OS Updates/Separate Apps partition...

[Tyger]

OK so I have a separate Apps partition.

When I did my 10.1.2 upgrade, I found some folders and gunk in my /Applications folder - leaving the applications in my Apps partition untouched. What can I do with these new files in /Applications to upgrade my applications in my Applications partition? (If I have to type "applications" one more time I'm gonna FREAK!)

Can I drag and drop to my <beep> partition? ;)

[HyperHerod]

*Maybe* you could try replacing that Applications folder with an alias (I mean shortcut) to your Applications partition. I don't know but by the sounds of it, when you tried to update, OS X hadn't realised that all your Applications aren't in their normal place. Maybe using a shortcut (alias?) would fix that up.

Herod

[hschickel]

As you've noticed, Apple's own installers do not respect a seperate partitions applications folder even if it is sym linked to the boot partition. This is obviously a problem - please file a bug report if you are an ADC member.

Solutions:

1. Manual - This update causes problems with 4 or 5 (I don't remember the exact number) packages.
(a) Full package installs - (these packages will work if you double click on them) - simply drag the packages to the applications or utitlities folder on your applications partition. Reset the permissions to owner: root rwx, group: admin rwx, everyone rx using Batchmod or your unix skills. If you move the packages via sudo ditto this will preserve the permissions and you will not have to worry about them.
(b)Partial package installs - (these packages will look like folders and not work if you double click on them) - this affects image capture, print center, and mail. - The updater left just pieces of these applications in your applications folder. You need to drag each piece to the appropriate location in each application. Keep opening folders until you can't open any more and then drag the individual pieces where they need to go. Fix the permissions as above on image capture and mail. Print center has some wacky permissions. Check these on the original application and update them to the original permissions as you go along. Again if you move items with sudo ditto you won't have permissions problems.

2. Automatic - download pacifist from version tracker and manually update the affected components. (I had problems doing this with an earlier beta - the latest is beta 4 and it seems to work with no issues now. - Please note that this application seems to choke if you try to update more than one item at a time.)

After applying the fixes you will of course have to delete the new applications folder and re-symlink to your applications partition. I would advise renaming and testing before deleting.

***Note: I've assumed users having this problem have a relatively high level of technical knowlege of the OSX system already. Please ask if you need specifics on any of the items mentioned.

Hugh

[Tyger]

Thanks guys,

I already have a "virtual link" to my Applications folder as per the hints on this site.

Hugh, you have hit the nail on the head with your comprehensive reply! Thanks so much.

It's the Mail, Printcentre and Image Capture situation for me!

That's great. I will sort it tonight.

Just shows this forum gets results!

[hschickel]

***Quick Warning

Mail.app and PrintCenter.app both have permissions and idbit issues (this does not just affect PrintCenter). sudo ditto to move the individual components or use the gui app X-Ray (http://www.versiontracker.com/moreinfo.fcgi?id=12103&db=mac) to track permissions and id bit settings if sudo ditto is not used. BatChmod may not go far enough to effectively move these two applications.

Apologies if this caused anyone any problems. (I'm not 100% sure about BatChmod and the more obscure unix bit settings - it may work and it may not - I need to test and don't have time to do it right now. Thus this post.)

Hugh

PS - In addition to Print Center and Mail; NetInfo Manager and DiskCopy may have this type of issue. They should only be moved in a way that respects the individual permissions of the various internal components.

[mervTormel]

i recommend leaving the vanilla OSX install alone.

as for mucking with it, that way lies madness.

[hschickel]

I think you've found your way to the loony bin.

ROFL - They're coming to take me away!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

:D

Hugh

[CharlesS]

Originally posted by hschickel
2. Automatic - download pacifist from version tracker and manually update the affected components. (I had problems doing this with an earlier beta - the latest is beta 4 and it seems to work with no issues now. - Please note that this application seems to choke if you try to update more than one item at a time.)

What problem are you having with beta 4, and what can you do to reproduce the problem that makes it "choke?"

Please send me a bug report in the future when you find a bug in my program, so that I can fix it. Checking my e-mail for bug reports is faster than searching all over the Internet for references to my program. :) Thanks!