Another Toshiba CDRW/DVD Combo Drive Report: (From the latest updates to the Drive Compatibility Database.)

" David R.
Toshiba Combo DVD/CDRW (SDR1002)
G4/PCI (Yikes) w/OS 8.6

I bought a Toshiba ATA DVD/CD-RW drive off the shelf to see if it would work in my G4 'yikes'. I connected it just like any other ATA CD or DVD even though the box had no mention of Mac support, and I simply used Apple's CD/DVD drivers. The drive is 24X CD-read, 4X write, 4X re-write, and 4X DVD, and cost me $329. I've been using it for a few months now and it's been working on my Mac without incident.

The drive comes with no Mac software or DVD hardware, but I've been using it just fine with Toast and a Wired4DVD PCI decoder card. I haven't had a bad burn yet of a CD or a CD-RW, but I've only used Verbatim media. Toast says when it starts up that this is an unsupported drive, but you can just click okay and move on. Additionally, toast wants to make the drive burn at 6X, but I have always turned it back down to 4X because that is what the drive is rated as on the box. Additionally, you can startup on a Mac with this drive, something my old 2X/20X DVD drive couldn't do.

This may be a little nichy, but I have been really impressed with the drive, and I'm glad I took a chance on buying it. It's nice to be able to burn, watch DVDs, and use any CD in one drive that costs far less and performs better than a DVD-RAM. I'm pretty sure that this drive will work in any ATA G3 or G4, and should even work with the Apple player as long as you have an ATI card. However, I really recommend the Wired4DVD decoder because: I know it works, the card has no video/audio sync problems, and you can still work on your Mac while watching a movie."

The main attraction for this drive is for owners of B&W G3s and G4 systems where there is only room for one CD sized drive in the case. With a combo drive you can have a DVD ROM and CDRW drive internally. At some places on the net the Toshiba combo drive is under $260 (noted at the site news in May 2000). Not a bad deal really, if you don't need faster than 4x CDRW/CDR performance. Before the drive compatibility database was started, the first Mac owner reports of the Toshiba combo drive (and Ricoh combo drive) are listed in the FAQ's CDR section. I like my Wired4DVD card as well. It's much more responsive than the software player as far as controls, has great TV out (very sharp, as good as my Toshiba home DVD player) and AC3 audio out. Downside is that the pass-thru design means if you run high resolutions on your monitor the text will not be as sharp, but at 1024x768 it looked great to me. I reviewed the Wired4DVD some months back (included in the video topics list of articles and reviews).

Today's list of Software Updates, Apple TILs and other Net news links is lighter than usual (the weekday listing is massive most days). Thanks again to Barney Buoy for the links.

IBM 75GXP IDE Drive First Impressions: Yesterday my IBM 46GB drive arrived ($275 plus shipping). I wanted to say that after looking this drive over I'm impressed. It seems very well made for an IDE drive (read lower cost). But, as I've heard on past IBM IDE drives, the label for jumper settings is the most confusing I've seen. (Being an OEM drive all you get is the drive.) The label appears to be made to show the possible settings for several models (15 head, 16 head and a separate list for a 32GB setting). It's not that I could not figure it out, but some buyers may be confused. (Since most all drives ship set to master, just compare the jumpers on the drive to the label settings for master.)

I'm going to install it in my G4/AGP system and will document the jumper settings, install guide and performance tests comparing it to the Maxtor Plus40 I reviewed previously in the B&W G3 (ATA/33 onboard controller). Since the G4 has an ATA/66 interface it will be a better test bed for these fast drives. Until I post my results, the past page here on IBM 75GXP drive performance is worth a look if you missed it. Very impressive sustained rates with these new IBM drives.

IBM 75GB Drive Review: It's tested in a PC, but this PCmag review gave high marks for the IBM 75GB model. I chose the 45GB due to pricing. The 60GB model was almost $200 more for only 33% more capacity and the 75GB model (appx $630) was not in stock. A reader last week noted Fry's had some 75GB models for $600+ but only a few were in stock (probably sold out now).

DirectCD 1.05 Patch/Yamaha 8X SCSI CDRW Feedback: Feedback on the updated reader Patch to Direct CD noted in Wednesday's news:

"Mike,
Thought you might like to know that I tried the DirectCD patch you recently listed on your site, and I wanted to give your readers some feedback. I own Toast 4.1 and DirectCD 1.05 and I use the Yamaha 8424S, which is NOT one of the drives that DirectCD will normally recognize. The DirectCD patch mentioned on your website recently is supposed to allow DirectCD to work with newer CDRW drives like mine.

Well, I downloaded the DirectCD patch and applied it to my DirectCD control panel. After applying the patch, the DirectCD software would recognize my Yamaha drive, and it appeared to work perfectly.

I was thrilled until a couple of days later when I tried to mount a CD-RW that had been previously created using the patched DirectCD. This time when I tried to mount it, my G4 froze immediately (requiring a reset button press). I even tried reading the CDRW from within Toast 4.1 and it still caused my Mac to freeze. I have almost 300 MB of important data on that CDRW, and since the DirectCD session had not been "closed" yet, all that data is inaccessible by using the DirectCD software. So I'm stuck.

I don't know yet if my problem is with the patched DirectCD software or whether something else in my system is to blame. To rule out the latter, I will try to mount my damaged disk on a PC running the Windows version of DirectCD to see if works. For the time being, I have stopped using DirectCD until Adaptec comes out with their own version of DirectCD for the Yamaha 8424S.

I thought your readers should be aware of the potential risks of using the DirectCD patch for writing important data.
Steve "

I'm assuming Steve also contacted the patch's author on this issue. I'm also wondering if the Yamaha had the latest firmware update which fixed some of the other problems reported with that drive in the past. (See the Yamaha 8424s Owner Feedback page.) Also remember CDRWs have to be 'closed' before they can be read in a regular CDRom or DVD ROM drive on machines not running DirectCD or with drives not supported by DirectCD.

Sonnet PB1400 G3 Upgrade Comments/Battery Life/Game Tips: Today's updates to the Rate Your CPU Upgrade database included one from a PB 1400 owner that noted battery life with the Sonnet G3/333 upgrade. I was curious about this battery life was one negative of past PB 1400 upgrades from other companies.

" PowerBook 1400 (no speed mentioned)
Sonnet G3/333MHz upgrade w/1MB cache
Rated: 8 (out of 10)

This upgrade brings my PB 1400 into the modern age. I have even been able to play some 3-d games (unreal, carmageddon); albeit with lower resolution. Others programs run very fast.

I even tested the battery life while watching a Video CD movie. The computer ran 2 hrs, 10 minutes before warning me about a low battery.

I was having a similar problems with Starcraft and Warcraft 2 crashing. [Other database reports on this combo reported them-Mike] I resolved this by turning off all "sprockets" extensions except Draw Sprockets. This seems to have worked.

Like other reports Mac OS 8.6 lowered the computers temperature.

Overall this is a great upgrade but it is a little pricey.
matt Tartar "

Just as I was finishing the news Garrick Wilson posted an entry noting his PB1400/Sonnet G3 upgrade was not going well. You can search the database to see his report (Select PB1400 as the mac model and Sonnet as the upgrade brand to see all reports on that combo.)

More Feedback on CD drives and Audio 'popping': I received some reader feedback in reply to the reader report in yesterday's news mentioning a consistent click/pop in audio files with a TrueX 72x drive.

"Mike,
I've got the Kenwood 72x in my beige G3.
CDROM Driver: Apple, OS 9.0.4
SoundJamMP version: not sure (got it at WWDC, door prize)

I hadn't noticed it before, but I went back and checked and a click is there, though I didn't get the same times cited in the report.

Something I DID notice before: some software will not install properly off the 72x (e.g. Civilization: Call to Power.) The incompatibility at least looks like a read error. In this case, one workaround is to make an image of the CD with Disc Copy.
-- John"

A PowerBook Firewire owner also noted he has seen this:

"I noticed something similar to this on my Pismo! At 13 seconds, I'd constantly get a pop...... totally bizarre. Using AudioCat 2
Cheers,
James Allworth"

Firmware Update/USB Bootable Drive Comments:

"Hello, mike
...The Read Me file in the just released iMac Firmware Update 2.4 claims that slot-loading iMacs running Mac OS 9.0.4 can be booted from external USB devices AFTER the firmware has been updated. So far I've only tried this with one machine, but it does NOT work. Selecting the USB drive in the control panel "Startup Disk" prompts an error message about the device being unbootable. Very disappointing, since working with dysfunctional iMacs can be difficult, especially if the CD drive is part of the problem.

For further clarification, the external drive I used was installed in a case called the "USB Commuter 2.5" HDD." See the following URL for details.

http://www.quadmation.com/USBcommuter
(The drive itself is a 1 GB (Apple ROM) ATA drive pulled from a laptop.

Any thoughts or other information on bootable USB devices? Something like the old Pocket SCSI Drive would make a tech's life a lot easier. By the way, I'm a Computer Technician who's worked for an all-Mac school district for 3 years. "

I suggest he contact Quadmation for a driver update perhaps. I don't have USB hard drive to test but welcome feedback from any iMac (slot loading) owners that has updated the firmware and tested USB hard drives. USB hard drive comments from other UMA mac owners (iBook, PB Firewire, G4/AGP) that updated their firmware are welcome also.

OWC sent their weekly specials list for 6/2/2000 thru 6/8/2000.

Jason noted the Acard ATA/66 PCI IDE card is available for $99 + shipping at Madcomputing.

The searchable Rate Your CPU Upgrade,   Drive Compatibility and Mac Game/Video card framerates databases were updated this morning with new entries.

BTO Petition Status: As of Noon EDT today, there are 8,165 entries in the 3Dfx BTO Petition. I'd like to have at least 10,000 before I send it to Apple, so spread the word to anyone that wants more choices at BTO (ATI, 3Dfx and others in the future). Remember these cards will have full OpenGL (32Bit), large texture support, RAVE hardware acceleration, hardware based full screen anti-aliasing, T-buffer, up to 64MB of RAM and dual processors, Quicktime acceleration and the fastest 2D performance on the Mac to date. This is not just a petition for a gaming card. More BTO graphics card options will attract more sales/more developer support, which benefits all Mac owners.

Software Updates/TILs/Other Net News: (Thanks to Barney Buoy)

Software Updates:
• Apple Multiple Users 1.3 (use OS 9's Software Updates Cntl Panel)
  [May be for UMA Macs only]
• Ripcord 1.0b10c2
• Macintosh Explorer 1.0
• Folder Compare 2.0
• Warbirds 2.7.6 (Game)
• iOrganize 2.5

Apple TILs:
• Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 2.4: Read me
• iBook Firmware Update 2.4: Read Me
• iMac Firmware Update 2.4: Read Me
  [Lots more TIL updates were in Yesterday's news]

Hardware News:
• Hon Hai Precision to Build 'iMac' Computers for Apple, EDN Says (Cnet investor)
• Cozo Stand now available (Maccentral)

Gossip:
• AirPort 1.2 & 18" Cinema Display (MacOS Rumors)

Gaming News:
• MGL giveaway: Win MacSoft, 3dfx, and MGL t-shirts

Mac Related News Links:
• Mac plans on course, Corel says (macweek/ZDnet)
• Dual platform: 'the other colors of paint' (maccentral)

Other Net News
• Amiga is Back and will change computing forever, again (the register)
  

The recent features page also lists articles posted (most recent first) as does the sidebar links here. The site topics pages (systems, cpu upgrades, etc. - see top and sidebar links on this page) also are places to check as well as the FAQ.

Friday's News Summary

• Long list of Apple TILs, Software Updates, Other Net News
• PowerLogix Cuts Prices
• Action Quake 1
• Forums Back Online
• IDE ZIP 250 w/Turbomax IDE Card Test Report
• TurboMax ATA/66 in 6500 (Performance/Install Tips):
• Firewire Case Kits & Apple Firmware Updates
• Reader Request to Kenwood 72x CDROM Drive Owners
• Discribe Upgrade Options for New Sony CDRW Owners
• BTO Petition Status
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated.

Thursday's News Summary

• AMD ThunderBird Due Monday
• Opinion: ThunderBird running OS X
• More Toast 4.1/ISO 9660 Feedback (Successful Burns)
• G4 Firmware Update Improves RAM Compatibility
• OS X DP4 IDE Drive Tip
• Forums Server Status
• Toast 4.1/ISO 9660 CD Format Problems?
• Lower Prices on VST Firewire Drives
• $79.95 External Jaz 1GB SCSI Drives (refurb):
• More on Newer Tech G4/6 PCI Slot Macs
• Sony 10X/4x/32X SCSI Internal CDRW/Beige G3 Report
• BTO Petition Status
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated.
• Software Updates Listing
• Other Net News (TILs/hardware/general news)

Wednesday's News Summary

• Barney's net news includes articles on ATI upset over a german review of a prototype Radeon card, OS X server TILs, OS X developer PDF files, software updates and more hardware news articles
• Features of Intech HD SpeedTools 3.0 Update
• OT: 3Dfx Resumes (PC) Voodoo5 Shipments
• Portable Firewire Kit Builders - Important Note
• PB Firmware Update = Lower FW Write Performance?
• PowerBook Firewire Preserve Memory Contents
• PowerCenter Pro/Firewire DV Report (Important Tips/Notes)
• More on OS X DP4 & Beige G3 IDE
• Yamaha IDE 8X CDR Feedback
• DirectCD Reader's Patch Updated:
• AppleWorks 6.04 Update Feedback
• Apple Firmware Update Feedback
• Newer Tech G3/500 & 9500 Report
• Brighter LCD Screen Technology
• BTO Petition Status
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated.
• Software Updates Listing
• Other Net News (TILs/hardware/general news)

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? Search the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The current database has more than 3,700+ reports and growing.