OS X update flaw causes Java mayhem

A minor update to Mac OS X is causing headaches for some computer owners, who find their systems no longer work properly when using Java-based applications or visiting certain websites.

Apple Computer acknowledged the problem late on Monday and posted a workaround to its website.

"After updating to Mac OS X 10.3.9, some systems may have issues with Java applications and Java-enabled websites when using Safari," the Mac maker said in a posting to its support website. "Safari may unexpectedly quit, and standalone Java applications may unexpectedly quit or not launch."

An Apple representative said the company plans to keep the update available. As of Monday evening, it had not posted information alerting customers to the potential Java problem on the download page for the update. Apple released the OS update on Friday.

Among those hit by the bug were David Geller, CEO of Seattle-based email marketing company WhatCounts, who said it affected both his 15-inch PowerBook and a dual processor Power Mac G5.

"I found my entire Java development toolset stopped working right after applying 10.3.9," he said in an email interview. Geller termed the fault "an egregious error" and wondered how it slipped through Apple's testing.

"I sure hope Tiger is better than this release," he said, referring to the next major update to Mac OS X, which is set to go on sale on 29 April. "I really want to love this stuff, but [Apple is] testing my patience, especially since I've moved all my developers to OS X."

For those that are affected, Apple said the problem can be fixed by reinstalling two earlier security patches: Java 1.4.2 Update 2 and Security Update 2005-002.

Apple also offered up a test that people can do to see if their systems are affected by the issue. Customers should open the terminal program and type "java -version" and then hit return, it said. Computers affected by the issue will get the message "Segmentation fault".

Ina Fried writes for CNET News.com.