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News Archive for Friday Dec. 13th, 2002Return to Accelerate Your Mac!

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News stories of Dec. 13th, 2002:

OS X Drivers for Canon USB N650U/N656U/N1220U and D1230UF/D2400UF Scanners
(Note - even though Canon notes onboard USB is required - if you have an older Mac with USB PCI card that is supported in OS X - try it. It may work as often companies just don't officially list PCI USB card support due to the almost infinite number of card brand/system combinations that they cannot test.)
Versiontracker today lists Canon ScanExpert 3.8 for the USB N650U/N656U/N1220U scanners. Note the requirements from the Cannon support page:
    " The ScanExpert v3.8.0X Application is compatible with the iMac, G3 & G4 systems with built-in USB ports. The ScanExpert v3.8.0X Application is for the CanoScan scanners N650U/N656U/N1220U running on Mac OS X v10.1.3 or higher in "Native Mode". This self-extracting application installer assists the user with a guided installation procedure through an intuitive interface. Once the file has UnStuffed, double-click ScanExpert_v380X to begin installation.
    (Note: Adobe Photoshop 7.0 for Mac OS X or Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 for Mac OS X must be installed prior to installing ScanExpert v3.8.0X for the CanoScan N650U/N656U/N1220U scanners)"

As an owner of the N656U (bus powered) scanner for about a year now, I'm glad to finally see this release. The install is in two phases - run the download app, then follow a local web page instructions on running the driver installer from a desktop alias (with the scanner disconnected), then restart and connect the scanner. I've only done a quick scan/test with PS 7 - but it seems ok here on my PB G4 w/10.2.2. (I'm almost leery of installing OS X USB drivers for devices like this that have buttons that are often polled - some (like the HP communications driver) seem to be cpu cycle hogs in 10.2.2 at least. However pressing the button on my N656U does nothing so it apparently is not being polled - which is fine by me.)
Versiontracker also lists Canon ScanExpert v4.1.2 for the D1230UF/D2400UF scanner models which has the same requirements listed as above. (A reader had sent an email earlier this week about these drivers being available at a non-USA canon site, but it got lost in the shuffle here.)

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MacPlay notes Mac Freedom Force Shipping
Macplay sent a press release noting the Mac version of Freedom Force is shipping now. The press release said "MacPlay is offering a FREE limited run Freedom Force T-Shirt to the first 200 customers who purchase the game". (although the FF page noted that's for pre-orders). See the linked page for more info/screenshots/system requirements.
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OS X Drivers for Orange Micro U2 SCSI + FireWire Combo card
(from a reader email)

" Mike, I have an Orange Micro SCSI U2w/ FireWire card, and they never wrote drivers for it. It has been recently discontinued.
I got this response from Orange Micro Tech Support, and I'm passing it on for your readers.

"We have not developed a driver, but you can try a driver that is made for a card using the same chipset (ASC38C0800). We do not support this driver but it may work for you.
www.initio.com/drivers/Advansys/u2w/AdvanSys%20UW_U2W_9-X.hqx"

I tried it, and they work great. I finally can use my SCSI scanner under OS X. (10.2.2)
Also, my cordless phone still turns my computer on and off. It's very weird. (It's a Mac G4/466 digital audio. I had a cordless phone, it died, replaced it with a used cordless phone from AT&T, which is also a remote control for my Mac. No warning, just shuts off. I've dismantled the phone, but it's still weird and no one believes me. :-( Just one of those Mac freaky things, I guess.)
-- Jason M. "

Some past news pages had Advansys card drivers and firmware updates for OS X (not for combo cards like Jason's though) that are now listed in the FAQ.

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Mac Return to Castle Wolfenstein Demo (w/mirrors)
Aspyr has a page with 4 mirrors to download a Demo of Return to Castle Wolfenstein. The 108MB demo has 2 single-player levels. (thanks bluesnews - they noted OS X was required but the Aspyr page doesn't say. The full game runs under OS 9 and OS X.)
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IBM Dec 2002 Newletter Info on PowerPC 970 CPU
(from a reader email)

"Mike,
Just thought you might like to know that the December 2002 issue of IBM PowerPC newsletter is out and gives some facinating information on the PowerPC 970. First they admit that the vector unit is "Altivec compatible" which they "codeveloped". Here's the link:
http://www-3.ibm.com/chips/products/powerpc/newsletter/dec2002/newproductfocus2.html

They also admit the PowerPC 970 will run 32-bit operating systems but with the phrase "minor tweaking". This means it probably won't run Mac OS 9 natively (i.e. not able to boot into Mac OS 9).
Don"

There's been some past links here on the PowerPC 970 that noted production later in 2003 and it's hoped this CPU will be used in future Macs.

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Apple IP over Firewire Preview Release Available Again (w/revised installer)
Apparently the previous installer had a bug which is why it was pulled last week but is back online again as of today. Here's a clip from a Firewire list (thanks Jamie):

" Apple's preview release of IP over FireWire has been posted again. There is no change to the IP driver itself. The installer has been changed so that it should not wipe out Network Preferences, and the license agreement has changed to reflect the Beta nature of this release. ADC membership (which is available for free) is required.

http://developer.apple.com/firewire/IP_over_FireWire.html

We are interested to learn how you are using this software and about any problems that you encounter. But please post to this list rather than writing directly to individuals at Apple.

Please remember that this is Beta software and it should not be installed on systems where it could disrupt important services.
Eric "

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Mac Community Helps Catch Ebay Forger

Erik Wehr sent a note that a victim of eBay fraud (forged checks used to buy Macs) has caught the guy, thanks to the Mac community. The original story URL (http://www.remodern.com/caught.html) wasn't responding last night but I found the story also posted at http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/28548.html.
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Rate Your CPU Upgrade Reports Database Updated
The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated today with 3 new reports. Total to date: 7,818. (Entries made today are posted the next newsday morning.)
Here's a summary of the updates added today :

  • Apple G3/450 ZIF (from B&W G3) in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  • PowerLogix G4 Dual 1GHz in G4 /450 AGP (rated 9)
  • PowerLogix G4 Dual 1GHz in Dual G4 /450 (rated 6)

(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.)

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CDRW/CD/DVD/Hard Drive/Cardreader Compatibility Database Update Listing
The Drive Compatibility searchable database had 10 new reports added this morning. The database includes reports on Combo DVD-CDRW, CDROMs, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, CDRW, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, CF/Smartmedia readers, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, Firewire, SCSI, adapters). Current total 9,259 reports.

    CD-ROM Drive Reports:
  • IDE Acer BENQ CD656A (56x) in Beige G3 (OS 9.1)

    DVD-ROM Drive Reports:
  • IDE Matshita SR8583 5x/32x in Beige G3 (OS 9.1)
  • IDE Pioneer DVD-106S (16x DVD/40x CD) in 855 using IDE PCI Card (OS X)

    DVD-R DVD Recorder Drive Reports:
  • IDE Pioneer DVR-A05U (DVR-105) in G4/AGP (OS X)

    DVD+RW Drive Reports:
  • Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Memorex DVD+RW used w/G4 AGP (OS 9.2)
    (listed under other brands - not a good choice for macs.)

    IDE CDRW Drive Reports:
  • Lite-On LTR-48125W (48x12x48x) in G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
  • Teac CD-W548E (48x16x48x) in B&W G3 (OS X)
    (using modified plugin file for iTunes/burn support)
    (FYI - Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs.)

    Firewire CDRW Drive Reports:
  • Philips PCRW4816K (48X16X48) in FW case used w/Dual G4 (OS X)
    (no itunes support)

    IDE Hard Drive Reports:
  • Seagate ST380021A 80GB in iMac slot loading (OS X)

    Firewire Hard Drive Reports:
  • AcomData 40GB used w/iBook 2000 (OS X)
    (listed under "other" brands)

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.]
(Entries today will be added the following newsday. 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.)

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Reader Game Reviews Database Updated
The Rate Your Mac Games database updates today included another review of Soldier of Fortune II. Total Reviews (all titles): 996. To read game reviews use the search page.
If you've not already done so - Enter a Game review. Please include as much detail as possible in your review comments. (If your game title is not in the long listing, select "other game" and note the title in the comments)
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News pages from 1, 2 and 3 years ago:
(Sometimes these old pages are a bit embarrassing - and in many cases the offsite links may not work and comments there were accurate only on the date posted regarding upgrade availability, etc.)

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