8 Leopard Installation Problems And Solutions

Apple has released notes detailing eight installation problems, startup problems, and login problems one might experience when upgrading an existing system to Leopard.

So here's the deal: If you're planning on upgrading to Leopard, then it might be a good idea to check out each one of the tech notes to see if it applies to you before you start the installation process.

A little preemptive action now might save you hours of time and trouble down the road.

And if it's an older machine, it just might be a good idea to bite the bullet and do a clean erase and install. (After backing up your files, of course.)

Here's the list:

1. Problem: During installation destination volumes may not appear in the installer window for a while.
   Solution: Wait, do a file system check as per tech note.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
2. Problem: During installation the only available option may be Erase and Install.
   Solution: Repair drive and/or repartition drive.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
3. Problem: After upgrading to Leopard, an administator account may change to a standard one.
   Solution: Reset root password from installation DVD, login as root and assign administrative rights.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
4. Problem: After upgrading Leopard and restarting, a "blue screen" may appear.
   Solution: Remove third-party system extensions (APE). Do this BEFORE installing Leopard.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
5. Problem: After installing on an aluminum 20/24-inch iMac, you may not be able to log in at the login window.
   Solution: Reinstall Leopard using Archive and Install.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
6. Problem: Failure to log in with a user account with a password of 8 or more characters if it was created in Mac OS X 10.2.8 or earlier.
   Solution: Change to smaller passwords before installing. Otherwise...
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
7. Problem: Unable to log in to an account that has no password if originally created in Mac OS X 10.2.x.
   Solution: Don't use a blank password.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...
   
   
8. Problem: Setup Assistant unexpectedly appears each time Mac OS X 10.5 starts up.
   Solution: Do a "Safe Boot". Restart.
   Read the complete Apple tech note...

Oh, and if you do decide to do a clean install, and if you use Apple's .Mac Backup software, make sure that you upgrade first to Backup 3.1.2 before doing your backup. (Guess that's number nine.)

It's too bad this list wasn't around sooner, as it might have prevented my Leopard upgrade batting average from being a dismal two out of four...

[via Apple]