" Hi Mike... there's a fix available for the corruption seen in Apple DVD Player with the Radeon 9700/9800 cards with OS X 10.3.3.
http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/4539.html
(links to a driver hotfix download)

There's also a fix for GL/Rave games in OS 9.2.1 and OS 9.2.2 (particularly for the Combat Mission games I believe).
http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/4380.html
(notes for 8500/9000 cards and ATI Mobility 9000 graphics chips)
Cheers, Ben "

" As an experiment, I bought an AirlinkPlus+ gigabit card from Fry's. It only costs about $20. It uses the RealTek chipset and the driver from their website works with 10.3. I've got it installed in a 450MHz BW G3 Mac and it works fine except that the processor can't push data fast enough to realize gigabit speeds.
Tan T. "

Of course other network components (switches, hubs, etc.) can also limit performance. (Many home users are probably not going to have GigaBit rated switches, etc.). Also the 33MHz PCI slots of the B&W G3s historically have had lower than expected performance with controller cards. (Using the 66MHz slot was a common tip - that's assuming the card he has is 66MHz PCI slot compatible.)
See the earlier news item below for the RealTek driver download page.
Another reader sent a note about a ($30 list) Asante gigabit card that reportedly uses the same Realtek chip.

" Asante has a new PCI gigabit card (supported in Windows only).
http://www.asante.com/products/adapters/GN2032T/index.html
However, I found this in their "unsupported driver" readme:

"This document describes the procedure to setup the NetWare v3.X , v4.X workstation driver for REALTEK RTL8169 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Adapter."

I don't own this card personally, but if it is an RTL8169 based device I would imagine that it will work with the driver mentioned on your site earlier today.
Jim "

The specs on the card note it's 33MHz/66MHz PCI compatible. If anyone tries this card with the realtek drivers let me know.

" Hi Mike:
This is the link:
http://homepage.mac.com/creativemail/FileSharing40.html

For a MuVo, you want the MuVo Helper. For any of the hard drive based players, you want the Nomad Installer. The Nomad installer will allow any of the Jukebox players from the original blue one all the way up to the Zen Xtra to work with iTunes.
The .dmg creates an actual installer which runs and drops a file into the iTunes Plugin folder. This program was actually developed by Creative, but only released for a week. i got permission to maintain the file, and it is allowed to be mirrored to other sites. The Nomad Plugin will only allow you to load music from iTunes. You can upload it to PC though.

The Nomad MuVo's all work with iTunes without a driver, but the resource fork leaves behind the ._filename.mp3 files which mess up the player since it is only looking at the file extension to see if it can play the file. The MuVo helper was written by Chuck Bennett to intercept the eject command, and then erase all of the ._filename.mp3 files from the player before ejecting. It works with the original MuVo (which is also now the WalMart SKU), MuVo NX, and the TravelSound MP3.

I have been trying to get my hands on a MuVo^2 (Squared), MuVo TX, a MuVo Slim, and a Rhomba for testing, but have not been able to thus far. I think they should work without a problem though. I am actually talking with Creative to get them to license the MuVo helper from Chuck.

The MuVo helper .dmg file will unpack the application. You then drag and drop the application from the mounted image to the applications folder. The first time you run the app, you will get a little icon in the menu bar that lets you know it is active. It automatically loads on startup from then on. If they decide they do not want the app anymore, they click the icon to quit, and then throw away the app. It is self repairing too. If they accidentally run the app from the mounted image, they quit the file, then drag and drop to the app folder. When they run the app again, it will automatically adjust the startup to look for the app in the applications folder. It was very well written.

There is an about box too if you want more info. You can have either app on your machine if you do not own a MuVo.

Now - about the AAC-Protected files from the iTMS.
This is a licensing issue with Apple. I convert my files to CD and then back to MP3. (This is what I do also for my TDK mojo256, which I like a lot actually due to the small size/FM radio (w/recording to MP3 from it). At $99 after rebate and with a 256MB SD card installed (512MB total) - it holds most all of my personal favorites and has good battery life using one AAA battery. (I use a NIMH/rechargable AAA.) And it sounds at least as good as my 5GB iPod w/later earbuds. Mojo's controls aren't as slick as the iPod though, but for the size, features, battery life and cost, I'm happy with it. But I'm digressing...-Mike)

There were some recent firmware updates that added other file formats like WMA-DRM to the original MuVo, Audible.com, and I believe the Real Audio AAC-Helix was added as well. We can handle most audio formats, and usually the firmware is all we need to update for new codecs (although the original MuVo firmware might not have enough space at this point).

I have not had any problems using the players from 10.2 through 10.3.3. I can't remember if I had the iTunes Plugin for 10.1. The MuVo will also work for data just like the Jump Drives (Flash Memory Sticks) since it is a flash memory stick for real. You plug it in without any plugin, and it will work with any Mac or PC. Chuck and I were talking about a linux version of the plugin, and we would also like to add a format utility in the future as well. We will see.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thanks, Brian
PS: The Sound Blaster MP3+ (also known as the Sound Blaster GO!) is working great with 10.3.3. "

There were some reader comments on this a few months back. (The MP3+ USB device lists for about $39 now.)

" Read the post with interest, so I went to RealTek's website and looked for a driver for their gigabit chipset for OS X and they do have one available. I looked for a manufacturer using the RTL8169 chipset for their card, but expect to have an answer soon.
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloads1-3.aspx?Keyword=rtl8169"
(down the page in the "other" listing is a beta 10.3 driver and a 10.2.x driver)
It looks like Hawking Tech is using the chipset in its HGA32T gigabit NIC. I haven't had a chance to test this out, but the card is $20 at Microcenter (and about $5 less online).
Cheers,
Jon
Executive Director
Boston Macintosh (BMac)
Boston's Premier Macintosh User Group "

See the later report above from someone that tried the 10.3 driver with a $20 Realtek chipset card from Fry's.

" I actually took my G4 12" apart, it's a cinch!
If you only need to replace the drive (HD or optical) it is not necessary to remove the bottom.
Just remove all the screws on the bottom + top and the top will come off. After you remove the screen (lots of screws) the drives are easily accessible. (unlike the iBook G3).
regards, Daniel "

The iBook G4 14in owner wrote that the guide for the 12in owner wasn't of any help.

" THX. I saw the posting. The 14" ibook isnt like the 12" one. I had already read the links people provided before and followed it. It doesnt work on the 14" ibook. e.g. There are no screws on the right side where the keyboard sits. There is no screw underneath the magnet. The magnet is hidden underneath the label; dont even know the functionality of the magnet! (I suspect it may be used as a display lid closed/open sensor.) There are extra screws in places not mentioned. There's a nut under the airport card.... Its very different. I quit when I couldnt get it apart and didnt want to break something! "

If any iBook G4 14in owners have upgraded their hard drive (and took any photos, etc.) or knows of an illustrated guide for the iBook G4/14in model somewhere on the net - let me know and I'll pass it along. Thanks.

• XLR8 G4/500 (at 600MHz) in B&W G3 (rated 9)
  
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked on the CPU upgrades page. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

CDRW Drives:
• Firewire CRW 3200 E 24x10x40x used w/iMac G4 (OS 9.2)
• IDE Liteon LTR-52327S (52x32x52x) in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (FAQ's CDROM/CDR section has OS 9 itunes burn support file. Make sure also you're using the last Authoring support update from apple for OS 9 - v1.1.9. Use tomeviewer to extract the files as noted in the FAQ some years ago - since updater will not run on macs w/o onboard USB.)
  
  Combo DVD-CDR Drives:
• IDE LG GCC-4521B in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (no iApps burn support, didn't note if bootable from CD. Suggested trying Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
• IDE LG GCC-4521B (52x32x52x + 16x DVD-ROM) in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
  
  DVD+RW Drives:
• USB (cased) Plextor PX-508A used w/iBook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE LG GSA-4081B in B&W G3 (OS X)
  (no native burn support, so using Patchburn 1.1)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-107D in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (native burn support in 10.3.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-107D in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-107D in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MiniTower and B&W G3 Macs)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Samsung SP0802N 80GB in iMac (OS 9.2)
• IDE Seagate 200GB in iMac G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (native big drive support
  iMac G4 take-apart here)
• IDE (serial ATA using PCI card) Seagate ST3160023AS 160GB in 9500 (OS X 10.3)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)