Tips For Retrospect Express 4.1/Yamaha 6416S CDR: A reader replies to the earlier post on Retrospect Express 4.1/Yamaha 6416 CDR compatibility noting he's had no problems after a driver and firmware update:

"I read this with a great deal of surprise. I use a Yamaha 6416s to backup my StarMax computer on a weekly basis using Retrospect Express 4.1. I did have some initial problems with the set-up, but I downloaded the 4.1 driver update from Dantz and a firmware update from Yamaha http://www.yamahayst.com/techsup/download2.htm and have had no backup/restore problems since. I swapped out hard drives and used Retrospect Express to backup and restore over a gig of data with no problems and no lost data. This is on a StarMax 5500 with a G3/L2 upgrade running OS 8.5.1 using the built-in SCSI bus.
FWIW
Dave "

VPC 3.0/FWB CDT 4.01 Issues: The earlier post on problems with VPC recognizing a CD drive apparently is due to using FWB's CDrom Toolkit v4.01, which is not compatible with VPC 3.0. See the latest entry in the FAQ's CDR/CDROM topic area for more info on this issue. Downgrading either VPC or CDT is said to be the only current fix. However I don't think CDT 3.02 is OS 9 compatible based on FWB's CDT FAQ (which does not list the VPC 3.0 issue with CDT v4.01 as of today). For owners of non-Apple CD extension compatible drives, I'd suggest trying the resedit hack of the Apple Driver or perhaps the demo version of www.intechusa.com's CD drivers.

8500 to PC ATX Case Conversion: As promised, I've created an article on Dan Calhoun's 'Macinstein' 8500/ATX Case Conversion. I can't guarantee the wiring diagrams, etc. are 100% accurate and don't suggest you try this yourself. This article is for entertainment purposes only.

Copper IBM vs Alum. Motorola G3/450s: I'm getting a lot of mail asking about the differences in these CPUs, especially since some Beige G3 owners reported problems with the copper G3/450 IBM CPUs (in the news here and in my database). There is no real performance difference in these CPUs, but as noted last year in the IBM vs Moto G3 article here, the copper CPU does run a bit cooler. (Note that article is about a year old, so specs may have changed.)

Although not all beige G3 owners had problems with copper 450's - personally I'd suggest the Motorola G3/450 CPU as a safer bet for beige G3 owners (and it only costs $239). Here's a mail from a regular reader that says the temperature difference (reported) in his Beige G3 was minimal, and the OWC Motorola G4/450 ran fine where two copper IBMs didn't previously:

"Mike:
Happy to report that after two days if extremely intensive testing of the Motorola G3/450 from OWC, the chip came through with flying colors. I've been running the ZIF at 466/233: not one crash, freeze, of anything of the sort in over 48 hours. All of the problems that were plaguing the IBM processors seem to be non-existent with the Motorola ones. By the way, the motos are running only marginally warmer than the IBMs. The two that I have received are running between 27C and 35 C after hours of RAMometer or Unreal.

So far the only testing that I have done is on my own home testbed, which is a revision 3 Beige G3. Tomorrow I will actually install one in a client's machine, which is a revision 1 Beige Desktop. Will let you know how that goes. Do not expect to run into problems though.
Cheers,
Gene Shekhtman "

As I've noted here and in the database hundreds of times, don't consider the temperatures reported by these software utilities as 100% accurate (especially with copper CPUs, which in some cases I've seen indicate temps below ambient which is of course impossible with only a passive heatsink). If your CPU is overheating, you'll know it quickly (Finder errors, lockups, etc.).

BTW: For those that do not want to mess with motherboard jumper setting changes required on all OEM ZIFs to set the correct CPU speed (see my review of the Mercury ZIFs for more details), OWC says they do have some 'drop-in' G3/450 models that do not require any motherboard jumper setting changes. These models will not be overclockable, but may be a better fit for owners that don't want to void their Apple warranty or deal with jumpers.

To see beige G3 system CPU upgrade owner reports - search my Rate Your CPU Upgrade database (about 3,200 total entries now and growing daily). You can select your Mac model and optionally an upgrade brand to limit searches.

Cinema Display/Widescreen DVD Workaround: Eden Sheery sent a email to me and most other web sites regarding a workaround for widescreen playback issues on the Cinema display. The article has details on the 4:3 aspect ratio limit of the current DVD player and a CinemaDVD 1.0 hack.

More Que USB CDR Tips: The latest reader feedback and tips on the Que USB CDR:

"Dear Mike,
I have a Que! USB 4x4x8 CDR and I am using the the OEM version of Toast 4.0.1.1. I have been able to burn both CDR & CDRW media successfully at 4X speeds. I have it connected directly to the #1 USB port in my BW G3 450.(The #2 port writes at 4X were unreliable)

The real trick to getting the QUE! drive to work is properly configuring the computers disk cache and Toast's cache settings. The only settings which have been reliable for me have been to set the computers disk cache in the memory control panel to 1024k and turn virtual memory off. In the Toast preferences window set the Ram cache to 2MB. It seems that when using Toast and a USB drive allocating more memory to the RAM Cache does not provide any speed increase due to the limitations of USB. Also don't forget to increase Toast's Memory Allocation to at least 10285k. These settings have been working for me for 4X Data recording and 2X Audio(Max).
Derek Gordon "

"I picked up a Que USB CD-RW about 2 weeks ago to complement my PowerBook G3/400. I initially have had some problems, but nothing MASSIVE, like everyone else is reporting. I'm using Adaptec Toast 3.5.7 USB version. Adaptec Toast 4 deluxe does NOT recognize the drive in any way shape or Form. [As noted in yesterday's news and at the Adaptec Toast Updates page, Toast 4 (retail) users have to download the Que drive support update using Web CheckUp option from Toast 4's Internet menu.-Mike]

I picked up the Que Drive as a Replacement for the Sony Spressa USB, which ... never ever worked.

I've used the Que drive on my PowerBook under Mac OS 9 and 9.0.1f1 aka Minuet (I am an Apple Developer). The Que drive rarely burns at 4x successfully on the PowerBook, it could be drive speed related, but I tend to think not, since I use a Firewire (RATOC) PCMCIA card and usually keep my data there that goes to the burner.

I have successfully burned at LEAST 20 audio CD's. All were burned at 2X.

I've given up on trying to get 4x burn speeds, I'm using the QUE CD's that are rated up to 12x (no misburns with my LaCIE 8x with these discs).

I might recommend updating the USB drivers on everyone's machines who are having problems with the QUE drive. Download the Apple USB dev kit (currently at 1.4f3) and follow the instructions VERY carefully. I can't believe so many different users are reporting so many various problems, I have had no difficulty in using the drive at all, too bad I can't get the 4x burns, but other than that, it's a great piece of equipment.
chris "

I'm adding these comments later today to the FAQ's CDR thread on the Que drive. I've also updated the CDR/CDrom topic area info on Sony CRX120/140 drive issues with a note from a reader that Toast 4 didn't work with either drive (Discribe did he said).

Yamaha 6416S CDR/CDT 4.01/Retrospect Express 4.1/VPC Problem Report: [Update - a reader's reply to this post indicates he's seeing no problems with Retrospect Express 4.1 and the same 6416 Yamaha CDR with firmware update. Another reader sent a note that FWB's current CD drivers v4.01 are not VPC compatible, as I suspected was a possible reason for the problem below.]

"Mike, just wanted to pass along a problem I am experiencing with Retrospect Express 4.1 and the Yamaha CD-RW 6416S (external SCSI version). Retrospect Express does not "see" the Yamaha. I contacted Dantz and they indicated that although they originally thought the Yamaha 6416 was supported, they have since determined that there are compatibility issues between Retrospect Express 4.1 and the Yamaha 6416. The tech support rep at Dantz stated they are working with Yamaha to resolve the issue. Not much help at this point since I have to back up my system is 650MB chunks using Toast 4.01. Not an ideal solution, but better than no back up at all.

On another slightly related note, I cannot get VPC (any version) to recognize my internal CD-ROM, and according to Connectix, VPC does not support CD-RW's like the Yamaha 6416 yet. Connectix was unable to figure out what was causing my problems and I have honestly given up resolving the issue. I have a Power Computing PowerTower Pro 225 upgrade with an XLR8 366MHz G3 card, 224MB RAM, 30GB of hard drive storage and the ATI Rage 128 VR. Any bright ideas out there?
Mike FitzGibbon "

[He noted he's using FWB's CDrom Toolkit 4.01, which is not compatible with VPC 3.0. See the latest entry in the FAQ's CDR/CDROM topic area for more info on this issue. Downgrading either VPC or CDT is said to be the only current fix. However CDT 3.0x I don't think is OS 9 compatible.]

2940UW/Sonnet G3 Upgrade Comments: This Umax S900 owner commented updating the firmware on his 2940UW SCSI card seemed to improve performance:

"Hi Mike,
Got this Sonnet Crescendo G3 PCI 466 Mhz at Mac World for $460. Cannot change any settings, but seemed like a decent deal. I replaced my NewerTech G3 300/200 Mhz backside/512k running system bus at 50 Mhz with it and was a little disappointed at first. However, I noticed that Sonnet warned of an incompatibility with Adaptec UW 2940 card (which I have) so I went to the Adaptec site and they recommended upgrading to later version firmware. They had version 4.1 firmware and version 5.1 Power Domain Control panel, but there was a warning about certain clones possibly not being compatible. I presumed that they probably meant the Power Computing clones, since I have not noticed any irregularities with my Umax relative to equivalent Macs in the past.

I disabled the existing PowerDomain control panel in Extensions manager, installed new 5.1 version, crossed fingers and flashed the Adaptec card with the new firmware. Rebooted fine. It is now substantially faster and has been very stable for about 5 days. Unreal gets an average of around 30 fps w/Voodoo 3 3000 at 1284x1024 (low around 14, high around 56). Access to Ultrastar connected to Adaptec card is noticeably faster after firmware update. Metronome reports average temperature is around 39 centigrade. (Currently running OS9 with 400 Megs of RAM and VM off, Interex USB card and mouse working fine too.)
Ashby "

Reader Review Databases Updated: The Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance databases were updated last night.

More OWC Sales: Sponsor Other World Computing (OWC) has set-up an xlr8yourmac specials page listing popular CPU and other upgrades all on one page. A few items are lower than the normal sales price I'm told.

For a blast from the past see what was on the front page news here one year ago.

Thursday's News Summary

• Scansoft Aquires Kai Low-End Line
• OS 9 Software Update 1.1.1 released (sort of)
• Apple TIL on QT 4.1 problems
• OWC Bonus Carrier/ZIF Bundle
• Griffin USB/ADB Adapter/Studio Display Notes
• More on Que USB CDR/Toast 4
• Apple $788 ADB LCD Displays and Griffin USB/ADB Adapter
• Acer 10X DVD Drive Report/Tip
• More iMac DV/CVGS Reports
• Toast 4 and USB CDRs
• Rainbow Six Column Issue 5
• XLR8 comments on Interex Chapter 11 Filing
• PowerForce G3/500 ZIF 10X Setting
• Sawtooth G4 CPU Design Page Correction
• Sawtooth G4 CPU Module Details Page Correction
• Reminder: Web Page Language Translator
• Software Updates: List Pad and Apple USB DDK
• Nikon 990 Digital Camera preview
• New topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Wednesday's News Summary

• $788 Apple 15" LCD Displays
• TIL on Apple G3/G4 RAM and Powered USB Devices Issue
• $699 iMac 333's/ $113 Maxtor 17GB drive sales
• More on iMac DV/CGVS Issues
• iMac DV/CVGS Problems
• Turbomax/OS 9/Maxtor 27GB
• More OWC/Beige G3/450 Reports
• BF Arsenal Mod Download File Fixed
• Grim Fandango on VPC
• Raves for Lightwave 3D v6 (Beta):
• List of Software Updates
• Canon 3.3 MegaPixel Digital Camera
• Download links for G4 optimized Peak 2.10 update
• 3dfx updates Voodoo2 and Voodoo3 Drivers
• New topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Tuesday's News Summary

• Audio Update 1.2 Pulled
• Powerforce card substitutions/reasons for low speeds
• PF G4/350 review updated to note Unreal test res.
• BitBoys 3D News
• Another Slower Win OS?
• Maxtor 40GB IDE Drive Feedback
• Latest ACard ATA/66 News
• TurboMax Support Feedback
• iMac DV Questions - see the review
• More B&W G3 Rev 1 Slave Drive Feedback
• $139 Sony 4X SCSI CDR
• Bias Peak Software Update Adds Altivec Support
• CarrierZIF 1.0 and G4 Upgrades
• Notes on OWC G3/450s
• Ratings Databases Updated
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Misc Net news
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Monday's News Summary

• Rush Limbaugh's 500MHz G4?
• Toast 4.1 Update Soon
• Video Capture Tip
• Mexico Retailer Buying CompUSA?
• PowerForce G4/350 CPU Upgrade Review
• Game News page updated (game doctor+)
• 2 Rainbow Six Mods Reviewed
• Networkable Postscript Laser/Copiers (reader recommendations)
• TrueX 72X IDE CDROM Drive Report
• PB 2400/G3 Upgrades and OS 9
• MP3 Encoders Compared
• XLR8 Support Message Board
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Samsung profits up 90% (wise investment by Apple)
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

For links to older news pages see the Archives page.

The recent features page has a lists reviews/articles you may have missed.

For a guide to finding answers to questions - see my Site Guide page.

Considering a CPU Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. Readers post new entries daily and the database is updated several times a week. The current database has more than 2,800 reports and growing.