"Hi Mike - Thanx for your quick replies and advice on the subject of large drives on pre-Quicksilver 2002 macs. Thought I would get back to you on my findings and, so far, lack of success....might even be a good post for readers of your site, especially musicians -
You may remember suggesting (amongst other options) that I try Intech's Hard Disk Speedtools new driver to allow usage of the full 180GB of my new IBM (Hitachi now) GXP drive. I have a G4 450AGP with OS 9.2 + 20GB IDE(system/apps) + 180GB IDE (audio slave). Well I can report that it does (speedtools driver allows full big drive support), except it absolutely refuses to work with Digidesign ProTools LE.

I keep getting DAE Error-36, especially with songs that have high density audio files. The -36 error code is a Mac I/O (read/write) error and Digidesign's Troubleshooting says "Error -36 is caused by a problem with your ATTO card or computer firmware".
I don't use an ATTO card and I have already installed latest firmware upgrade 4.2.8.

I've tried adjusting buffer size of ProTools DAE engine and re-installing everything. Also tried all/no extensions and have tried all alternate DMA settings using the HDST control panel.
The problem goes away if I use Apple drivers, but then I can only use 128GB of the disk.

Please note - DAE-36 error also occurs even if I try using audio on SAME disk as system+ProTools. Audio plays for a few seconds, then stops and displays -36 error. Any ideas/suggestions?
I know I can buy an IDE PCI ATA/133 upgrade card - I'm just trying to save money because I thought that the Intech driver would solve the problem!
Regards, Neil C. "

I suggested he contact Intech's tech support (and perhaps Digidesign) to see if they have any suggestions and to make them aware of the problem. I wonder if both HDs were using the Intech driver if that would matter (I personally like to use the same driver on all HDs), but it may not matter for this problem. I assume he is able to fully write to the 180GB drive's full capacity from his comments that only Protools had the the problem. (i.e. that the driver is fully supporting 48bit addressing - not just reporting the correct capacity.)

If any other OS 9/Protools LE user has used a large drive (either with Intech's drivers or a PCI ATA/100-133 card), let me know if you've seen any problems or have a suggestion.

"Mike, A friend of mine with a 2-month old Powerbook G4 12-inch, a new Palm Zire and MS Office applied the new MS updates today (see earlier news items below), and she reports that it rendered MS Word useless (it won't open any longer).
She has been on the phone with MS tech support for a while this morning, and their only advice to her was to reinstall MS Office. She runs a very stock vanilla set up, so if she encountered this problem, I*m sure others will as well. Until she resolves these problems, I'm not going to apply the update myself. I don't know if any of your readers have reported something similar, but MS buyers beware...
Steve"

I asked Steve if she had previously applied all the past OfficeX updates and if she had ran repair permissions (may not matter but as a rule I run Repair Permissions from Jag's Disk Utility after every OS X or X Apps update) - Steve later wrote she had done both.
A reader sent a note/tip regarding Word launching problems:

"Mike, Word uses a "Normal" template as the starting point of opening a document. And I have found that this template must be available to the app, even if you are opening an existing saved document. I have also found that it is not unusual for the Normal template to become corrupt (especially after a recent update). I recommend that before doing all of the hard work, that users check to make sure all the easy things are as they should be (I remember tearing down a PC once to find a problem, only later to discover that it was just a loose cable!).

Anyway, before reinstalling Office apps, and certainly before pulling out one*s hair, trash Word*s "Normal" template, and then restart the application. It will create a new ·NormalÓ template, and you might be surprised that the application opens as it should. Tell the folks to give that one a shot, before they spend hours on hold with MS tech support. For Word, here's where to find it:
Applications > Microsoft Office X > Templates > Normal
David"

Here are mails on the update:

"I'm also on a 12" PowerBook G4. Office v.X works fine after the 10.1.4 update. I didn't apply the Handheld Sync Installer.
-john "

Another reader however said after the update he can't connect to an Exchange Server:

" I updated and now I cannot connect to Exchange server using the exact same settings that work in Outlook 2001 for Classic/OS9. My account name is set up LASTNAME, FIRSTNAME (e.g., BLOE, JOE) and I'm using the correct password...strange...Entourage finds the Exchange Server (I can change the server name to something wrong and I get a correct "can't find server" message). However, with the correct server name I get a "wrong username OR password" message.
Mike L. "

A reader replied to the above with a note/Tip:

" OK, I'm using it quite happily on a 15" 800 mhz pb. the username field should contain your NT username, not your exchange alias, or the crap that shows up in the fullname field. it also requires that your exchange server be e2k sp2 or better. my guess is that it's using the OWA webDAV functionality to access your mailbox.
-Matt "

And another later mail noting apparently all OK.

" No problems on Word, Excel or Entourage on my powerbook or desktop. Had installed all previous updates. Haven't had a chance to try the Exchange Server compatibility yet and won't probably for a few weeks.
-Gary "

Another problem report from a reader post:

"Since installing the 10.1.4 update this morning, I've been unable to launch Excel and PowerPoint, though Word seems to be running fine for me. I've restarted the computer several times, but each time the application "unexpectedly quits" just after the splash screen loads.
JB"

Another reader said that the Excel/Powerpoint problem (and others) are not uncommon among feedback at Versiontracker's page for the update.

As I said before, I have no need for the Exchange feature so I'm not updating my Office X install, but if anyone else has a suggestion for those that saw a problem with this update let me know.

" Microsoft Exchange Update for Entourage X (Office v. X 10.1.4 Update) This update introduces Microsoft® Exchange Update for Entourage(tm) X, created for Mac users running Mac OS X in organizations that use Microsoft Exchange Server for e-mail messaging and collaboration. Entourage X is an integrated e-mail, calendar, address book, and task manager - all designed specifically for Mac OS X. Now the Exchange Update for Entourage X lets you schedule meetings by accessing free/busy information, synchronize your Entourage calendar and address book with the Exchange server, and look up e-mail addresses in the Exchange global address list. Now you can work smarter with Entourage X. This update also includes improvements to Word X, Excel X, and PowerPoint(tm) X.
Released: 8/4/2003 12:00:00 AM "

Also see below for an update from MS for Palm (and other PDA) device sync with this update.

" Microsoft Handheld Synchronization for Entourage X (version 10.1.4) If you own a Palm handheld, you can synchronize, or transfer, items between Microsoft Entourage X for Mac and your handheld. When you synchronize, Entourage copies the contacts, tasks, notes, and calendar events to and from your handheld. For information about using Microsoft Handheld Synchronization, see Synchronizing Entourage data with Palm handheld data.

Important:

If you are running Microsoft Exchange Update for Entourage X (Office v. X 10.1.4), you must install Microsoft Handheld Synchronization version 10.1.4. (this update)

Microsoft Handheld Synchronization version 10.1.4 works with Microsoft Office v. X 10.1.2 Update or later.
Applies to: Entourage X 10.1.2 or later
Released: 8/26/2002 12:00:00 AM "

"I've not seen this posted here previously. I stumbled across Wordnet in my lengthy search for a local database/dictionary for OS X.

WordNet is a lexical reference system (it's a dictionary and much much more) developed at Princeton University's Cognitive Science Laboratory under the direction of George Miller, James S. McDonnell, Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Emeritus.
(The official WordNet web site is http://www.cogsci.princeton.edu/~wn/)

It's local rather than an online reference like dictionary.com or remote client-server apps associated with the dict protocol.
Wordnet offers much more than a standard dictionary but offers that simplicity as well. There are links to docs, history etc for those interested.
I love apps developed in academia...
Enjoy. -Milhouse "

"I recently wrote a review on your cpu upgrade page regarding a OWC 1.26GHz upgrade a bought.
Among other things I wrote that the Apple system profiler would indicate that a 600mhz G4 was installed. (This issue is noted in the specs/jumper settings pages of my full reviews here - due to the 7455A/B CPU re-using some PLL settings and ASP not reporting certain settings correctly.-Mike)
looking for a solution i found that Sonnet X Tune-Up 1.2.7 app (available on VersionTracker) once installed reported the correct speed :-)
Megamyth also now reports correct speed and ratio (9.5)
all without ill effect
Yours Truly
Yvan C."

Sonnet's X Tune-up (1.2.7 update noted in the news here recently) is available also at their website support/downloads page and (with less clicks) at this Macupdate page.
The FAQ's CPU upgrades section also has a previous tip/workaround for Final Cut Pro 4 users to get around the CPU speed check with that App (for those with 0MHz reported CPU upgrades for instance).

"I bought a policy to cover my computer equipment from Safeware, which covers anything except for being stolen from a car. They even covered my Palm device when I dropped it and cracked the screen.
Accidents only, they won't replace your HD if it goes bad, it's not wear-and-tear insurance.
Carl "

I've never dealt with them personally but remember this company name from many years ago.

• Other World Computing G4 1.4GHz in Sawtooth G4/AGP (rated 10)
• PowerLogix G4 1GHz/1.2GHz in G4 Cube (rated 2)
  (noted wake from sleep issue)
• Powerlogix G4/800 in Sawtooth G4/AGP (rated 1)
  (noted overheating issue with 2nd sample)
• Powerlogix G3/800 in Beige G3 (rated 6)
• Powerlogix G4 Dual 1.2GHz (set to 1.3GHz) in Gigabit G4/AGP (rated 8)
  (noted overheating problems with heavy use)
• XLR8 CarrierZIF w/G3/360 (?) ZIF in 8500/180 (rated 10)
  (My full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here.)
• Apple B&W G3/350 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.)

CD-ROM Drives:
• SCSI Pioneer DR-U12X in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  
  DVD-ROM Drives:
• IDE Liteon XJ-HD165H 16x/48x in B&W G3 (OS 9.1)
  
  DVD-R DVD Recorder Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in single G4 DDR (OS X)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (using modified burn support plugin from FAQ)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  
  DVD+RW Drives:
• IDE HP 300i in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (no burn support - DVD+RW only drives are not good drives for macs - generally only Toast 5 currently supports DVD+R/R+RW drives on the mac - and perhaps Charismac Discscribe, but not iDVD, iTunes, etc. support for this drive)
  
  CDRW Drives:
• IDE LG 8523B 52x24x52 in iMac (OS 9.2)
  (requires case mods, etc.)
• IDE Liteon LTR-52246S (52x24x52x) in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
• IDE Liteon LTR-52246S (52x24x52x) in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (problems noted - jumpered as slave)
  (FYI - Illustrated CD/DVD/CDRW drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs.)
• SCSI Yamaha CRW8424S (8x4x24x) in 8600 (OS 9.1)
  (not bootable from CD)
• SCSI Yamaha CRW4416SX (4x4x16x) used w/G4/AGP (OS X)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Fujitsu MHS2020AT 20GB in PowerBook G3 wallstreet2 (OS X)
  (PB G3 wallstreet illustrated HD install guide here)
• IDE Maxtor 40GB in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 and G4 towers up to the QuickSilver models.
  IDE articles page RAID section has an illustrated guide for adding 2 more drives in the side bays.)
• IDE Maxtor 120GB in iMac G4 (OS X)
  (iMac G4 take-apart here)
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Seagate 20GB used w/Beige G3 (OS X)
  (problems noted)

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.)

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