Browsers 'open' but do not respond after system reload

Question

safari and internet explorer both exhibit similar behavior, not completely opening. Neither opens a window, and both fail to respond after posting command menu (file, edit, view, etc). force-quit is required to close.
this was all initiated by a software update during which multiple updates were installed.
immediatley after updates (starting with OS 10.3.9) I could not access the OS, as the startup would hang as it attempted to display the User Login window.
I reinstalled OS 10.3.3 from the original system disks.
- The internet connection is good (mail, iTunes connect just fine).
- The DNS server address definition is correct
- I created a test user account, same problem.
- Console shows the following text; 'Safari[359]* -[WebPreferences privateBrowsingEnabled]; selector not recognized
thanks in advance for your thoughts.
12" G4 pwrbk   Mac OS X (10.3.3)  

Answer 1

Hello Jim55 & Hawiian_Starman,
Before you repair permissions, run Software Update to get OS X to 10.3.9. Then follow Eme's helpful suggestions to remedy the Disk Utility error, which Apple hasn't addressed yet.
No, I think the OS 10.3.9 Combined Update should come AFTER the fix on the Disk Utility via removing the said files.
Since in my opinion and others, Disc permission repair should be run before an OS update and all Apple Updates.
Running on os 10.3.9, I have found permissions change often enough to warrant permission repair before the update.as well as after.
This issue makes it impossibe to run Disk permission repair .Therefore the
removal of the files should be first, NOT 2nd imo
Which lead to this thread i386 of personal experience and the little itunes helper most tout to put back.
Trashing it on 10.3.9 is the better idea, it will find its way back into Start up Items. as it did on mine.
I have trashed the itunes Helper it makes no difference in my ablitiy to buy music, play it or affect my iTunes Library.
Look for this in your Console, Jim if you don't remove it.
: for architecture i386 object: ./Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Resources/iTunesHelper.app/Contents/MacOS/iT unesHelper malformed object (unknown flavor for flavor number 0 in LC_UNIXTHREAD command 13 can't byte swap it)
An apple discussion topic on can't repair permission and really a myriad of other post in regards I need not include.
Regards,
Eme:'~[ )