Mac Menu not working after updated to 10.6.2

Question

Strange behavior after I updated my Macbook 13" to Snow Leopard 10.6.2. Whenever Apple own software crash (not responding), e.g. Finder, iTunes, iPhoto etc, all the functions under the Apple icon (top right) in menu bar no longer work. As such I can't shutdown or restart my mac. Pressing the power button will not work as well. I either have to force shutdown (press the power button for few seconds) or use terminal to fire "sudo halt" command to shutdown, which takes longer than usual to shutdown, few minutes. In fact after I updated to 10.6.2, Apple software is prone to crash. Running disk utility repair disk permission and repair disk does not fix any of the above problem. I am reluctant to do a fresh install. Anyone facing the same problem? Any solution? Or should I wait for the next update release?
Please help.

Answer 1

HI,
*"repair disk does not fix any of the above problem"*
If Disk Utility reported errors, did you repair them?
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
*(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)*
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window. Where you see Capacity and Available. *Make sure there is always 10% to 15% free disk space*
Might be a good idea to run the Apple Hardware Test just in case, go here.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2684
Try downloading and installing the 10.6.2 combo update here.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL959
Then repair disk permissions.
Quit any open applications/programs. Launch Disk Utility. (Applications/Utilities) Select MacintoshHD in the panel on the left, select the FirstAid tab. Click: Repair Disk Permissions. When it's finished from the Menu Bar, Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac. If you see a long list of "messages" in the permissions window, it's ok. That can be ignored. As long as you see, "Permissions Repair Complete" when it's finished... you're done. Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac.
Deleting the com.apple.systemiuserver.plist file should fix the Status Menu Bar issue as "donv (The Ghost)" suggests.
One last thing... please click My Settings on the right side of this window and update your forum profile. Thanks!
Carolyn