Network apps crashing after 10.4.7 update

Question

Several apps that access Network functions are now crashing on my TiBook. I was running the update and I tried plugging in my new phone via USB... when I did that my system crashed. I worry that may have f'd up my system. I'm yet to try to reinstall my system... hopefully I won't have to.
Currently Software Update crashes, Safari crashes, Adium crashes, Dashboard crashes.... Luckily Firefox runs or I couldn't be writing this message.
Any ideas.. anything I can trash and replace... any ideas anyone could over would be much obliged.
Oh... I tried reinstalling the 10.4.7 update again from a download. That also crashed.
{sigh}
Thanks.
sean

Answer 1

Since Firefox works and Safari doesn't, it's almost for sure a munged plist, as Firefox doesn't use the System ones, but Safari and other Apple Apps do.
Hopefully you fixed permissions already.
Try just making a new user to isolate whether the problem is in Users or Syste/Library.
I'd start with trashing "/Users/xxxx/Library/Preferences/com.apple.internetconnect.plist"... or...
Try trashing "/Library/Preferences/com.apple.sharing.firewall.plist".
If that doesn't work try "/Users/xxxx/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist".
Then "/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist"