[OS X TeX] [OT] Fwd: Problem with Mathematica 5.2 on G5 Macintosh Systems

[Ross Moore]

Hi all,

This is off-topic, but may be a warning for some people on
this list to *not* apply the latest G5 system Security Update.

If you have already done so and are experiencing problems
with some apps, then here's the reason.


Cheers,

     Ross


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Wolfram Research <support at wolfram.com>
> Date: 17 August 2005 8:03:23 AM
> To: ross at ics.mq.edu.au
> Subject: Problem with Mathematica 5.2 on G5 Macintosh Systems
>
>
> ** Important notification for users of G5 Macintosh systems running  
> OS X 10.4 **
>
> At approximately 8 p.m. PDT on Monday, August 15, Apple began
> automatic distribution of Apple Security Update 2005-007 for Mac
> OS X 10.4.2 (Tiger).
>
> Due to an error on the part of Apple, this update prevents any
> 64-bit-native application from running. In particular, this means
> that Mathematica 5.2 will not run on any G5 system if it has
> installed this Security Update.
>
> This problem was discovered by our testing procedures a few hours
> ago, and Apple has now assured us that they have stopped
> automatic distribution of Security Update 2005-007 at this time.
>
> If you did not install Security Update 2005-007, then you will
> not be affected. If your Mathematica 5.2 successfully launches
> and performs any computation (such as 2+2), then this also means
> that you have not been affected.
>
> If you have been affected, then Mathematica 5.2 will generate a
> MathLink error when you try to do any computation with it. (If
> you run MathKernel directly from the command line, it will crash
> at startup.)
>
> Apple has informed us that there is no workaround for this
> problem.
>
> Apple is investigating the problem at high priority, and intends
> to distribute a new Security Update in the very near future. This
> update will correct the problem and allow Mathematica to run
> successfully.
>
> To run Mathematica 5.2 today, you must temporarily disable its
> 64-bit capabilities. You can do this by running the following
> commands in the Terminal:
>
> cd /Applications/Mathematica\ 5.2.app/Contents/MacOS
> cp MathKernel MathKernel.bak
> lipo MathKernel.bak -remove ppc64 -output MathKernel
>
> If you are unable to run the script above, an alternative is to
> use an earlier version of Mathematica. The problem with Apple
> Security Update 2005-007 affects only 64-bit applications;
> Mathematica 5.2 is the first 64-bit-native version of
> Mathematica.
>
> Note that when Apple has made the corrected Security Update
> available, and you have installed it, you must reverse the
> procedure above by running the following commands:
>
> cd /Applications/Mathematica\ 5.2.app/Contents/MacOS
> mv MathKernel.bak MathKernel
>
> If you do not do run these commands, Mathematica will not operate
> in optimized native 64-bit mode.
>
>
> We regret the inconvenience caused by this problem, and hope that
> as soon as Apple has corrected the problem you will continue to
> enjoy the outstanding performance of Mathematica on 64-bit
> Macintosh systems.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> The Technical Support Team
> Wolfram Research, Inc.
>
> P.S. Should you require further technical support for this problem,
> Apple has informed us that you should contact them through
> http://www.apple.com/contact/phone_contacts.html
>

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ross Moore                                         ross at maths.mq.edu.au
Mathematics Department                             office: E7A-419
Macquarie University                               tel: +61 +2 9850 8955
Sydney, Australia  2109                            fax: +61 +2 9850 8114
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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