News Archive for: Tuesday July 17, 2007 (later added items first)
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Price Cuts on Elite-AL FW/USB 2.0 500GB and 750GB Drives
(from site sponsor OWC)

"OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW400+USB2 Solutions - high capacity drops up to $50
The OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW400/USB2 solution line offers up to 750GB of highly reliable, performance storage with connectivity via its two FireWire 400 ports or USB 2.0/1.1 port. The OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro 400+USB2 can stand vertically or be placed horizontally. High Performance, High Reliability - in an amazingly small physical space.
Key features of the OWC Mercury Elite-AL FireWire+USB2 Solutions include:
  • Oxford 911+ based performance bridge solution
  • Two 6 Pin FireWire 400 Ports, One standard USB Port
  • Large 8MB or 16MB Data Buffer
  • Audio/Video Certified
  • Compact (9.0 x 2.1 x 5.8 in), shock resistant Aluminum design
  • EMC/Dantz Retrospect Backup Certified
  • Industry Leading 2 Year Solution Warranty
  • Up to an additional 3 Years Factory Warranty on the hard drive inside.

    ALL OWC Mercury Elite-AL Single Drive Solutions include award willing Prosoft DataBackup III (Latest Version, full retail) for OS X (a $59.95 retail value) and NovaStor NovaBACKUP for Windows (a $49.95 retail value). These are the full retail versions with full retail support. FireWire Cable, USB2 Cable included with each solution. 2 year OWC Solution Warranty + additional HD MFR.

    • 80GB w/8MB Data Buffer remains $109.99
    • 160GB w/8MB Data Buffer remains $124.99
    • 250GB w/16MB Data Buffer remains $129.99
    • 320GB w/16MB Data Buffer remains $169.99
    • 400GB w/16MB Data Buffer remains $179.99
    • 500GB w/16MB Data Buffer now $199.99 ($20 Drop)
    • 750GB w/16MB Data Buffer now $299.99 ($50 Drop)

    UPS Ground from $2.95 and/or 2nd Day Air available for $7.95 or less.
    OWC's full firewire line can be found online here:
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/ "

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    Apple doc w/Tips on Rosetta Apps problems after QT 7.2 Update
    Apple has posted a kbase doc titled Mac OS X: Some applications may not open after QuickTime 7.2 Update:

    " Issue or symptom
    After updating to QuickTime 7.2 on Intel-based Macs, some applications may not open. This issue only occurs with applications that rely on Mac OS X's Rosetta technology for compatibility on Intel-based Macs.

    Products affected
    * Intel-based Macs
    * Power PC-only applications

    Solution
    * Download and install the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Combo Update.
    Note: You can install the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Combo Update even if your computer is already running Mac OS X 10.4.10.

    * If the issue still occurs after running the Mac OS X 10.4.10 Combo Update, follow the steps below.
    Note: These steps include entering commands in the Terminal application. If you are unfamiliar with Terminal and UNIX-style environments, proceed with caution.

    1. Save your work. You will need to restart the computer at the end.
    2. Open Terminal from /Applications/Utilities/.
    3. Type (or cut and paste) the following command in the Terminal window:
        sudo update_prebinding -root / -force
    4. Press Return.
    5. Enter your password when prompted.
    6. The prebinding operation may take a few minutes. When the operation is complete, a new command line prompt will appear.
    7. When the new command line prompt appears, quit Terminal.
    8. Restart your computer.

    This document will be updated as more information becomes available."

    I had asked a couple readers that this problem after the QT 7.2 update if they had quit all running apps and left the Mac alone until it was completed (incl. 'optimizating'/prebinding) and they said no, they had used the mac for browsing, mail, etc. during the update process. I wish Apple would just have updates force a quit of all running apps, etc. (as done in OS 9.x when repairing the boot drive with Disk First Aid...)

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    Apple store down this morning (but no major product changes)
    The Apple store was down earler this morning for updates, but is back up now. I checked the major products and didn't spot any changes to their main products (computers, AppleTV, Wireless, Displays, iPhone, keyboard/mice, etc.) A reader replied:

    " The only thing that was added was the Bluetooth headset for the iPhone. $129 US.
    Greetz, Hendricus "

    Seems odd to take down the store for just adding that one item...

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    Mac Pro/X1900 XT owner notes on WoW FPS Cap preventing artifacts/freezing
    " Well, I have just about had it with the overheating problems I am having with my early revision ATI x1900xt card. I finally decided to contact Apple to see if they would replace the card for me (I called from work but didn't have my serial number so I will have to try again tomorrow) While I was on the phone with Apple I decided to check out the online store to investigate the option of of buying a new replacement ATI x1900xt. Well, to my surprise the ship time for a new ATI x1900xt (Kit/separate card) is listed as 7-10 weeks. I'm thinking that 7-10 weeks is a pretty long time; I am also thinking that this might signal a possible graphics card refresh on the horizon....

    (The X1900 XT artifacts (overheating) sounded familiar, so I asked if he had Checked the X1900 XT heatsink for Dust clogging it-Mike)

    Yeah, I have checked for dust. In fact I clean the card on a regular basis (compressed air) I thought you would like to know that one of the hints I found on the Blizzard website (this hint only applies while playing WoW) has helped immensely. I have found that if I limit the fps in WoW that I no longer see any of the artifacts or freezing that I was experiencing before. All one needs to do is: in the chat field type:

      /console maxfps XX (XX being the desired fps frame limit)

    I currently have mine set at 40 fps and am seeing zero problems. With that said, I hope that there is GPU refresh on the horizon (Perhaps the nVidia 8800)
    Thanks, Julian "

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    Other News/Misc. Software Updates
    (Updated 6:30PM)

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    New/Updated Apple Support Docs

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    Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
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