Tough one!
Ordinarily, when an issue clears up in safe mode I expect it to indicate that a startup app or extension is causing a conflict, but I've got no idea what's going on in your situation.
I've run into the "which update to install first" question more than once in the past, and if my memory serves me, I've always allowed Software Update to install the smorgasbord in whatever order it saw fit, and I"ve never run into any issues.
It'll be a bunch of work, but the logical approach appears to be installing the updates one at a time to see which one breaks your system. (I'd be inclined to install the security updates before the supplemental.)
Afterthought after rolling around my bed for a few hours: After installation, I'd first try to run the Combo, and if that's a go, I"d then run the security updates in chrono order, one at a time, to see where that leaves me.
Last edited by artie505; 12/05/20 03:16 PM. Reason: Afterthought
