Strange 10.13.6 update

[DaveWT]

I did the update to 10.13.6 today (from 10.13.5). It seemed like a very strange process this time and wonder if anyone else experiences anything like this.

Caution: Before you attempt this, make sure you have done a backup! Also be prepared to keep your hands off and let it finish!

What I describe below is as accurate as I can recall - not guaranteed to be 100% what happened...

1. From the Mac App store I went to "updates" where it told me there was an iTunes update. When I clicked on "more" to get the full details, ONLY THEN did it reveal there was also the macOS update. I clicked on "Update All".

2. A long download process followed (it indicated 1.59 GB) but after that completed the computer restarted and after a very quick progress bar I was presented with the full log on screen showing all my user accounts as choices. I selected my account and entered the password. At this point the App Store updates screen showed that the 1.59 GB was starting to download again but this soon aborted, my normal apps opened up on the desktop (calendar etc.) followed by another restart.

3. This time a very slow progress bar appeared, grew to about ¼" long, and then backed up to about ⅛" long (I have never noticed a backup like this before) and then continued. Then there was an fairly long period where the screen went totally blank.

4. Next a quick progress bar started again, followed by another very long totally black screen.

5. Next was another slow progress bar. Another backup where the bar shortened and then proceeded. Finally "Installing: About 40 minutes remaining" This proceeded down to about "17 minutes remaining" until this information disappeared from the screen.

6. Eventually it was replaced by "Completing Installation: About 15 minutes remaining"

7. When this elapsed I was presented with the single log in box for my own user account - not the choice between all my user accounts as in step 2. I logged in and all appears well.

So as I stressed, just avoid messing with it while it is doing all this and hopefully your update will be successful too. It was the initial stages where the download seemed to start again that really surprised me. I have never seen that before.

Dave

 

[DaveWT]

First, a correction to what I just posted. The Mac App Store did, in fact, give an indication that both iTunes and macOS would be updated initially. I hadn't read it thoroughly, and discovered I had missed this when I went to update my wife's MacBook Pro after my experience with my iMac earlier.

The process on the MacBook Pro was somewhat different. There was no silliness about trying to download the update a 2nd time.

It reported that it was "Installing software update: About 3 minutes" followed by a slow progress bar and then a black screen.

Then another slow progress bar which again moved backwards after a bit and then resumed. "Installation is in progress: Calculating..." followed by another black screen.

Then a fast progress bar to about mid point and then slow. The screen went black and after AN HOUR I closed the lid and reopened it to restart if that would help. I was relieved to see another progress bar.

"Installing: About 36 minutes remaining"

After waiting it out I was presented with my wife's login screen (not the login screen for multiple user accounts) just as I had experienced. All appears well.

So the process was different and disturbing in both instances. I have never experienced this in years of doing OS updates on various machines.

Perhaps best to wait a week or so and see if Apple pulls this update and re-releases it?

 

[chas_m]

I recall that it took quite a while as well. I suspect that the reason you saw the multiple reboots/black screens/progress bars is because iTunes has to install system components as well, and sometimes requires a restart -- so the first faster set was probably iTunes, and it then went on automatically to do 10.13.6.

In any event, no problems at all once the update was completed, at least here -- and it sounds like yours is doing fine too.

 

[DaveWT]

Yes, both my iMac and my wife's MacBook Pro are working perfectly since their updates finally completed, I am happy to report.

 

[DaveS]

After seeing your post, I was expecting to do an update tonight on my wife's iMac, and when I went to the app store, it said no updates. Her computer is running 10.13.5 Still too close to the bleeding edge?

I got a notification on my MBP earlier that the update was available.

Odd.

Dave

 

[DaveWT]

Not sure why her computer wouldn't offer 10.13.6
If it is capable of running 10.13.5 it should certainly also run 10.13.6

Possibly just wait a day or so and try again.

 

[ve7dfi]

Re: Strange 10.13.6 update and s-l-o-w open after sleep

Seems that after update to this version few days ago, it takes a longer time to open after sleep. opening can be 5 or 10 seconds if sleeping for long time, short if only short sleeps.
Do I have problem, or 'puter only mimicking me? :roll:

 

[chas_m]

Re: Strange 10.13.6 update and s-l-o-w open after sleep

Seems that after update to this version few days ago, it takes a longer time to open after sleep. opening can be 5 or 10 seconds if sleeping for long time, short if only short sleeps.
Do I have problem, or 'puter only mimicking me? :roll:

I haven't noticed any change in sleep/wake time, but I have an SSD in my machine and perhaps APFS (the new disk format optimized for SSD) takes a bit longer with hard drives (if you are using one). Otherwise, you might consider using OnyX to perform a maintenance run; can't hurt, might help.

 

[DaveWT]

Re: Strange 10.13.6 update and s-l-o-w open after sleep

I haven't noticed any change in sleep/wake time, but I have an SSD in my machine and perhaps APFS (the new disk format optimized for SSD) takes a bit longer with hard drives (if you are using one).

Is APFS available now for hard drive equipped Macs? I must have missed that announcement if it is.

Dave

 

[chas_m]

Re: Strange 10.13.6 update and s-l-o-w open after sleep

Is APFS available now for hard drive equipped Macs? I must have missed that announcement if it is.

Dave

I thought it was now, but I went back to check and discovered it is currently supportingly only "fusion" drives in the present developer betas. A Fusion Drive is of course mostly a hard drive, but it's not currently a standard feature and there's no word yet about support for standalone (regular) hard disks at present, so I stand corrected.

 

[DaveWT]

Well I have a fusion drive in my 2017 iMac, but if the support for the new file system on such drives has only made it to the betas, I guess I will be waiting a while longer... I am usually an early adopter, but I think on that feature I will let a few other fusion drive users try it out for awhile after it hits the release version.