"After updating to 10.3.5, I have run the (Xbench) benchmark many times, including with only my CL2 sticks, and after restarting, zapping PRAM, even resetting the PMU, and it is consistently 8-12 points lower, which equates to 9.6-14.3%. Most remarkably, system fill rate has dropped from around than 700MB/s to around 550MB/s. All other scores in the memory section are also nominally lower, but fill rate saw the biggest drop. Sorry, don't have any real-world tests to provide, except that the system is not noticeably slower, at least not to me.

All of my RAM is PC133, a mix of CL2 and CL3. In 10.3.4 and previous, it all showed up as PC100 2-2-2, and in OS 9, it shows up as PC100 2-2-2 and PC100 3-2-2. Now, in 10.3.5, it shows up as PC133 3-3-3.

I thought that the Sawtooth did run PC133 CL3 RAM as PC100 CL2 automatically. I know what you mean though, Steve's not big on users configuring those kinds of things... (I had mentioned that some PC133 CL3 can run at PC100/CL2, at least with PCs where you can tweak the bios' memory settings)
Thanks, Jordan "

I don't consider Xbench to be the final word on testing (and have seen more variation at times in run/run scores even w/same os/same system with it in the past). However maybe 10.3.5 is running the memory at CL3 where previously it was running with CL2 timing. (As mentioned before, If there's even one CL3 dimm installed then all dimms run at CL3 timing, however some PC133 CL3 dimms can run CL2 speeds, but with the Mac you're not in control of that.) Not sure if v1.3 is 10.3.x compaible, but for B&W G3/Beige G3/G4 PCI (Yikes) models, (iMac 233-333 and PB G3 wallstreet also use the "Grackle" controller), Grackle Probe can report the memory timing actually being used. It was last updated for 10.2.x use though - no reports on using it with 10.3.x yet
Still the fill rate scores show more of a drop than I'd expect from that. I wonder if 10.3.5 background processes are a factor perhaps but if any other reader has seen similar drops in memory performance let me know the details.

A Powerbook G4 owner wrote that after the 10.3.5 update one of his 512MB SODIMMs was shown as only 256MB. (The last time I saw something like this was the 2001 firmware update from apple that didn't recognize any dimms that didn't have CL3 timing in the dimm's SPD. All my memory was ok with that firmware update, although some readers did see the problem with some dimms - usually fixable with dimm first aid as mentioned on the Firmware Update 4.1.7/4.1.8 "Lost RAM" Issues/Tips back then. But the entire dimm wasn't recognized, not just 1/2 of it.)

"I upgraded from 10.3.4 on a 15.2 Aluminium 1.25Ghz powerbook, and the amount of RAM the system recognizes immediately went down from 1GB to 768MB. For what it's worth, the RAM came from the Apple Store where I bought it, and was installed by Apple before I brought the machine home. The upper RAM chip is still 512MB, but the lower one now reads 256MB. Until I installed the upgrade, it listed both as 512MB.
Any suggestions?!
Thanks! Dharmadas "

Odd that it still shows 256MB of the 512MB dimm. (In the past the entire dimm would be listed as incompatible/not shown.) If the usual OS X update problem tips don't help I'd contact Apple to get the dimm replaced personally. I'd also try removing the dimm (power off/battery out, etc. first), boot up the system without that dimm installed, then shut down and reinstall it (also with power off/disconnected of course). My AL PB G4/17in with transintl 512MB Sodimm (plus the OEM 512MB) are both still recognized OK in 10.3.5.
If anyone else seems missing/misreported memory in 10.3.5 send the details on your setup/memory. (For other reader feedback on this topic, see Wednesday's news.)

"Mike, Not sure where to file this one, but I think this is a 10.3.5 bug. After updating to 10.3.5, I recently plugged my M-Audio keyboard into my Rev A G5, and found that it wasn't being recognized. It wasn't just a MIDI problem, since the device itself was never detected on the USB bus. I tried every USB port with no luck. I rebooted, cleared PRAM, etc. Still no luck. The keyboard worked fine on other Macs I own, so I know the keyboard wasn't the problem.

Then I remembered that I had a copy of 10.3.4 on a backup firewire drive, so I booted the G5 from 10.3.4 and sure enough the keyboard worked just fine. I looked through the 10.3.4 extensions folder and found that AppleUSBAudio.kext file was a earlier revision than the same file in 10.3.5. For the heck of it, I copied the 10.3.4 version into my 10.3.5 Extensions folder and then booted from 10.3.5. Sure enough, the keyboard works fine again. I don't like the idea of mucking around in the innards of the OS, but at least the keyboard works again.

I preserved a copy of the 10.3.5 kext file in case I need to go back to the original state, but have you heard about anything like this from anyone else?
Steve "

Disconnecting and reconnecting USB devices is an old tip for problems after an os x update, but that didn't help it seems. Were any of the other macs you tested it OK with running 10.3.5? Any other USB devices affected?
Did you try (the usual knee-jerk tips) of running Repair Permissions on the drive before replacing the extension? (common troubleshooting tips with OS X updates are to run RP from disk utility, and even reapply the update from the combo updater download)
If any other owners of the M-Audio keyboard are using it under 10.3.5, let me know if you've seen any problems.
(For other reader feedback on this, see Wednesday's news.)

"Hi Mike,
I just spent over 4 hours on the phone with HP technical support, and it's official. Mac OSX 10.3.5 breaks all printing to the HP designJet 800ps large format printer. We tried everything imaginable (firmware updates, driver downloads, usb or network connection, changed the printheads, deleted preferences, 3 different Macs, removal of the JetDirect card, re-seating the memory, etc.), and then finally they tell me they haven't installed the 10.3.5 update yet.
So they did, and as expected they could no longer print either. If anybody has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
Jon K.
Art Director "

I assume he tried the usual tips (disconnect/reconnect the device, repairing permissions, reapplying a combo update, etc.) but if it's a driver compatibility problem that won't help.
If anyone has any suggestions for Jon, let me know. (Several readers later replied to this posting - see Wednesday's news for their reports/tips/suggestions.)

I've also updated the 10.3.5 Update feedback/tips page for the above reports, including another reader that said resetting the PMU solved his firewire drive problems. (Still trying to catch up on mails on 10.3.5 in the last few days due to other work. )

• AirPort Express Assistant can't find AirPort Express when using a firewall AirPort Express Assistant and AirPort Admin utility both use various IP ports to locate your AirPort Express.
• What to do if "Allow Bluetooth devices to wake this computer" option is not available
• How iTunes remembers audio CDs
• Windows PC does not start up when iPod is connected

• Other World Computing G4/1.4GHz in (Quicksilver) G4/AGP (rated 9)
• Powerlogix Dual G4/1.2GHz (7457) in (Quicksilver) G4/AGP (rated 10)
• Sonnet G4/500 in B&W G3 (no rating given, includes comments on problems with 2 motherboards after using the firmware patcher
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. - see 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.)

Combo DVD-CDR Drives:
• IDE Sony CRX830E (24x16x24x +8x DVD-ROM) in iBook 2001 (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire (cased) Pioneer DVR-108 used w/Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (no iapps burn support yet, so use Patchburn II for Panther. He noted an error when trying to close the disc at the end of a DL burn in Toast 6.0.7.)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Seagate (7200rpm) 120GB in G4 Cube (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.)