"Yamaha has released new firmware for the CRW8424SX and the CRW8424S models. The new firmware addresses the "lock up" situations that customers were experiencing with the onboard SCSI busses. Please visit our YSN (Yamaha Solutions Network) to download the latest firmware, version 1.0j. Click on this link to enter the YSN:
http://www.yamaha.com/ycaservice/group020/fgrop020.htm

Firmware for all models and platforms can be downloaded from this location as well. From here select 'CDR/CRW Recorder' select 'Firmware Upgrade Information and Download'. Next select your drive model, then operating system. You will be taken to the firmware upgrade instructions, complete with screen shots. Please take the time to let us know if this information has helped you by clicking on the 'Yes!' 'No!' or 'Not Yet' buttons at the bottom of the page. All feed back is welcome, simply select 'Feed Back' and let us know how you feel.

The YSN can address issues other than firmware. From the YSN link type in a brief description of your problem and select search. We are striving to provide the highest quality of service possible. If you have comments or suggestions please select the 'Feed Back' button at the bottom of any YSN document.
Mike Morse
Application Specialist
Yamaha Corporation of America
1-888-926-2426"

Barney Buoy sent a more links for the Other Net News/TIL updates list.

PB1400/Sonnet G3 Upgrade Feedback: While updating the Rate Your CPU Upgrade database I spotted this owner report on the new Sonnet PB1400 G3 upgrade:

"PowerBook 1400cs/117 w/Sonnet G3/333
I got this card Friday after work, installed it shortly thereafter (having installed the software first) and it was a piece of cake! I was a little nervous about popping the processor out of my PowerBook, but it went beautifully. My speed practically tripled, I get a lot more responsiveness out of my machine now in little things-windows, switching apps, etc. I highly recommend this card...the only drawback thus far is that it's a tad bit warmer than before, but not unreasonable (It's like having the CDROM drive in all the time). If you can get your hands on one, it's the way to go!
Kelly"

I've asked Kelly how the battery life is after the upgrade. Battery drain was the bane of past G3 upgrades for the PB1400 (noted in some past entries in the database). He later wrote:

"So far it seems as though it is a bit better, but my battery is pretty well shot as it is (I get maybe 20-30 minutes on a good day!). So it has improved. I'm hoping to get a new battery so I can find this out for sure.
Kelly "

Pismo/iBook ColorSync Profiles Tip: I just downloaded the ColorSync Profiles posted here yesterday on the review Pismo and think I know why some readers had problems with them showing up (and others didn't). I wanted to verify there were no problems with the stuffit file (made on my Wallstreet) and there isn't. I downloaded the sit file using IE 4.5 on the Pismo and the files were unstuffed automatically, have the correct icon, and do shown up in the (Monitors/Color) profiles list on the Pismo. (Sometimes Netscape downloads .sit files as text, use Internet Explorer if you're having problems.) I didn't have to change the file type/creator.

1. Copy the downloaded Pismo 1.8 (or iBook, whichever you have) to the System folder's "Colorsync Profiles" folder
2. Then use the "Color" Button in the Monitors Control Panel to select the profile.
   (The "ColorSync" Control Panel only lists the display profile that is selected in the Monitors Control Panel Color settings.)

In my tests on the review Pismo, Brock's "Pismo 1.8" profile is less bright than the "PowerBook G3" profile I was using. (As I noted previously, the default on the Pismo was "Color LCD", which was not as bright as the "PowerBook G3" profile.) Brock's profiles may be more accurate as far as color matching than the (brighter) PowerBook G3 profile however.

OS 9.04 Update Out?: [Update: Using the Pismo with OS 9.02, as of Noon Eastern Time today no software updates were found. Perhaps the update is only for systems without OS 9.02? Or perhaps Apple pulled the update.] Reader comments on the new update to OS 9:

"Mac OS 9.0.4 is available through software update.
It took me a while for me to log onto the server, it did work eventually.

Also, something new, in the About this Computer dialogue box, I have another line saying Power PC enabler 9.0.4. I have a Wallstreet II 300
-Tushar"

The enablers are in OS 9.02 as well (on the review Pismo).

Another reader comments on the update:

"Its out. I showed up early today, but was pulled. It came up as 9.0.4 then. Now it shows up as OS 9 Software Update in the control panel. It downloads a full installer similar to 8.6 update. Lots of new stuff. I have a beige G3 so I don't know about the DVD player version, etc., but it has new ati drivers, Open GL 1.1.3 sound manager, etc.
Chuck "

I'm doing news on a OS 8.6 Powerbook G3 Wallstreet so I can't check this at the moment.

AMD/Motorola Nitro Info: I don't usually post rumor/vaporware info, but a reader sent some info from AMD's forums that indicates the AMD/Moto partnership/new processors rumors might be true:

"Mike! I'm so damn excited! Check out these two posts from the Raging Bull AMD board. Man this is so fantastic!!!! -Bill :)

From AMD ZONE

I just thought I'd pass along some news from an interesting e-mail I just got about Motorola's new G4e processor:

600-700 mhz now, 1Ghz 5 months after intro, 256K, 256 bit wide, full speed L2, Optimized for multiprocessing with direct processor-to-processor communications capabilities and full-speed cache sharing across CPUs .15 micron process

AMD and Motorola working together to add these goodies to the K7 core on Thunderbird has the makings of a monster chip.

By: motman1175
Reply To: 11317 by winemkr
Thursday, 23 Mar 2000 at 3:08 AM EST
winemkr, G4e Codename Nitro

Would have loved to break this news to you and everyone else back in Jan. when we started the production ramp, but it's been under pretty tight wraps. Since it was leaked, I feel I can comment and add one or two more "goodies" for ya!

Incredibly accurate, surprised they didn't mention copper though (maybe it is assumed with these two companies working together).

Back in January on one of my first ever posts mentioned an AMD/MOT golf polo shirt being distributed at the Campuses, guess what it has on it? NITRO, an AMD/MOT collaboration.

While AMD has never formally announced a Dresdin partner, that doesn't mean two companies aren't CURRENTLY using the same FAB space under an informal partnership.

The last little tidbit I'll add is this, if AMD is helping MOT with its future (G4e), could MOT be helping AMD with its future (well, I'll let you keep guessing)? ;)

(I have seen the "future" for both these companies, and I'm glad they make up over 80% of my current portfolio.)
motman "

Yamaha 8X SCSI Firmware Update Feedback: An owner of the drive notes that the firmware update mentioned in yesterday's news solved his problems with the drive:

"Mike,
Thanks for the info on the Yamaha 8424s firmware update. I flashed the drive earlier this evening and have had no further difficulty with the previously described problem with SCSI locks when using the drive as a reader with the embedded SCSI interfaces of older macs. I use a G3 DT 266 and use Intech's CD Speedtools 4.5 for the CD driver. I presume that Toast's CD reader should also work now, although I haven't tried that yet.
James "

I updated the Yamaha 8424 Feedback page with yesterday's post. If you missed the post, get the update at Yamaha's Firmware updates page

LCD ColorSync Profiles Comments: Several readers are using Brock's Pismo/iBook profiles posted in yesterday's news fine and saying they helped dramatically; others can't get them to show up in the profiles list. [See my later posted tips above - you have to select the Profile in the Monitors Control Panel 'Color' button section before it will show up in the ColorSync control panel.] Read the full comments from Brock in yesterdays' news. before using the download here.
The PB G3/500 review and Pismo comments page have links to the download for future reference.

Other Net News/TIL Updates/Software Updates:

• Seagate demos leap in storage density (Computerworld)
• New machines at WWDC? (MacuserUK)
• Apple Releases Worldwide Developers Conference 2000 Mac OS Track Session Information (Apple)
• iMAC Rack Mount Project
• Optimism Sends Apple Stock to All-Time High (LA Times)
• Apple's wireless networking fails to work out of the box (Washington Times)
• Orange Micro announces SCSI/Serial card for G3/G4 (Orangemicro)
• Giving your iMac a brain transplant (Arizona Central)
• Top 10 Gaming Resources (Inside Mac Games)
• Is Loyalty to Apple Sufficient?, The Death of CodeWarrior, The Cookie Monster, Taking a Breather..., Apple Can Make a Difference: Part 3 What's Missing (MacOpinion)

  TIL Updates:

• PowerBook (FireWire): Device Control In Final Cut Pro

  Software:

• Mitsubishi Diamond Control v4.0 (only for 9.0.3)
• Voodoo Server
• Net CD
• Umax Vista Scan 3.5.1 (is this new????)
• Nanosaur & Nanosaur Extreme
• Carbon SDK 1.1d6
• Bugdom
• Extensis Suitcase 8.2
• Eudora Internet Mail Server 3.0b9

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.

Wednesday's News Summary

• CNBC Apple Story/Stock at Alltime High
• Pismo ColorSync Profile Feedback
• Pismo/iBook ColorSync Profiles Here
• PowerBook G3/500 Review (a real one):
• IDE DVD RAM Drive From Promax
• Toast Deluxe 4.02 Update Still Not Available
• iBook vs PB Screen Comments
• Yamaha 8X CDR Firmware Update Due
• Tips/Info/Profiles for PB/iBook LCD Display Color Matching
• Owner's CPU Upgrade Ratings updated
• Other Net News/TILs/Software Updates

Tuesday's News Summary

• More on Pismo ColorSync
• QPS IDE DVD-RAM Drives (PC Only)
• XLR8 Lowers G4 Upgrade Pricing
• Toast Deluxe 4.02 Update Available
• iMac Internal CDrom Recorder:
• Another USB ZIP CDR Report
• Pismo LCD ColorSync Profile
• Slot Loading DVD IDE Drives
• Sources for IDE DVD RAM Drives?
• Linksys 10/100 Switch Report/Tip
• Owner's CPU Upgrade Ratings updated
• Other Net News/TILs/Software Updates

Monday's News Summary

• Mac GLQuakeWorld/GLQuake 0.6 Released
• Flashing PC SIIG IDE card Question
• Iomega ZIP CDR Problem Report
• Wanted: Pismo + USB Tape Drive Feedback
• Interview with Stephan M. Sprenger of Prosoniq
• PCI Timing Update Fixes 6500 Audio Issues?
• 10/100 Ethernet Switch Report
• 20th Anniv. Mac/Proformance3/G3 Upgrade Report
• More Turbomax AV Performance Comments
• More on 80Min CDRs and Matshita OEM DVD drive
• Reminder on $69.95 Pismo/Lombard Battery Sale
• Nikon CoolPix 100 Not Compatible with Pismo
• Owner's CPU Upgrade Ratings, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game FPS databases were updated
• Other Net News/TILs/Software Updates

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 3,300+ reports and growing.