My MacBook Pro OS X 10.5.3 cannot perform software update

Question

My MacBook Pro OS X 10.5.3 cannot perform software update. Installation freezes at "configuring installation" stage. I have tried installing OS X 10.5.4, 10.5.6, and 10.5.8 combos. Disk utility says my HD is OK. ???????

Answer 1

Greetings,
If you haven't done so already, backup all your important data: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553
Unplug any peripherals (printers, hard drives, cameras etc.) from the computer leaving only the power cord.
Try repairing disk permissions if you haven't already: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1452
Put your computer into Safe Boot: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455 -- STOP -- Check your available hard drive space while in  Safe Boot.  If you do not have at least 10 GB free (and really more is better) then you need to free up some space (copy movies off to an external drive, delete the 30 GB of music you never listen to, etc.)  If you have 10 or more GB available on disk proceed.
Install the Mac OS X 10.5.8 combo update while still in Safe Boot.
If you still can't install try reseting the PRAM (very occasionally disk cacheing issues can prevent large installations for succeeding): http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
If the issue persists at this point and you have plenty of free hard drive space then your next step would be an Archive and Install: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710 -- You want a backup for safekeeping before you do this (see step 1)
Hope that helps.