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Top stories of Dec. 18th, 2000: |
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| New Apple CPU Plugins v2.7 for Dual G4 Systems: |
A forum post this weekend here tipped me off to the fact if you run Software Update on a dual G4 system you'll see a new "Apple CPU Plugins v2.7" download from Apple. It installs as a single "Apple CPU Plugins" file in your System Folder/Multiprocessing Folder. (Readers commented that this update may fix wake from sleep issues some reported with dual G4 systems running v2.6 of the plugin. One reader commented v2.5 of the Plugin didn't have the issue.) I welcome other reader feedback on the update and any benefit it provides.
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| MRJ 2.3.3 Security Hole: |
| [Update: On Jan 18th, 2001 MRJ 2.2.4 was made available via OS 9's Software Update Control Panel and is reported to fix this security issue. It should appear later at Apple's Software Updates page.] Two readers sent word of a serious Java security hole in MRJ 2.3.3 (Mac Runtime for Java). The first reader said he posted details on the issue in the forums, but didn't note where. (The problem was first noted by Dr. Takagi on October 25th, 2000.) The 2nd reader mail included a link to the Apple Discussion forums where the problem is outlined, with links to test pages to show the issue - where all files on your hard drive can be read from a malicious java applet. See this Apple Discussions forum thread [Link expired] on the issue, which has links to test pages and a list of Browser/versions affected. (You need to be registered at Apple's forums to view the message.) [NOTE: Links to forums will not work in the future due to the aging of messages, however the author of the post on this securty issue is to send a copy of his message/info for mirroring here permanently in the Software section of the Misc. articles page.]
Until an update to MRJ fixes this issue, the solution is to disable Java (MRJ) in your browser.
Related Links:
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| Buy $249.xx Nomad II 64MB MP3 Player, get Creative 8x4x32x CDRW Drive for $49.xx |
| The weekend Staplies sales flyer here has a limited time offer for an instant $100 off the Creative 8x/4x/32x CDRW drive when you buy a Creative Nomad II MP3 player. (Which is one of the better MP3 players in my opinion, with 64MB Smartmedia card, voice recording, FM tuner, carry case, wired remote, decent headphones. My only gripe is the Mac Nomad Manager doesn't support long file names.) Supplies and participation may vary, but the local store here said the sale is good until this Saturday.
It figures this would happen since last week I bought myself a Nomad II when I saw the price drop to $249 (my Xmas present). I'm not sure how Mac compatible the Creative 8x4x32x IDE CDRW drive would be. To date there have been no reports on Creative IDE drives in the Drive Compatibility Database. (I searched under "other brands".) If you've used this Creative drive in a IDE based Mac or Firewire/IDE case, please post a report in the database.
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| D-Link $49.95 Firewire PCI Card: |
While in the local Staples store today I noted they also have 3 different Firewire PCI cards for under $50. The Maxtor card (2 port, uses Lucent chip), the Digital Research card (4 port, one is internal, unknown chipset) and the D-Link 3 port card which I just bought . The Matox and Digital Research cards had a connector for power from the system power supply (rather than the PCI bus), which is a plus (esp. for some older Macs), but I chose the D-Link card since it had a TI chipset (faster write speeds from past tests here) and the fact it included a Firewire cable (6 pin to 4 pin, the types used by Digital Camcorders). I didn't notice until after buying it that it didn't have a power supply connector, but so far it seems fine with my Portable Firewire drives. (Using Apple firewire drivers.)
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| Disk First Aid v8.6 Feedback (Diskwarrior reporting wrapper problem?) |
I've not had any problems with Disk First Aid v8.6 (see last Friday's news story) and it found/fixed wrapper problems on every OS 9.04 drive I tested here. I've restarted my PB G3 and Dual G4/500 several times after DS 8.6 repaired the wrapper without any problems so far, but reader Bob Friede reported less positive results:
"
Today my HD mysteriously went down and once again I was saved from sheer
disaster by Disk Warrior. That flashing question mark just isn't as scary
as it used to be.
Oddly enough though, what DW found most wrong was the
wrapper that DFA 8.6 had just "repaired" a few days ago. Maybe DFA 8.6
isn't so great after all. So far it's the only utility I have that
reports anything wrong with the wrapper.
Bob F"
(BTW - Alsoft's "Ask AL" column today had a description of what a volume "wrapper" is.) If anyone else has had problems with DFA 8.6, please let me know (include your system/disk details in reports). If you missed last week's news, there are English-North America and English-International versions available.
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| Battery Reset Utility Feedback: |
| Tom Koons wrote to say that the Battery Reset utility noted in last Thursday's news worked well on his PB G3 wallstreet.
"
Thanks for posting that info on the PB battery problems. I did not have
that 10min only issue but for the longest time my counter only showed
about 51min available on a full charge? I did get about an hour before
the warnings started to it was correct in its mind :)
After seeing your posting I tried the battery reset 2.0 and it worked
great! after letting it charge over night my batter now showed 4 hrs
40min of run time! With HD use it fluctuates drastically but is hanging
around 3hrs. I only hope thats true :) I am running it on battery now to
test. I have CPU cycle on and reduced speed off, turn off power to PC
cards not in use ON, and the screen is on the lowest visible setting.
I did add up to 196MB RAM and just got the DVD decoder card and DVD
drive recently. I was thinking that the ram may have caused a larger
drain but that was just not so. Its still running the puny stock HD :) I
need to change that!
Thanks again, Tom"
The Battery Reset Utility is available at asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11542. (And BTW - there are illustrated hard drive upgrade guides for PowerBook Wallstreet and Firewire models in the PB section of the systems page and the IDE articles page here.)
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| Drive Compatibility Database Updates: |
| The Drive Compatibility searchable database had 14 new entries posted this morning (current total 2,210). Entries from after midnight are added the following day. Note: I've added "Firewire to SCSI Adapter" as an interface type. I welcome reports on drives used with adapters. (Please note the adapter brand/model and if the drive was bootable in your comments.)
DVD ROM Drives:
- SCSI Toshiba SD-M1401 in PowerCenter/Pro
(notes could not play DVD movies with Intech drivers v5.5)
CDROM Drives:
- IDE Creative Blaster 52x in Beige G3
(filed under "other" brands. Not bootable and
had to remove bezel due to tray width and button location)
- IDE Kenwood TrueX 72x in Beige G3
(not bootable)
CDRW Drives:
- Firewire/SCSI Adapter with SCSI Yamaha 8424 (used w/G4 Cube)
- Firewire Madlogix 12x10x32 w/G4 AGP
(filed under "other" brands)
- IDE Samsung SW-208B in ADS Firewire case w/B&W G3
(filed under Firewire interface)
- Firewire Sony CRX1600L (12x/8x/32x) w/G4 AGP
Hard Drives:
- IDE IBM 75GXP 45GB in 9600/350 w/PCI IDE card
(notes no stuttering audio/video)
- IDE IBM 75GXP 45GB in 9600 w/PCI IDE card
(notes using 36" IDE cables caused problems, they
exceed the max (spec/recommended) length for UltraATA of 18")
- IDE Maxtor 45GB in 6500
- IDE Maxtor 80GB in Beige G3
- IDE Quantum 20GB in ADS Firewire case w/G4 AGP
(filed under Firewire interface)
- IDE Seagate 10GB in B&W G3 rev 1 (problems noted)
- IDE Western Digital 20GB in Performa 5280
You can find these full reports by searching the database with the drive/brand/mac models listed above selected (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.
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| Rate Your CPU Upgrade Database Updates: |
| The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 12 new reports (total to date: 4,952). [Entries from after midnight will be added the following day.]
- Newer Tech G4/400 in 9600/200 (rated 8)
- Newer Tech G4/400 in 7600/132 (rated 8)
- Metabox G3/500 in Umax S900 (rated 10)
- Metabox G3/500 in 9500/132 (rated 6)
(notes having to run lower bus speed)
- PowerLogix BlueChip G3/466 in PowerBook G3 Wallstreet2 (rated 8)
(noted a problem with the rom flashing and a Toshiba 20GB drive - the
2nd report of this issue with a Toshiba 20GB drive. Also noted upper
ram slot not working, which is not common)
- Sonnet G3/400 in 8600/250 (rated 10)
- Sonnet G3/400 in 7300/180 (rated 9)
(noted problems with GV modem after upgrade)
- Sonnet G3/333 in PowerBook 1400c/117 (rated 1)
(noted frequent crashes)
- Sonnet G3/400 in 7100/80AV (rated 10)
- XLR8 CarrierZIF w/OWC G3/300 ZIF in Umax S900 (rated 8)
- Apple Dual G4/500 OC report
- Apple B&W G3/350 OC report (15 months at 400Mhz)
You can find these 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)
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| Video Card Game/Benchmark Performance Database Updated: |
| Updates to the Mac Game/Video Card Performance database included:
- Cinebench 2000 from 4400 with G3/300 upgrade and ix3D Ultimate Rez.
- Unreal Tournament (1024x768) from G4/400 w/Radeon AGP
- Unreal Tournament (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768) from B&W G3/400 w/Rage128 card
- UT Wicked400 Demo (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768) from B&W G3/400 w/Rage128 card
- Quake3 (640x480) from G4/350 AGP with Rage128 Pro card
(Entries after midnight are added the following day.) Total entries in the database to date: 2,287. If you haven't already, enter your results with any of the game titles or benchmarks listed on the entry page (details on how to test are there). If you're curious how a CPU upgrade or new Video card would help game performance, the search page options can help you find similar system/configurations to get an idea before you buy.
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