Apple released the OS X 10.8.3 Mountain Lion update, but for some users installing the updates is not as smooth as it should be.

Most Mountain Lion users did not face any troubles with the new update, but there are always some unlucky users who run into some issues when trying to upgrade. Things can't always go smoothly for everyone, but everything has a solution.

The most common issue so far, affecting a small number of users, is a instance where the update seems to install at first but then gives an "Update Failed" message, along with an option to restart the system. After a restart, the system will report it is still running the previous OS X 10.8.2, while any subsequent attempts to install the update will cause the App Store to crash.

The first step toward bypassing this inconvenience is clearing any downloaded files from the App Store cache to see whether this caused the crash. To do this, go to the Terminal utility and run the "open $TMPDIR../C" command (without quotation marks) to load the system's caches directory. When the Finder window pops up, find the folder called "com.apple.appstore" and remove it, then re-launch the application. App Store should now launch successfully, without crashing.

This means users can either try installing the update again, or try downloading the Combo updater for OS X 10.8.3 and applying the updates manually. The Combo covers all files changed since OS X 10.8.0. The Software Update service on the system, meanwhile, only takes the files needed on top of the currently installed OS X version and it may skip a couple of files, which may in turn cause the problem.

According to CNET, of the Combo updater will still not install it may be a solution to clear system caches, check HDD setups and manage any temporary configurations, then trying to install the update again.

If all else fails, a last option is to reinstall OS X and update afterward. To do this, reboot the system holding the Command + R keys to load the OS X Recovery Tools. Select the reinstall option and follow the instructions to download and install a fresh Mountain Lion OS. Running Software Update or applying the Combo updater should now get things up to date.

The "Update Failed" message is the most prominent issue, but the same steps may be applied for other issues with the latest OS X 10.8.3 update. Those using Boot Camp with the latest update should make sure to update the Boot Camp drivers as well.

For more information on reported problems with the OS X 10.8.3 Mountain Lion update installation check out this thread on Apple's forum or this thread on MacRumors' forum.