$299 366MHz ZIF: Site Sponsor Other World Computing sent a note on another price cut on their 366/1MB ZIF upgrade:

"We are now accepting orders for Apple ZIF G3/366mhz w/1024k 2:1 Cache for $299. Brand new with 1yr Warranty fulfilled via OWC. $15 rebate for 233, $25 rebate for 266, $50 rebate for 300mhz, and $75 rebate offered in exchange for 333mhz working processors. Trade in valid within 30 days of receipt of 366mhz ZIF from OWC and valid only for 366mhz Z366APL Purchases.

Orders will begin shipping by Wednesday, 5/4/99. No orders will be billed prior to shipping. It is likely that they may ship sooner than Wed. As an additional bonus, units are reported to clock safely to 400mhz.

This upgrade is intended for Beige Desktops, Minitowers, Servers, and all ALL-IN-ONE G3s. Less than a $1 per mhz. Can't beat this! :)
Best Regards,
Larry
Other World Computing
800-275-4576 "

OS 8.6 Multi-Processing Note: This just in from Gary Dailey of Daystar/XLR8, important for owners (like me) of a Genesis Quad CPU system considering OS 8.6:

" Apple adjusted the MP library, deleting the undocumented calls used by DayStar for the Quad Processing.

XLR8 is currently working/investigating a repair for DayStar MP users.
Two choices exist at the moment, to get the speed you need.

1. Revert to 8.5.1
2. Upgrade to a G3. StarTeck has excellent upgrade programs for Genesis MP owners wanting to upgrade to G3. Contact Leslie at 770-564-5685, or sales@star-teck.com.
Regards,
Gary"

OS 8.6 has an improved MP microkernel, but this is a serious blow to owners of systems that would have benefited the most - Quad CPU owners. I was really looking forward to running it on my 720MP system. Hopefully XLR8/Daystar will be able to address this with a patch.

Orange Micro has updated their Grappler Scanner software to v1.02. Get it at their SCSI Updates page.

A reader wrote with confusion over Initio's 1.09 Update to the older Miles (32K ROM). Their Mac firmware page shows the 1.09 update as dated 2/1/99. This is just a typo on the web page I'm sure but I've not tested the update.

Mac Voodoo3 Update: Bob Archer posted a message in my 3Dfx forums that 'mac friendly' Voodoo3 silicon will not be ready now until the end of the year. I assume he means a fix for the 565 pixel format issue noted in my Interview with VT last year on the Banshee. That blows the summer promise date for Mac voodoo3s out of the water. I wonder what ID was using in their Mac Voodoo3 (noted in the plan file linked on my Quake 3 Tips page).

Another Ebay Mystery Mac: Chris Mader wrote that there is another Mystery Mac (set-top box) at Ebay. It would be nice if they noted the mfg date. This one appears to have a LC040 (68040 FPU-less CPU) from the additional images.

In the latest update to the Rate Your G3 Cards searchable database, there is a report that may help answer many readers' questions on how fast the XLR8 400/200/1MB card (reviewed here) would run in a 60Mhz bus (604 CPU) PowerCenter Pro:

" Powercenter pro 210 with XLR8 400/200/1MB running 444.8MHz.
Been running at this speed for about 2 weeks seems to be fine, have the system bus set for 55.6 mhz. Could'nt seem to get it to run any faster and be reliable at higher bus speeds even though the stock bus speed is 60 mhz. But still a very good card for the money now that the price is practicaly half of what it was. I was only disapointed that it would'nt play some of the processor specific games. But I found a cache control utility at www.phase5.de that has 601, 603, and 604 compatibility modes that WORK! Also, I gained about 10 fps in Unreal! "

He didn't mention removing the L2 cache dimm, which might have allowed faster bus speeds (but I think he's doing great as-is). The cache control he mentions is listed at Phase5's support page. Note: using their software with another card may voilate the software license however. Instructions on their cache control (english) including the "Compatibility" setting (CPU type) is shown on this page. Powerlogix's first cache control had a 603e mode feature but it was removed from later versions. See my PowerForce G3 250/250 review (first G3 card review) for a pix of their original cache control.

Glenn Templin wrote that the Phase5 cache control's compatibility mode settings allowed him to play Mechwarrior 2 Rave edition (one of the games that checks for CPU type) on his XLR8 400MHz G3 card. He said he had to trash the XLR8 prefs and disable the XLR8 control of course.

On the subject of Phase5, apparently they suffer from the same Adaptec SCSI card issue as most other brands (only Newer Tech and Vimage seem natively compatible). Phase 5's support page has more details on Adaptec compatibility. Not sure if XLR8's cache control 1.3 or later would help. I assume their ZIF (Apple G3 upgrades) are fully Adaptec compatible as are all other ZIF upgrades I've tested.

More Quake3Test Feedback: A follow-up to a recent reader comment on graphics features:

" It seems that when I initially installed/ran the game something had gotten screwed up so that the Light Flares Enabled option in the menu didn't do anything. I dismissed it. Changing the text file the way I described DID add the coronas but now the Light Flares Enabled option turns them on and off (the way it's probably supposed to).

Bottom line is, most people probably have the option to see them just by togging the menu item. *sigh* And I thought I had discovered something :)

Mind you, at otherwise default settings the light flares aren't nearly as pretty as those in Unreal. But then this game isn't Unreal and it's not even a shipping product so I'm not saying it won't look as good as Unreal when it ships.
Scott D. Feldstein "

A reader sent a note on a fix for his vram problem in Quake3Test:

" I note on the Gaming page that others are reporting the "need at least 4Megs of VRAM" problem. As I mentioned in a previous email. That happened for me only because I had my monitor set to 256 colors. As soon as you increase color depth to at least 16 bits, Q3A starts up without complaint.

Inference being that Q3A does no actual check of VRAM, but looks only at color depth and infers that if you had more VRAM you'd be running at more colors.
Dave "

I assumed that everyone would be running Quake in at least thousands color mode, as even RAVE games require it.

Reader Request: Iomega Buz A reader has asked if anyone has tried the Iomega Buz scsi/capture card in a B&W G3 after updating the firmware. As noted on my B&W G3 Compatibility page, there were problems previously but since several PCI Card issues (Audio/PC CPU card) were fixed (noted on my Firmware Update page) he wonders if the Buz may now work. If you've tested a Iomega Buz in a firmware updated B&W G3, please contact me with results.

Reader Request: Quake3 Problem: A reader asks for a solution to the problems he's seeing with an MP850 (Banshee) video card added to his B&W G3:

" I am having trouble getting q3test to run off of my Rage128 in my b/w G3 with a VooDoo banshee (VT MP850). I have narrowed down the problem to the point that I believe the issue is with the load order of the PCI cards, if anyone can help, it would be much appreciated "

If you have a solution or workaround, please contact me with details.

More OS 8.6 Tips: This one deals with the issue of startup resolution changes:

" hi mike
i have had a problem with mac os 8.6 (b4, b9 and the gm-version). normally, i run at 1280x960 resolution, but since i have updated to any of the above mentioned 8.6 versions, the resolution changes to 640x480 at startup (when the little mac shows up) and returns to its original setting just when the extensions begin to load. this is a litte annoying, since the background color or startupscreen gets lost when switching back. i have tried lots of things to get rid of this, like trashing prefs, disabling extensions, zapping pram and all... but to no avail.

what finally helped was replacing the new "Mac OS ROM" file from Mac OS 8.6 with an older one from Mac OS 8.5.1. as you might guess, i am not very happy with this solution, but it has worked well so far.
regards, oliver "

Lombard 'Wish List' Feedback: Several readers wrote to say they agreed 100% with my wish list in yesterday's news. Most replies were typical of this one from James Allworth:

"Mike
your wish list for the Lombard powerbook hit it right on the head. Apple really need to get that machine along those specs so it can truly replace a desktop machine.

The most annoying thing about Apple's laptops are the lack of powerful, upgradeable video subsystems. The idea of being able to upgrade the ATI card to a new one when a new card comes out is intensely appealing and would remove the final barrier to me getting a powerbook. At the moment, however, an ATI Rage Pro just won't cut it.

Sorry I haven't written to you in a while, but rest assured I'm reading your page every day. "

Until I saw the performance of the 8MB AGP 2X RageProLT in the Inspiron 7000, I didn't have a lot of respect for the RageProLT either. However it ran 3D Apps and 3D Games amazingly well (shocking actually) - Quake (GLversion) ran at 40+ FPS I think on a PII 366mhz version of the notebook. Quake II, Half-Life, etc. were very playable at 640x480, and Forsaken was playable at 800x600. I suspect both the AGP bandwidth, direct memory execution and 8MB buffer all helped. The capability to upgrade video and CPU I noted in my wish list would be a major bonus to owners. Are you listening Apple ? ;-)

Humor: A recent reader's signiture had the quote: "At Microsoft, Quality is Job 1.01b3"

MesaQuake Beta 9 in case you missed the 11:30PM update, beta 9 of MesaQuake is not available. It fixes the teleporter bug in the previous version.

If you don't check the news daily, you're sure to miss something useful/interesting. Check the summary list below. For a blast from the past, read what was on the news page here exactly a year ago.

Other Net News:

• Could We Be a Little More Silly Please? (Macopinion)
• Final Windows 2000 Beta Shipping (isn't final beta a contradiction in terms?)
• HP Ships Large-Format Ink Jets
• Intel CEO warns of Digital Pirates
• NaturallyClear Headset Sounds Clear $80 H100 works with Dragon NaturallySpeaking (PC) voice recognition software.
• Banner Ads Talk It Up Audiobase markets Java applet that adds sound to online ads.
• JAVA: Not just for Applets Anymore As Java matures, more corporations will use it inmission-critical applications.
• Microsoft Probles AOL-Netscape Merger

Wednesday's News Summary

• 3D Gaming News Quake3/Half-Life updates
• Quake 3 Tips/Screenshots page posted
• G3 CPU Upgrade Ratings database updated
• MesaQuake Beta 9 released (mirrored here)
• MacGurus XLR8 sale
• Alsoft Disk First Aid Patch
• ATI Trade-Up Offer
• Retrospect Driver Update
• Quake 3 and QT4/MP3 Tips
• 3Dfx forum debate on 3dfx cards
• G3 CPU Temp utils not accurate
• Lombard Feature Wish List
• More OS 8.6 Tips
• More B&W Firmware update comments
• Other Net News

Tuesday's News Summary

• ID comments on Q3Test Issues
• Voodoo3 in a Mac verified
• 3D Game News page updated
• Quake3 Tips page updated
  (DM screenshots/MesaQuake/more)
• WD 27GB ATA/66 Hard drive
• Sony delays 200MB floppy
• Wired4DVD decoder and PC DVD drives
• Sonnet G3/6500 conflict with ATI VR card
• New MesaQuake Beta7 released
• IDE cable comments
• OS 7.x tip for Quake3test
• TIL on 10/100 hubs
• QT4/MP3 Playback Tip
• OrangeMicro PCfx/Ethernet fix
• CIH 1.2 Virus Victim story
• PowerJolt 400 review
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade 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, you might want to 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:

-Firmware Update
-MagicScan G3
(912K G3/Scanner Fix)
ATI OpenGL
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:
Grappler Updates
Umax MagicScan v4 (912K)
(G3/Scanner Fix)
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 1.3

Misc/General:
Grappler Updates
GameSprockets Miles 1.09 ROM
Disk First Aid Patch
Retrospect Drvrs
Fuse 1.8.1
Virtual PC 2.1.3
OrangeMicro 930U
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
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:
MesaQuake(GL)
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