I've ran across this error numerous times in the past. (I may have brought this up here before) I have a machine here that has 10.7.0 on it and refuses to accept the 10.7.2 or 10.7.3 combo updaters. It puts up a yellow triangle and says the volume isn't eligible. This is what I would expect if I tried to select a volume with say, a newer version of 10.7 on it than the combo, or a different release like 10.6.

I have googled around repeatedly to try to figure out what exactly the installer is checking to determine the OS version, and found only numerous people with the same problem that all were forced to reinstall the OS. I know there are numerous places the version and build are at. The one I use is /System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist, and I suspect that's the one Apple expects apps to use, since they have kept it in text (not binary) plist format. But it's not what the installer is looking at.

Anyone happen to know?

Have you tried downloading the updaters as stand-alone .dmg files? And then tried installing same?

I prefer that method (rather than letting the updater do it). Actually, I have to do it that way since I don't have broadband/high-speed Internet connection; so I go a machine with T-base 100 or something similar, download the usually humongous update onto a flash drive, and then bring it home.

yes I am using the predownloaded images. I use them all the time here, it'd be crazy to be downloading the same 1.5gb updates all the time

I also noticed my downloaded 10.7.3 combo's certificate expired on the 23rd, haven't seen that before. tho I have seen it when the computer's clock is set wrong. I assume if I downloaded it again now it would have a new signature on it. (that had nothing to do with the problem)

I have reinstalled 10.7.0 on that one and it now accepts the 10.7.3 update.

On a few occasions I've seen a worse variation on the problem, where the base installer also refuses to run for apparently similar reasons. For THOSE, I have to set aside the system files and do a clean reinstall and import stuff, big hassle. So I'd really like to know what it's looking at.

In a few cases where app installs would not work, I had success if I then booted in to Safe Boot and ran the installer from there.

If desperate, it may be worth a try...

no dice. can't install while booted from another system.

Are you saying that Safe Mode is another system, or are you just being obscure about what you're trying to do?

I am surrounded by bootable service drives here, including a handful of flash drives. In this case I booted off another hard drive's 10.7.3 service partition and tried to run the 10.7.3 combo updater on the internal hard drive, and got the same results as when trying to run it whilst booted off the internal hard drive.

Unless you were suggesting that safe boot was needed while booted off another os?

> In this case I booted off another hard drive's 10.7.3 service partition and tried to run the 10.7.3 combo updater on the internal hard drive, and got the same results as when trying to run it whilst booted off the internal hard drive.

I think Harv was suggesting that you try to install the Combo on the internal hard drive while it was booted into Safe Mode.

Any messages in the Console about the problem?

heh, I feel kinda silly for not having checked that now... *blush*

maybe next time...

Precisely.

Maybe it has nothing to with "version' but rather some other impediment.

Yet another reason for tacit's Console suggestion, I'm sure.

i didn't indicate otherwise. (did i?)

Indeed you didn't. But did you have your coffee/tea/favorite drink today?

Apropos of that, Hal's last few posts (over a week ago) were pretty grumpy, and now he's disappeared; I hope he's OK.

I sure noticed his absence, and wondered if he's already on his annual Nordic retreat (everything being rather early this year).

I sure hope so, and not a minute too soon, albeit early.