Error mess software updates -installer could not install some files in "/"

Question

I get this message regardless of the software update. Just started today. Has anyone else had this issue? If so, any idea how to fix. Thanks so much in advance!

Answer 1

There may be an error in the computer's directory, requiring a repair; some kinds
of errors or damage to the data in the hard drive are not responsive to attempts
to use the booted Disk Utility version on the OS X Installer disc #1, and while it
may be worth a try to see if that Disk Utility could at least give it a go, the usual
kinds of third party disk utilities (if this is the case, a directory error or damage)
would be along the lines of DiskWarrior, to rebuild or replace a directory.
The slashmark / usually indicates the mount point, of the internal main hard disk
drive partition used by the OS X. So, there may be other reasons why the update
installer does not appear to be working correctly or at all in this matter.
I've not seen such an error message before; but for general maintenance and
before any issues would arise, I try and do preventative maintenance; to include
startup in SafeBoot (shift key held until login screen) and then run Disk Utility to
'repair disk permissions' on Macintosh HD; then when done, note repair logs.
And restart the computer normally. {Also, I have & use Titanium Software OnyX
in its Automation mode every month or two; and choose all checkboxes. This
is also set to automatically restart when the tasks are completed. + It is free.}
To start the computer from the Installer disc and run Disk Utility from there,
involves holding the C key on restart with the OS X install disc #1 in the
optical drive; and when in the Installer, often a second window where there
is a main Installer menu bar, there are drop-down menus from clickable words
across the top bar. Various options are there, and Disk Utility is among them.
This version of Disk Utility can be used to repair disk, repair disk permissions,
and also there are other more active tools among its utility features. This is an
installer, too; with options of several kinds. The Utility can also reformat, etc.
So be careful in what you choose to run. The repair disk and repair permissions
are both ones that may be a bit helpful, at least in the process of elimination.
If the directory is bad, a retail DiskWarrior utility may need to be purchased from
a Mac-friendly vendor; be sure that DW version covers your OS X system level.
Good luck & happy computing!