"Hi Mike
I have been scouring the internet trying to get strings for the PowerMac G3 internal modem to work with Timbuktu 4.8.

Can you believe that the Netopia support page has a statement telling me to create my own or use a generic string and THATS IT! The B&W does not have anything relating to the modem in the troubleshooting manual. Apple's web page is useless. Searches bring up nothing.

I can't believe that these companies have dropped the ball on this. Timbuktu is the only solution on the mac. There are many mac users--- Sorry. Have you seen anywhere where someone has gotten this to work?
Thanks
Cesar D. "

I asked if he had tried the alternate scripts listed on my Internal Modem Tips page and had disabled FaxSTF extensions (if installed). [Update: He later wrote that using the 'Generic 56K' script worked]

Fuse Driver Update: Aurora Design released driver version 1.8.1 for their Fuse capture card (reviewed here last year), addressing a problem noted here recently with v1.8 (some systems would freeze during video playback). Get it at their Drivers page. For those lucky enough to be attending NAB next week, stop by the B&H Photo-Video booth at the Sands to check out the Fuse and get their product literature on the new Igniter. Aurora Design is a Mac-Only developer.

Site Sponsor Bottom Line sent their latest list of Weekly Specials, including 7 G3 CPU upgrades under $300. Also listed are my dream drives - the IBM Ultra2 LZX (10K RPM) models in 9 and 18GB. These drives are the fastest on the market to my knowledge and are at the top of my SCSI 'Lust List'. The 9GB model is 1 inch high, but the 18GB model is 1.6 inches high and would need the Proline bracket kit to fit in all but the latest B&W G3s (see earlier post today about the new case/tray design).

Site Sponsor Other World Computing sent an update on MacTell G3 card pricing:

"MacTell PowerJolt 266/133/512k - $245.00
MacTell PowerJolt 333/222/1MB - $519.00
MacTell PowerJolt 366/183/1MB - $599.00
MacTell PowerJolt 400/200/1MB - $675.00
For most PCI PowerMacs. "

Edit DV/B&W G3 Playback: A reader copied me on his problem report to Digital Origin:

"I recently installed a second IDE drive as a slave drive in the B/W g3 400. the drive is Maxtor's latest 7200 rpm 20 gig drive model St0192000D ( the fastest drive on the market for DV today) I used Apple's drive setup to setup the drive as one partition HFS+. The drive captures video wonderfully via Edit DV without dropping a frame at 23.3 meg.

The problem I have is when playing back in Edit, I sometimes get a late interrupt message after playing back from any of the windows in Edit which says the drive dropped a frame and to use a faster drive ect... throughput is 9.9meg. This drive should be way sufficient. Is there any other way I could set the drive up for better performance?

I also have a copy of HDT 3.0 which works with IDE drives, would this be better to use this as a driver? What causes late interrupts? "

I suspect they may just say that Slave drives are not supported on the B&W G3, although as noted in my article and well over 100 reader reports, they do work fine for most of us. I asked if he had verified the problem exists when using the Master drive and if he was running the latest Apple software updates, not using any extensions that can steal CPU cycles, disable Appletalk, etc.. I am assuming he's using a slave on the primary IDE interface (not the secondary bus used for the CDrom). The CDrom channel may be a bit slower (based on specs) but reader reports note literally identical preformance from slave drives on either bus. Perhaps some sort of OS polling of the Cdrom drive (if empty) could be a factor for drives used on that interface. Apple Drive Setup 1.7 and later has support for UltraDMA in the driver, so the primary B&W G3's primary IDE channel might be preferred. Apple's Drive Setup version history has more info on DS v1.7.1 and 1.7.2 changes.

Martha Seward wrote about the premiere of MacTuner 2.0:

" Hi, we're writing to you regarding a Mac product we're Premiering today on CNETs Download.com. It's called MacTuner, and this is our version 2.0 debut. MacTuner combines RealAudio and RealVideo with a database of over 1500 radio and TV sites to allow you to instantly "tune in" to broadcasts from around the world. Users select stations geographically using world maps, or by format using the Channel Browser. Or find great programming using the MacTuner integrated search engine. When a user finds something they like, it can be saved in a 'car-radio' style preset button.

Our 2.0 version requires no external libraries and runs on a 68040 or later processor. You can read more about MacTuner from our website at: www.mactuner.com/

We are big fans of AccelerateYourMAC!, you've got a great resource for Mac users everywhere!

Best Regards,
Martha Seward,
Freelance Works - Software and Web Site Promotion "

News.com has a story on an integrated PowerPC/video chip from IBM that would make low-cost set-top boxes possible.

I'm going to try to finish some very late reviews this weekend, including a test in the B&W G3 with a std and 80 conductor (shielded UltraATA) IDE cable and ZIF CPU upgrades. Watch for an update in tomorrow's news.

Today's 3D Game News page has news on Unreal mods, Quake utilities, Tomb Raider Gold Demo and other game updates, along with info on the Microconversions iMac upgrade and their $40 rebate offer (valid only in the US) on the 12MB Game wizard.

Evanglist being Retired: Guy Kawasaki's final message says it all but I will miss the list and think it was still a very valuable resource, despite the Apple recovery. The 'Digital Guy' also has some interesting comments well worth a read.

Rod Morehead wrote with some comments [snipped a bit for bandwidth] on his PL CPU card:

" The PowerLogix GuardBit extension works well and is the only thing which solved my Retrospect/PowerForce options. If you could add that to the Retrospect/PF page [done-Mike] that would be helpful for others. The PowerLogix 1.5.1 control panel has been a little flaky for me, but the 1.4.1 works well with the current Guardbit.

...I went ahead and bought a new PowerLogix 220/110 for my second mac. The 220/110 worked fine out of the box, but once I got it cranked up it ran at about 60 degrees C which was too high. I popped the heatsink off and added some thermal compound but the only lowered it to 55 degrees. I decided to try again but ruined the little plastic tab at the base of the PowerLogix heatsink so it wouldn't attach at all (this is one that clips onto the plastic G3 casing. A warning about this somewhere might be nice... [This heastink type screws off - don't pry it!-Mike] "

I've not had any other reports of damaging the plastic retainer (assuming it is one of the new screw-off types), but perhaps leaving well enough alone is good advice here. Not sure what the rated CPU is on the latest PF/220/110 cards, but my PB G3/250 runs 80C all the time with no problems (at the stock CPU speed). There have been mixed reports on Guardbit, some say it helped, others used XLR8's 1.3 control accord to reports I've seen in the Rate Your G3 Card database.

Another reader reports his repaired/modified PF card now runs fine in his PowerBase. Remember to clearly specify your mac model when ordering any G3 upgrade, especially if you own a PowerBase Mac:

"Hi Mike, I had wrote in earlier about my problems with my PowerForce 220/110 card. Well I had sent it into PowerLogix and just received it back today. Am successfully running at 325/108/50 (3:1 cache ratio) Also of note is that this is on a PowerBase clone, and it's motherboard (Alchemy) is rated at 40 Mhz. As always, thanks for all the great work and the tremendous resource you provide.
Bill Breen "

PowerComputing models always seem to be able to run higher bus speeds. My PowerCenter Pro ran 60Mhz bus speeds with a G3 card. (The system is down now after a failure back in Feb. when running as a web server and I've still not had time to work on it.)

Taller drives in B&W G3 Update: Kenneth Gan reports that his new B&W G3 has the long rumored mod to allow taller drives (1.5 inches was the previous limit):

"I was just reading an addendum booklet included in my new B&W G3 and noticed that the hard drive tray now supports 1.6" (40.6mm) drives. not sure when they made the change, but the sticker on the inside of the box has a date of 3/24/99. the case does indeed close properly with a 1.6" drive in all positions of the tray, i tested it with a 1.6" seagate barracuda.
Regards,
Kenneth Gan "

See the my Proline HD Bracket article for a low-cost solution for earlier B&W G3 owners. I also heard a rumor months ago that the OEM Rage128 may be faster in future models, running 100mhz vs 75. If any new B&W G3 owners could run Rave Quake (latest version, all Rave options on) timedemo tests to see if this is true I'd like to know the results (via email). The FAQ Games topic area has the info on running Timedemo tests with Quake.

OWC 366MHz ZIF Report: The latest update to the Rate Your G3 Card database includes a report of 400/200 speeds with Other World's $449 366/183/1MB ZIF in a beige G3. He noted that he had to change the motherboard jumpers (see G3-ZONE OC page tab), from his report it seems the ZIF is like Apple's versions, relying on the jumper block setting for CPU/Bus ratios. Modifying jumper block settings voids the Apple warranty (if your mac is still in warranty). [Update: There is a 2nd report just added on the OWC 336 ZIF - again a 400MHz speed was reported.]

333MHz iMacs at Fry's: Like my experience with B&W G3 - it's faster to get a Mac at retail rather than the Apple store:

" Just to let you know, after calling APPLE STORE to order new 333Mz iMACs and being informed that it would be "2-3 weeks" before delivery, I followed up on a rumor that these systems were available at FRY"s Electronics in the California area. Lo and behold.....they are true!! Called the Sunnyvale store from my home in Florida and bought one for my son. it will be delivered by Tuesday, we hope. The bad "publicity" that Fry's receives on the WEB will soon be washed clear....hmm.hmm...after the successfull delivery of our system, of course.
Kevin Pratt
your Saudi Arabia Fan
Fry,s Electronics=1-408-617-1300- Speak to a young man named "Andrews" "

I've not had fast deliveries from the BTO store either (due to timing or options selected perhaps). I cancelled my original B&W G3 order after a 6 week wait was cited and waited more than 6 weeks for my internal modem. To their credit (and to address complaints from years past), they try to ensure that retail outlets have stock on new models as a priority. I don't think it's reasonable to expect Apple (due to size and volume) to approach the BTO speed of a company like Dell. A co-worker ordered a Dell Inspiron 7000 Laptop (loaded with all options) on a Monday; in two hours it showed up on their online order system as 'in production' and it shipped the next day, complete with a Fed-ex tracking number link to show delivery status. Too bad they're not making Macs. ;-) David Chao notes he got his system inside of a week (no DVD option selected even though the original quote was 2-3 weeks. Orders on recently announced products or special options are primary reasons for delays I suspect, but the point I was making is that often you may get product faster from a retail outlet (and often better deals too - with bundled/free items in some cases).

A reader asked a if you could swap a beige G3 ZIF in to a Umax C500 which also has a ZIF socket. The answer is no. The CPU is different voltage and as noted on several areas dealing with Beige and BW G3 ZIFs and speed settings, the Apple ZIF relies on the bus speed and cpu/ratio settings from the Apple motherboard jumper block settings to determine the operating speed. I doubt the pinouts are the same either. I'm adding this to the Frequently Asked Questions today.

Mike Rowe reported adding an IBM 8.4GB drive as a master (with the CDrom as slave) corrupted the IBM disk on this B&W G3. Most readers reported no problems adding Maxtors or other drives but they used these drives as slaves to the CDRom (which is set to a master by default).

New Microconversion's iMac Uprade: theiMac.com has an article on a new Microconversions upgrade for iMacs that adds a Voodoo2, ADB and processor 'speed bump' (ie overclock I assume) and subwoofer modification to any iMac model for $349. Details are in their ULTIMATE Gaming iMac article. The upgrade requires sending your chassis to Microconversions. MC has a press release with details as well.

The PowerBook Zone has written an guide explaining the trick to getting DVD movies to play as your background desktop.

One reader commented he has heard a rumor of new G3 model with a 'Sawtooth' (code name for the next Mac w/G4 CPU, AGP slot, etc.) motherboard. Last I heard in the rumor mill the Sawtooth G4 was not due to appear until late Summer at best.

PC DVD Drives in B&W G3? Still looking for feedback from anyone that has tried a PC/OEM DVD drive in a B&W G3 with the Apple Rage128 Mpeg card option. (Replacing the stock DVD drive with a OEM DVD drive.) If so please contact me.

If you missed any recent daily news a summary is below (details on the past 2 days, and links to the last week). For a blast from the past, read what was on the news page here exactly a year ago.

Other Net Computer News:

• Philistines (MacOpinion)
• Miscellaneous Ramblings #11 (MacOpinion)
• As all of you already know - Apple posted another profitable quarter (unlike some other companies ;-) - shipments were up 27% according to this Wired article.
• Linux-Based Crypto Stops Snoops Linux FreeS/WAN software is ready to keep point-to-point Internet communications secure. Developers predict the freeware will thrive. Law enforcement officials predict trouble with terrorists. (Wired)
• ATI Rage 128 Fury Review (PCWorld)
• Homeworld: Gaming's Next Big Thing (ZD/Net)
• The high speed internet edge (Gamecenter.com)
• ATT reveals 1800 email customer email addresses (News.com)
• IBM PCs Back from the Dead (News.com)
• MS Delays Win2000 beta (News.com)
• Half-Life expansion pack announced (Gamecenter.com)
• The Pentium III Privacy Controversy (C/Net)

Thursday's News Summary

• Game Wizard 2D/3D screen switching tip
• XLR8/Japan bundling PPC checker without permission
• 3D Gaming News page updated with OpenGL 3Dx news and more.
• G3 CPU Upgrade Ratings database updated with 400MHz G3/20th Anniv report
• More XLR8/400 owner comments
• Myth 1.2.1 updater
• NT server vs Linux Performance tests
• More on OEM ZIPs In B&W G3s
• Game Wizard driver conflict report
• More Networking Tips for G3s
• OS 8.5 Modem Tip (settings)
• MPEG II Video Clips on the web
• OWC, MacGurus, Mactell G3 Upgrade Prices Drop (listing)
• Other Computer news

Wednesday's News Summary

• OEM ZIPs in B&W G3 - support/warranty issues
• Comments on ZIP 250 with 100MB disks
• New Mac DVD Decoder from Wired Inc ($215 SRP)
• G3 Networking Fix? (hub setting)
• Request for info on PC DVD drives
• OWC 9GB Ultra2 Cheetah Sale
• PPC Checker v1.1
• PowerLogix Online Store Sale
• Virtual PC 2.1.3
• 3Dfx forums PC/Mac Voodoo2 thread
• Networking Hubs/Switches for B&W G3
• Cut in B&W G3 CDROM Cable detailed info.
• ATI RagePro VR Capture/B&W G3 report
• More B&W G3 USB Oddities reported
• More on Quicktime 4 MP3 playback/info
• More on Removing OS X partition
• New Hi-Tech Theme for OS 8.5
• More Autosensing Networking Comments
• PBZone Lombard article
• G3 CPU Upgrade Ratings database updated
• Other Net News

For other recent site news/features links, see the Sidebar to the right and the Recent Site Features page.

If you own a G3/300 or faster Mac, make you get our PPC Checker utility that will report if your CPU is copper or aluminum based.

Considering a G3 Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The database is being updated daily for new reports. Also make sure you ask your dealer about any issues with current builds of some models (ie PF G3) as I have gotten several reports of issues with certain mac models in the last few months (Mach 5, PowerBase, 7300). I urge any owners that have had problems to report this via the Survey Form. Always give the most weight to recent owner reports (dated in the listing).

-Show All Topics-

B&W G3 Related:

-MagicScan G3 Updater
(912K G3/Scanner Fix)
OpenGl Drivers
FireWire 2.0
[File Download]
OEM B&W Ultra2 SCSI
[File Download]
Miles/MilesU2 Updates
ATTO ExpressPCI 1.3.4
(U2 & UW cards)
Rage128 Update 1.0 (485K bin)
or Binhex (660K)
ATTO ExpressPro-Tools [2.1.1]
3940UW v4.1b1 ROM
(Get the 4.0 control below as well)
2940UW v4.1 ROM &
2940UW Control 4.0
Formac PowerRaid Updates
[get hqx version]
Jackammer v1.4 Update
VirtualGameStation 1.1
Plaintalk Enabler
[For B&W/iMac]

Other G3 Models:
-Umax MagicScan v4 (912K)
(G3/Scanner Fix)
OrangeMicro 930U Beta
PPC Checker
Int. Modem Scripts
Apple Modem Update
[File Download]
PB G3 Modem 1.0.2
G3 Modem Update (V.90/56Flex)
See VersionTracker's G3 page for others...

G3 CPU Cards:
Vimage PB1400/2400
Vimage G3/240
(Vimage Update Info)
MacTell G3 Cntl
XLR8 Cache Cntl v1.3 [628KB]
PowerLogix SW
 -Cache Cntl 1.5.1
 -Speedmeter 1.3
 -GuardBit 1.0b2
  (Retrospect fix)
MAXpowr G3 1.3.7
XLR8 Cache Cntl 1.2

Misc/General:
Fuse 1.8.1
Virtual PC 2.1.3
OrangeMicro 930U Beta
MP850 v1.01 update (2.8MB)
ATI OpenGl Drvrs
Office98 GUID Patch
NAV 5.03
April 99 NAV Defs
Java Runtime 2.1.1
Drive Setup 1.7.2
USB Overdrive
Mac Mesa OpenGL
USB Drivers
Blue Label Update 1
Mouseworks 5.20 (1.5M)
Inspire 3D 1.0C (7.2MB)
NavCom Cache Cntl 1.3
Logitech MouseWare USB
Yamaha CRW4416 ROM v1.0f
(See Mac Update Utility page)
Apple Displays Software 1.7.1
GV V.90 Flex Preferred Script
IE 4.5 Plug-in Updater
Farallon NIC Update
Lightwave 5.6D GL Update
(7.9MB Download)
MacTell Vision3D Pro/Lite 5.4.0
(ROM update also)

Formac GA 5.4.0
(Graphics Card Driver)
Stuffit Expander 5.1

Games Related:
Joyport Update
(InputSprocket fix)
Myth Updates
Unreal Updates
MacMame(emulator)
3Dfx Checker Util
Descent 3Dfx
FutureCop 101A
MP850 Glide Drivers
CVGS v1.2
T.Raider2 Update

OS 8.5 Related
Check VersionTracker
for other updates.

See also Apple's Software Updates

Apple TIL Updates

Check here for cool Sherlock Plugins