OS X 10.7.3 Update 'CUI Error' Fixable in Many Cases with Combo Version

Following yesterday's release of OS X 10.7.3, a number of users in our forums and at Apple's discussion forums began reporting issues with the update. The most serious of these issues seems to be widespread crashing of apps generally accompanied by an artwork error in the crash notice window in which the window's buttons are replaced with graphics showing "CUI" and question marks.

cui 10 7 3
In general, users have found that applying the combo version of the OS X 10.7.3 update rather than the standard delta version typically offered via Software Update will fix the issues. The combo update can even be applied over an existing installation that is exhibiting the problem.

With the crashing issues perhaps causing users difficulties in applying the combo update to fix the problem, OS X Daily provides a nice summary of how this can be accomplished:

The simple formula is this:

- Download Mac OS X 10.7.3 Combo Updater (direct link)
- Run the 10.7.3 Combo Updater on top of the existing 10.7.3 installation
- Reboot

If you can’t get to the desktop of the Mac in question, you can boot it with Target Disk Mode (Firewire or Thunderbolt required), and then point the 10.7.3 Combo Update at the troubled Mac and install it that way. If your OS X installation is totally screwed up and you can’t use target disk mode, you have a few choices:

1. Restore from a recent pre-10.7.3 Time Machine backup, then install the Combo Updater
2. Boot from Recovery HD, a Recovery Drive, or Lion USB drive, and reinstall everything

Not the best situation, but hopefully you have recent Time Machine backups.

The report also notes that users who already updated and are unaffected by the issues but still concerned that there may still be issues lurking can back up their systems and simply install the combo version for peace of mind.

Update: 9to5Mac notes that Apple has put out a notice to a set of OS X 10.7.3 testers asking for feedback on the issue.

We would like to know if you have experienced an issue after updating to 10.7.3 characterized by the following: Applications crash or quit on launch, The term “CUI” and other graphic anomalies appear in dialogs and windows. If you have encountered this issue please submit a bug report. Be sure to include the following with your report: Install logs, system logs, a full System Report.

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Top Rated Comments

toddybody Avatar
175 months ago
Ahh, some Mac news. When Im old and sitting by the ol' thermal plasma unit, my grand children will ask me

"Grandpa Toddy, what was 'OH ESS TEN'?"

"Well, my little angels...that was a wonderful operating system they used before the great 'mobile OS wars'. Why, men and women could actually do things and be productive...it was incredible."

"Grandpa Toddy, that sounds crazy! You fought in the mobile OS wars didnt you?"

"Yes my dears, thats how Grandpa lost his typing skills. [I look off into the distance with tears in my eyes] Well, enough of that old talk, lets all grab moon ice cream!"

"Yay! Moon Ice Cream!"


That is the future my friends...
Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)
linux2mac Avatar
175 months ago
You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

Not entirely true.



:D
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thetexan Avatar
175 months ago
I can kind of understand bugs in Windows and Android, since they are developed to be used across all sorts of various hardware configurations. No way can the developers test out their software packages against the hundreds of thousands of possible hardware configurations out there.

However when the company controls both the hardware and the software, QA should catch these huge bugs before release.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Capt Underpants Avatar
175 months ago
Still holding off on Lion.

Get it right, Apple.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
175 months ago
Entirely true. How do you think the eggs got into the carton?

Not entirely true.



:D
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hikikomori9000 Avatar
175 months ago
You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

If Lion were an omelet, the omelet would be woodgrain-colored, the cheese would be on the outside, people with a frying pan over 4 years old wouldn't be able to make it - and those who could would end up throwing up the omelet every day upon waking.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)