Apple updates cause headache for some

Dozens of users are reporting problems with Apple's latest updates, which appear to be centered around one or more startup items. A lengthy discussion on Apple's threads indicates that latest round of Apple updates, including QuickTime 7.1 and the latest security update, appear to cause random freezes after startup--especially on Intel-based Macs. The problem has been localized to some startup items such as Adobe Version Cue and users suggest removing the startup items from the startup folder (users can disble startup items by pressing shift after the bootup chime), while others have had success by reinstalling the operating system using Mac OS X's Archive and Install command, which will allow users to return to relatively familiar state (with all applications and documents still available). Others, however, have resorted to a clean install of a new operating system to resolve the problems. [updated]