Patch 3.3.3a should fix issues for some Mac users
by Allison Robert 
Mar 26th 2010 at 7:00PM
S4d1K -- 3.3.3 Known Issues for Mac playersWe are aware of 2 critical bugs that are affecting users with specific configurations.
#1 PowerPC G4/G5 users get disconnected after login.
#2 Users with a MacBook Pro GeForce 8600M and 10.4.11 crashes after entering the world.
We are very sorry and we are working on these issues and hope to fix them as soon as possible.
UPDATE 5:10pm:
We have a fix for both issues but it will require a client patch. We don't have an ETA for now.
UPDATE 3/24 12:15pm:
We are currently testing a patch. We want to make sure that we do not break the game for another group of people. We are doing everything to release this patch as soon as possible.
#1 PowerPC G4/G5 users get disconnected after login.
#2 Users with a MacBook Pro GeForce 8600M and 10.4.11 crashes after entering the world.
We are very sorry and we are working on these issues and hope to fix them as soon as possible.
UPDATE 5:10pm:
We have a fix for both issues but it will require a client patch. We don't have an ETA for now.
UPDATE 3/24 12:15pm:
We are currently testing a patch. We want to make sure that we do not break the game for another group of people. We are doing everything to release this patch as soon as possible.
The patch in question is (we think) 3.3.3a. With the patch, many of the affected users are now reporting that WoW is playable again, but while monitoring the official thread on the issue, it's apparent that a lot of players are still having problems. We had several people drop comments on Adam's earlier post on the mini-patch -- did 3.3.3a work for you?
Filed under: Bugs, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Malkavos Mar 26th 2010 7:05PM
I've got an older Macbook Pro, one of the systems in question, and just had my first freeze up post 3.3.3a. Funny thing is, I hadn't had one in a while.
Matt Mar 26th 2010 7:23PM
I don't have a mac, but this patch has definitely thrown me for a loop. Blizz has yet to address (as far as I know) the issue causing my game to freeze for infinity when i try to log in on a character who was logged out in either a major city or BC content. It's a problem that just showed up post-patch, has been plaguing me to no end, and won't go away no matter what suggested DIY fixes I try that are floating out in the interwebz, even the generic Blizz ones.
needless to say, im about a hair away from going elvis on my computer.
wtb revolver and fried peanut butter and banana sandwich
LenteP Mar 26th 2010 7:33PM
Same thing here by the sound of it, not a Mac user but still loading screen freeze completely after it has gone to 100%. Although, if i first close and then simply restart the game client it works fine again... But yea, annoying as hell and it started first time for me when i first logged on after patch 3.3.3.
Valarauko Mar 26th 2010 8:35PM
I'm having the exact same problem. I actually experienced it on the PTR a couple weeks back as well, with my copied main. I've tried deleting the cache, disabling add-ons, all that stuff....no dice.
Noid Mar 26th 2010 7:25PM
I play on a macbook pro. I froze at login screen many many times. Also the video seems darker, i had to raise my alpha.
Voxxa Mar 26th 2010 7:31PM
Wishing we would get some kind of official response other than 'disable all your addons and delete your cache folder' for all of the people (PC users mostly it seems) who have been getting stuck on the loading screen since 3.3.3 dropped. I have to log in twice when I want to play. 3.3.3a did not fix this.
Tech forums thread:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=23767164132&sid=1
Bikhai Mar 26th 2010 7:37PM
I generally have disconnect/internet crash issues after patches (from what I've read, it's due to the deletion and subsequent reloading of my item cache file each patch), so I tend to keep one character in a low population area around patch time so I don't get bombarded with items (people and their armor) and have my internet crash. Usually I only have to do this till my item cache gets to around 1.5mb, but this time around I'm still dcing on login in Org with my item cache at 2mb.
Running Snow Leopard, so I'm not sure if they fixed Tiger and broke SL or what, but hopefully it gets fixed.
Kal Mar 26th 2010 7:42PM
Still had problems after the patch, so finally gave up and upgraded to Leopard, been on the fence for a while now but the time it's taken to get a working fix out for Tiger users was the last straw.
Frank Mar 26th 2010 7:42PM
i'm on an older MBP too, and i froze about 6 or 7 times (hard freeze, requiring a forced shutdown of my entire computer and a reboot to log in). it only happened in dalaran and once in wintergrasp at the end, when we had made it to the central courtyard in front of the doors where the orb is kept. when i wasn't in either of those places, i had no trouble -- in stormwind, in instances, etc.... weirdness. i'm glad to see it wasn't just me, though.
Justin Mar 26th 2010 7:51PM
I use my old MBP sometime to play wow. What I've noticed is post patch it keeps resetting the Config.wtf file. If I ad the SET gxapi "OpenGL" it will start fine (usually) but as soon as I quit and log off it's gone... So you might want to check that out.
Palinor Mar 26th 2010 7:46PM
was wondering why i was getting freezes in instances and raids.
now fix my fishing pole so my line is +5 again and not +2 like it is now.
Azizrael Mar 26th 2010 8:37PM
I'm on a Vista machine. The first time I log in to a character is fine, but if I log out to switch toons, 9 times out of 10 it hangs on the load screen and I have to ALT-F4 and restart the client.
arrowrest Mar 26th 2010 8:44PM
Any Mac user that did not have an Intel-based Mac or Snow Leopard installed has been unable to log into the game since patch 3.3.3 came out on Tuesday. So, yes it was a painful three days for many. The minor patch today did indeed fix the "disconnected from server" message that would appear after logging in. However, some people experienced the "unable to validate game" message when logging in after 3.3.3a. The fix for that was to remove the Cache, Interface, WTF and then everything was back to normal for log-in.
Just an aside, but a lot of PC users have also experienced various disconnect problems as well and blue poster Radoslawn has stated that these issues are more severe and that the devs are still working on another patch to solve these problems for affected PC users.
Task Mar 26th 2010 8:50PM
Hopefully they can make a statement regarding loading screens being frozen @ 100% with the iPhone authenticator active, it's happening to me and it's frustrating for me as a PC user.
Amak Mar 26th 2010 10:46PM
I don't have an authenticator and it happens to me too. And although some people attest it only happens to those toons parked in Dalaran, I have it happen on most toons, wherever they are, on first log in. Tabbing out, closing the client and trying again I usually get in.
There are several factors that make it harder to pin down after a patch. The itemcache file is purged and needs to be rebuilt, the achievements and other database elements that have been altered are mostly only updated the first time a toon is logged on.
But my toons have already been logged on more than once and I still get the 100% splash hang. It is likely a client bug and affects many users.
Duart of Exidor Mar 26th 2010 9:29PM
well it did not help me on 2 different macs a loaded Mac Book pro a week old and a Mac Pro with a new 4870 video card both running 10.6.2
the client will freeze (hang) when ever train is selected at either a class or profession trainer
The only way out is a force quit but when you launch and log back in the requested spell or other thing that you were attempting to train has in fact been put on your toon. the rest is all running fine so I can play my 80 main with no problems as his training days are behind him for now but levelling my alts is now very slow as every even numbered level results in several rounds of Train- hang-force quit- launch- login- and over again
Marita Mar 26th 2010 10:55PM
I can't even try the patch, because of the "can't create xxx.temp file" error -.-
the worst part is that official forums say "reinstal the game" to fix it
but I can't do it, because then I would have to download WOTLK again -.-
Marita Mar 26th 2010 11:03PM
Well, I fixed it :)
used the file "wow.exe" insted of repair, updater or the patch file :)
Thorto Mar 27th 2010 1:15AM
I use a mac and have other issues, like when i try to take a video with the ingame video recorder it just quits the game instantly. And in random dungeons whenever we kill somebody i have a 2 second lag. Whats up with that? I hope Blizz will fix thease issues and stop ignoring my bug reports!
koalapunk Mar 27th 2010 10:22AM
3.3.3a did not fix all of the Mac issues, and some of those issues affect Intel chip Macs running Leopard. I'm seeing fewer problems with 3.3.3a than 3.3.3, but switching toons is still apt to freeze with the loading screen at 100%.