Adds Buffer Underrun Prevention for DVD-R drives, support for DVD-R media speed detection, better responsiveness when burning to built-in ATAPI/IDE recorders, improved compatibility with Apple's iTunes and Disc Burner, Apple Packet Media Access compatibility, support for new CD and DVD recorders, improved support for the Apple SuperDrive, the Pioneer DVR-A03, and the Yamaha 2100E, and Disc-to-Disc copy improvements.
Please view the Readme file that installs with the 5.0.2 update for more information.

For more info and notes on downloads (OEM and Retail versions, English, French, German and Japanese language versions) see the Roxio Toast updates page.

Note: Requires a login (i.e. registration with Roxio) to download the update. I bought my Toast 5 upgrade direct from them but I guess I never registered it. After a hunt for the original CD and filling out the registration form (CD key required), I had to enter the CD key again to get the download. [Here's a direct download link to the Toast 5.02 update retail version (not the OEM/Lite version)]

• Added InputSprocket z-axis support. Enables use of mouse wheel on some 3rd party mice. This may require you to reset your keyboard settings and disable any custom mouse software.
• Fixed some problems related to finding a compatible display.
• Fixed temporary file warning message.
• Fixed crashing problem when starting a new Rogue Spear single player game.
• Added option to the RS Utility tool to disable InputSprockets.
• Added option to the RS Utility tool to set the monitor to millions of colors while playing. This only works for resolutions greater than 640x480. The result may be a better image on some computers, but at the cost of using more memory.
• Removed use of SoundSprocket and added custom 3D sound simulation. Also makes use of EAX (Environmental Audio Extensions) if you have a Sound Blaster audio card installed.
• Added changes from the 2.51 and 2.52 PC updates. (See below.) In order for multiplayer games between Macs and PCs to work, all players must be runrunning the same version. The Macintosh Urban Operations version is now 2.52. However, because of internal changes, the Rogue Spear portion of the game cannot be played against PC players. This should not be a problem since all multiplayer games are available from the Urban Operations portion of the game.
  
  
• There are a few known bugs still existing. In particular, some text may be truncated using ATI Radeon cards, "Random Maps" does not currently work in multiplayer games, and the "Ruined City" map may cause unexplained crashes in multiplayer. We are attempting to locate and correct these issues.

" I too had the problem with the game running in a window in both X & 9.2.1. To fix, you have to edit the config.cfg file in the demo folder.

Change seta r_fullscreen "0" to 1 & it should work in both X & 9.2.1.

There is also a preference to enable the console in the demo. "

If you missed the news item on the demo, it's 80MB+ and available at this Macgamefiles page. They also list a OS X Alice demo fix 1.2MB download (although the page still shows 81MB for the demo fix as of today).

" 12x Lite On sleep issue solved...
...at least for me. I've seen numerous reports, both on your site and elsewhere, and have experienced the sleep problem with the 12x lite on CDRW (LTR-12101B) drive, where the drive is not recognized after the computer is put to sleep. The Lite-On website has a firmware update, which has solved this problem with my beige G3. Not suprisingly, it requires a PC to run the updater. My firmware was LS38 prior to the update; it's now listed as LS3I in the Apple System profiler.

The update can be found at http://www.liteonit.com.tw/Etech/Etech.htm
Thanks for the great site!
Jeff"

I asked Jeff to also post a Drive Database entry with this tip.

" I just read your news for today [yesterday-Mike] and was a bit surprised at one article I saw. I have just returned my second IBM 75GXP drive in 6 months. Luckily the second time it was my backup drive - the first time I wasn't so lucky!
Just thought I should corroborate the story since I am VERY disappointed in my luck with these drives.
Brian M.
[I asked if he noticed where the drives were made, noted on the label usually. Some thought the problems may have been related to drives made in Hungary, although the last 75GXP drive I bought is made there and so far is ok but has the least use of the 3 I own.-Mike

I actually didn't look to see where the drives had been made. One was a 60GB drive and the other was a 75GB. I have another 75GB which hasn't had any problems (keeping my fingers crossed - it's my main drive.) "

Although I can't post all the positive feedback on these drives (search the drive database for more samples) - here's one example to show the other side of the coin:

" Hi Mike! Hope everything is well with you. I saw [yesterday's xlr8yourmac news page] and noticed your comment on the IBM 75GXP (which I installed on my G4 - thanks to your detailed How-to) Well, I just wanted to add my support too.

This drive has been flawless - I just finished a feature length movie and edited it on this drive - the 75gb model - months upon months of rendering, editing, audio mixing, capturing - everything... This drive takes the abuse and keeps going. It's been almost a year on this drive and I have nothing but praise for it.

Recently I bought a Contour ShuttlePro - a video jog/shuttle controller for Macs only that allows editing to move much quicker than just a mouse - and with this device I am ten times harsher on the 75gxp - fast forwarding, double speed back/forth etc... and without a single hitch - What a dream combo.

That's my 2, and thanx again for having the best Mac site out there!
russ "

As noted in the PCworld article, IBM denies there is any issue with these drives although some of the comments there were a bit disturbing. (I have seen reports of failures at some PC forums and I think storagereview may also have an article or forum comments on this issue.) It would be nice if IBM would do a Failure Analysis on the drives that did fail. Questions I would have is

• Were the failed drives from one specific Mfg plant?
• Was there a common failure mode? (bearing, platter, head)
  If so was there a change in the source or spec of that component that could be a factor? (were all the failed components from the same source, or same lot/batch)
• If no internal reasons (change of components, etc.) were found, could it be an outside factor such has shipping method?
• Could the application/environment where the drives were used be a factor? (server use, 24/7 operation, any high ambient temperatures, any problems with power regulation, etc.)

IBM may feel the total failures are so small a percentage that they are considered normal random failures. (Although the comments in that article from some that noted many drives failed in a short period would have me doing a failure analysis on the drives.)

It looks like the 60GXP series is replacing the 75GXP series and the 60GXPs are said to be a bit faster also.

Any drive can fail and a certain % of drives will fail early . Also note the FAQ here mentions a problem Apple noted with some large Quantum IDE drives that shipped in some digital audio G4 towers. (Their TIL noted the serial number range and drive info for owners to check.)

" Hi Mike,
Well we just got lucky - Saturday we will receive our first shipment of G4/500 ZIFS from this production run - and they should be very popular at $399.95. Quite a price difference between ours and the other manufacturers!!!

The 400's are still running great at 433/450/466. But the 500's I have gotten for approval were not able to run faster than 500 as we thought they would be limited to ( Got one to run at 533 but oh well, not worth it.)

They are listed on the OWC Site Specials page of course, and we will have ample stock of these to last a good long while I would say. I'll let you know if we start running low on any of them.
Thanks-
Jamie Dresser
Other World Computing "

One thing I noticed yesterday - the OWC Apple ROM Pioneer Superdrive (pulls from Quicksilver systems they say) note the drive is a "DVR-103" model (as is a friend's G4/733 2001 digital audio superdrive according to Apple System Profiler). I thought these drives were the "DVR-A03" model originally noted in Pioneer's press release earlier this year, but it seems even since the spring the OEM Apple models are actually the "103". (The same drive model# noted in a readers database report yesterday on a Lacie external Firewire DVD-R drive.) [Note - one theory is the A03 drive is the retail box Pioneer "Superdrive" and the 103 is the OEM version.]

" Hi Mike,
I seems like it would be rather easy to get 3DFX cards working under OS X. The Omni group wrote Glide drivers for OS X Server that install on OS X v10.0 although they don't function. The install even adds a 3DFX control panel to System Preferences.

ftp://ftp.omnigroup.com/pub/software/MacOSX-Server/Glide-2.54-1.0-MXS-P.tar

The other component comes from the MesaGL web site. They have UNIX drivers for MesaGL which, again, installs under OS X v10.0, but doesn't seem to function.
http://www.mesa3d.org/
ftp://ftp.omnigroup.com/pub/software/MacOSX-Server/MesaGL-3.1-beta-MSX-P.tar.gz

If someone with a little more OS X technical savvy than myself looked into this problem, I bet they could have working drivers in no time. Perhaps we could pester the Omni Group into writing them. After all, they've done it before and they certainly have the expertise.
Just my $.02.
Thanks,
Joshua"

Combo DVD/CDRW Drive Reports:
• IDE Toshiba R1102 in Beige G3
  (updated report)
  
  IDE CDRW Reports:
• Lite On LTR-16101B (16/10/40) in G4/AGP 2001
  (listed under "other brands")
• Plextor (Creative RW121032E) 12/10/32 in G4 no AGP (yikes)
  (Plextor mechanism)
• Teac CDW-58E (8x8x32) in Beige G3
  (problems noted)
  
  SCSI CDROM Drive Reports:
• Pioneer CD-ROM DR-124X (ext) used with PB Duo
  (listed under "Powerbook other models" category)
  
  IDE Hard Drive Reports:
• IBM 75GXP 60GB in 9600 w/IDE PCI Card
• IBM Travelstar 30GB in PB G3 wallstreet2
  (used the illustrated upgrade guide here on the IDE and Systems pages)
• IBM Travelstar 30GB in iBook 2001
  (includes notes on install)
  
  SCSI Hard Drive Reports:
• Fujitsu MAJ3182MP 18GB in B&W G3
• IBM Ultrastar DGHS18Z 18GB in 6500
  
  Firewire Hard Drive Reports:
• Firewire Direct 60GB used w/9600

You can find full owner reports by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches).
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.]

• Powerlogix G4/350 in 7600/132 (rated 9)
• Powerlogix BlueChip G3/466 in PB G3 wallstreet1 (rated 8)
• Sonnet G3/500 in Beige G3 (rated 10)
• Sonnet G4/400 in Umax S900 (rated 10)
  (update to previous report)
• Apple 2001 iBook OC report
• Apple B&W G3/450 OC report

(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.)

• 1 year ago today
• 2 years ago today
• 3 years ago today

Software Updates:
• Rogue Spear 1.01 update (direct download link)
• Free ContentBarrier Offer [offer good until October 1st]
• Toast 5.02 update (Retail - not OEM/Lite version) (direct download link)

(Barney was ill today so no TILs or Net news updates.)