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Updated: 11:00 AM EST

 
Happy Fathers Day!

I'm off to take my father out to dinner. When I called him this morning he hardly recognized my voice. Time moves so fast now, spend the time with your family while you still can - they won't be around forever. That's advice I should follow myself but haven't in the last year. News is very light today in observance of Fathers Day.

New Forums: The new forums were back up again last night. However I just tried to post a reply to a message to the Help forum and got a "WebSiphon Runtime Error, Error: there is not enough memory available. File: topics.incl. Line: 66". Luckily it did seem to post the message. I'd suggest not using them until Monday afternoon to see if Resurge can address this. I have a bad feeling that they are just running too many forums for too many people perhaps. It seems everyone's jumped on the bandwagon. It's been a rocky start but hopefully things will improve.

Drive Setup/DiskFirst Aid: More comments

" I have used both DS 1.5 and DFA 8.2 on my IBM drives and they are certainly not having any problems. The drives are not OEMs. I have a 2GB IBM DORS-32160 S84A and a 4GB IBM DCAS-34330 S61A. Both are Ultra SCSI-2 I believe. I using them with my 1GB Apple drive (Quantum) but my Mac kept crashing and having corruption problems. I removed it and all my troubles (computer wise anyway) went away.
System: 8500/200 (Newer Tech upgrade at 50 MHz bus), internal SCSI 2 connections, external Zip (Epson) and a UMAX S-6. I use Mac OS 8.1.
PS: Never have had the disappearing icon problem.
mayday "

" Hello! Just to let you know, I did a quick disk test (32k sequential/random read/write) after installing the Apple Setup 1.5 driver, and MacBench showed that sequential write scores are three fold! I'm using a G3/233 with the standard 4GB western digital IDE hard drive. All other tests essentially scored the same. If the tests don't show up in MacBench, don't forget to click the arrow on the left that shows the sub-tests.
Thanks for the site and regards to Kay
Jared Mellin "

" HI MIKE! First I would like to tell you the obvious, you and your page rock. Well I tried DFA 8.2, and I got the same 'Custom Icons missing' error which was supposedly repaired without booting form another drive. I restarted expecting my icons to be gone, but they are all just fine. I have a PowerBase cloner with the stock 1.3 gig HD, running the latest driver installed by Drive Setup 1.5. I hope your wife feels better soon.
JILS (self named) the MacGuru
http://www.surf.to/MacGuru "

" Mike,
Now that the hfs, hfs+ issue was cleared up....I'm still curious if anyone knows what.... "keys out of order 3,3" means? I had never encountered this with TechTool Pro or Norton before.
dave"

Peter Koplan said the new Drive Setup 1.5 drivers make a big difference in performance on a Powerbook 3400.

Tips and feedback on DS 1.5/DFA 8.2 are welcome.

CompUSA Report: This is the first report I've had of a CPU Upgrade card appearing in a CompUSA.

" Went to CompUSA this afternoon to check out the "Store w/in a Store" (Westbury, NY), and found a XLR8 MACh G3 box on display for $699. I went up to the hardware desk to find out what speed they had available, they only had one 233/512k, and was already sold. They said that they'll be getting more in about 2 weeks. Anyhow, the Apple section looks like that it got smaller.
David Doctora
PS great site. "

Auction PowerCenter Pro/Hawaii CompUSA Report:

" Hey Mike,
Just received my PowerCenter Pro 180 MT yesterday after a successful bid at Auction Warehouse. It's new, which probably means MacWarehouse has been sitting on a stock of them for a while now - incidentally MacWarehouse lists the 180 MT 16MB/2MB VRAM model for $2099.00 (ridiculous!!!) which may explain some things.

I thought I was buying the 180/16MB/2MB VRAM - got it at $801. When it came, I immediately opened it up and found that there was 4MB VRAM soldered to the video board (a pleasant surprise). Other than that everything was normal. Its running great... also next week I'm getting a 9-bay 68-pin SCSI enclosure for the 6 2.2GB ultra wide SCA Quantum Vikings I have - I'm probably going to be doing some raid work so I'll let you know about that too! (incidentally I only have an Adaptec 2940, but I'm looking toward getting an ATTO EPCI-DualChannel ultra wide controller in the future.... unless Adaptec cleans up the G3 upgrade problems in which case I may get a 3940 instead).

Another event that happened recently was the grand opening of Hawaii's first CompUSA. I must admit they have alot more stock than Computer City. I saw a great number of former Computer City employees working at the new CompUSA as well! I even saw someone who used to be in the "Mac Section" of Computer City now working the the Apple Store... Which is a GOOD thing since this was one of the only Computer City employees I met who actually was knowledgeable about Macs.

Relative to most large retail establishments in Hawaii that are not part of a larger shopping mall, CompUSA has the largest parking lot I've seen! But even this could not accommodate the rush of shoppers who hit the aisles at yesterday's grand opening. I ended up parking a block and a half away from the store in a metered parking stall just to go check it out. There were lots of Macs set up in the Apple Store, at least one was running VirtualPC and another was running Myth off a Power3D card. I noticed at least 3 or 4 sales reps assisting customers in the Apple Store - very refreshing. Anyway, I wish I had taken more time to look around, but I was already late for work!! So maybe I'll go again after the rush is over and let you know how the store looks on a "normal" day. (I had gone 4 days before the grand opening, but there was hardly a soul around!)

Well I'm off- I hope Kay gets all better soon!!!
-Kent Kanja "

$555 20 inch Monitor? CDW's latest email Buyers Edge (BE) list had the following item:

" ** WE'RE NOT KIDDING, BEHOLD, A 20" MONITOR ONLY $555!
Our Samsung SyncMaster 20GLsi is truly a fantastic buy. This is a great choice for graphic design, use with CAD applications, gamers or even if you just want to spoil yourself with a new toy. BE PRICE $555.20. SAVE $43.80 (CDW 73517)"

Yamaha CDR/Apple G3: More Feedback on the problem a reader reported using a internal Yamaha CDR in his G3:

" Hi Mike:
The problem with the Yamaha internal CD-R burner and the Apple G3 is unrelated to temperature fluctuation [Didn't think so], but rather can be attributed to vibration eminating from the cooling fans and other moving parts within the casing.

I own a Yamaha 4260 CD-R burner external and made quite a few coasters before I diagnosed the problem. As you know I have a G3 minitower and I put the Yamaha right on top of the minitower to conserve space. It seems though that in this location, alot of vibration is transmitted to the burner and therefore, you get buffer under runs and ultimately botched disks. The solution to the problem is put the burner on a stable platform such as a table or floor, but definitely not on top of a computer. All CD-R burners are notoriously susceptible to vibration.

In addition, I also experimented with putting the burner inside the G3 which worked fine. No problems here, but my Minitower is on a rug which does absorb at least some of the vibration.
-Ben Chi "

"Mike
I don't have a G3, but I do have a Yamaha 400 internal on my 9600. I never really had any trouble with it except some 'noisy' burnt CDs when I got it. Updating the firmware resolved that issue.

The thing that troubles me about the Yamaha, supposedly on of the best on the market is that the firmware has been revised five times over the original shipping firmware. The firmware updates are available @

http://www.yamahayst.com/techsup/download.htm.

I don't know/doubt that this will help with a crazy termination issue, but stranger things have happened... Thanks for having such an exceptional site...
Paul Hildahl "

Thanks for the info guys!

Reviews Wanted: It's only a T-Shirt but it's priceless (not for sale). I'm giving away a Site Logo T-Shirt to anyone that writes a detailed review or tutorial that is posted. I'm especially looking for content for the new 3D Column (reviews or tutorials on Lightwave, Inspire, etc.) or reviews on products I have not covered yet. Please contact me for details prior to submission.

This is a great way to promote your talents or company and get the attention of tens of thousands of readers all over the world.

TurboTV Contest: Still time to enter the IXMicro contest for my readers:

"IXMicro wants to know about all the uses people have for TurboTV. Simply email me, Gordon Bell (gordon.bell@ixmicro.com with your top ten things you'd do with a product like TurboTV (find out more about TurboTV at www.ixmicro.com).

We'll collect responses until Wednesday June 24th, and announce the winner in next Thursday's news. The winner gets a free TurboTV. This offer is provided to readers of xlr8yourmac.com -the source for Mac performance news and reviews"

Net News:

• Expert Guide to Photoshop 5
• Big Screen PowerBooks Ship
• Netscape Communicator 4.5
• Gray-market Crackdown: Readers Respond
• First Digital Computer turns 50
• SPA warns of NT Threat
• MS Shows off Office 2000
• Palmpilot, Netscape do Business
• Flat Panel Displays steal show at PC Expo
• ID changes focus of Games to multi-player
• 3Dfx Banshee - behind the times?
• Number Nine Ticket to Ride IV/16MB - $169?? (Wish they did a Mac version)

Get iMaced Program! Check out http://www.theimac.com/Get-iMaced for details on how to help promote iMac awareness and sales.

I'll be writing a regular column for theiMac.com covering its hardware design, USB, addons/upgrades and the comments/reactions of Windows computer users to the iMac. I'm confident the iMac can win the hearts and minds of even hard core PC addicts. It's the VW Beetle (with a Ferrari engine) of computers. In fact, I predict there will be a iMac Beetle model later this year.

CPU Card Survey: If you're running a MacTell or XLR8 G3 CPU card upgrade (Nubus or CPU slot) I'd like to know the details. (I've gotten lots of info on other brands, but little MacTell info). I've created a feedback form that will take you only a few seconds to complete and I'd be very grateful for the information.

Feedback is coming in daily for addition to the CPU Survey Results pages.

The Newer Tech page even has a PowerBook section for owners of the 1400 and 2400 G3 upgrades, so if you've just bought one of these upgrades I'd like you to take the survey.

3D Column Logo Contest: I'm still asking for all 3D artists out there to submit their creations for our new 3D Column Logo/Banner. The Logo should include the site URL (www.xlr8yourmac.com) but otherwise the design is up to you. Please keep file size down to 25K or so if you can, and use your name as the file name to help me keep track of who submitted the image (I get so many mails a day I need all the help I can). Thanks!

The winner (and any other interesting entries) are invited to write an article (complete w/screen captures ) showing how it was done. I'd like to have all entries by June 30. Resolution should be 200H x 500W (Maximum size - smaller is fine) file size 25k or less. GIF (animated OK, but try to keep file sizes small) or JPEG format for the final image.

If you'd like to submit a 3D Logo design (full credit given of course), please contact me.

Please check your bookmarks - make sure you are using www.xlr8yourmac.com.

We need your G3 info! Please send me any Apple G3 system compatibility info/issues/solutions you have or are aware of at: feedback@xlr8yourmac.com.

Search Tip! For searches on product names with mixed capitalization, use keywords like PowerBoost Pro (not Powerboost Pro or powerboost pro) and MaxPowr (vs maxpowr or Maxpowr). It seems that capitalization within the word on the site pages is throwing off the engine. Keep that in mind when searching for some of the odd product names.

Need Help? Before you send email for tech support, please check the Troubleshooting page or try searching the site (use quotes for exact matches! i.e. "mach 5" vs mach 5 which will match machine, 5, etc.) and to check the FAQ, Performance Basics, Links, and Forums for solutions to your problems or answers to tech support questions. They have a lot of good info and are a great source of help.

If you're curious as to how a G3 CPU card would perform in your Mac, look at the results hundreds of readers have reported in the G3 CPU Card Survey Results page.

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