Macfixit Guide to Installing an Upgrade like 10.4.8

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Update procedure recommendation We recommend the following procedure when installing Mac OS X 10.4.8.
First, avoid performing any other operations (in Mac OS X or third-party applications) while the update process is occurring. In addition, before installing this security update, make sure all Apple-installed applications and utilities are in their original locations. Moving one of these applications to a different location on your hard drive can lead to an incomplete update. Also, disconnect any FireWire/USB devices before applying Mac OS X 10.4.8 (except for your startup drive, if it is FireWire or USB, and your keyboard/mouse), then re-connect the devices one by one (checking for issues created by any particular device) after the update process is complete and the system has restarted.
Also, note that the first restart after applying Mac OS X 10.4.8 may be abnormally long. Subsequent restarts should take place at normal speed.
Common workarounds If you have problems after applying the delta (standard, smaller) update, try the following common workarounds:
Delete kernel extension caches, other caches for some issues A number of common issues that crop up after incremental Mac OS X updates can be resolved by deleting specific cache files -- specifically kernel extension caches -- and restarting.
This can most easily be accomplished with a shareware utility like Tiger Cache Cleaner, but also bears a manual process which involves dragging the following files to the trash:
com.apple.kernelcaches (a folder in /System/Library/Caches)
Extensions.kextcache (a file in /System/Library)
Extensions.mkext (a file in /System/Library/)
com.apple.ATS (a folder in /Library/Caches/)
Files that start with com.apple.LaunchServices (in /Library/Caches)
You will be prompted to enter your administrator password when dragging these files to the trash. You may need to restart after moving them to the trash.
Re-apply the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater A workaround that has proved successful for various problems caused by previous incremental Mac OS X updaters is re-application of the current combination updater(PowerPC or Intel). Doing so overwrites potentially problem-causing files that were not replaced by the "Delta" (adjacent version-to-version) update.
Re-apply the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater from an alternate startup volume
Download and save the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater (PowerPC or Intel).
Startup from an alternate boot volume, such as an external FireWire drive, or use another Mac to boot the problematic system in FireWire target disk mode (connect the two machines via a FireWire cable, and boot the target [problematic] system while holding down the "T" key)
Once booted from an alternate drive, select the problematic volume in the Finder, and "Get Info" -- either by pressing the Command-I keyboard combination or accessing the "Get Info" option in the File menu. Check the box marked "Ignore ownership permissions on this volume."
If you have a third-party disk repair utility like DiskWarrior, use it to re-build the directory on the problematic volume (this step may not be necessary)
Re-install the Mac OS X 10.4.8 combo updater on the problematic drive.
Re-attempt booting from the problematic volume (hold down the option key at startup to select the desired drive)
Downgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.7 If you are experiencing severe, seemingly insoluble issues after the update, you can revert to Mac OS X 10.4.7 per the instructions:
Mini-Tutorial: Reverting to an earlier version of Mac OS X
When problems materialize in conjunction with an incremental update to Mac OS X, and all known workarounds have failed, or a critical issue appears that must be resolved immediately, it may be necessary to perform a reversion process and backpedal to the prior incremental version.
The process is somewhat time-consuming and will require you to restore some previous settings, but relatively straightforward. Also, note that you will need to be using Mac OS X 10.2.x or later for this process.
First, make a backup of your current Mac OS X installation, problematic as it may be. If there is a problem along the way, your valuable data will be safely intact in its current form.
Next, you'll need to perform an Archive and Install process to remove all of your current Mac OS X version's vital (and potentially problem-causing) components, and replace them with the components of a fresh copy provided by the Mac OS X disc that shipped with your system, or a retail Mac OS X disc. Unfortunately, this means you will lose some system settings and some or all third-party system add-ons.
To begin the process, insert your Mac OS X CD or DVD, as indicated above. Restart your machine and hold down the "C" key to boot from the newly inserted disc. Follow the on-screen instructions, and after accepting the license agreement, click "Options." Select "Archive and Install," and check the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option if you'd like to do so.
After the installation process is complete, you will be left with an earlier version of Mac OS X that (hopefully) does not suffer from the problems generated by the incremental Mac OS X update in question. However, you will likely want to bring your installation back up to the point of revision right before you started having problems. For instance, if you updated to Mac OS X 10.3.4 and began experiencing problems, you probably want to re-situate your system at Mac OS X 10.3.3. This simply requires re-applying the appropriate Mac OS X combo updater.
Various updates, back through Mac OS X Combo Update 10.2.5, are available from Apple's Support Download page.
Restore your settings and appropriate third-party software, and you will find your system with approximately the same status as prior to the problematic incremental update.
Your old system will be stored in folder called "Previous Systems" at the root level of your startup volume. If you would later like to delete this folder, you may need to change its permissions.

Answer 1

awesome! I'll give that a try almost immediately!
hope i can solve my "blinking qestion mark folder" issue that way ...