There's also thread in the G4/Upgrades forum titled 'IE 5 Gripes' with user comments on the new version.

PB Expansion Bay HD Kits (w/o Drive): Several readers replied to an earlier post with a note the same site mentioned for the external HDs (PCMCIA card controlled) also sells an Xcarét expansion bay version, including a $149 kit without drive so you can add your own. (For instance after replacing an internal PB drive with a larger one, reusing the original drive via the expansion bay kit.)

Feedback on 'Faster' Util: Bob Friede gave the 'Faster' util noted earlier today a try:

"Tried it, saw no appreciable difference in speed but various annoying glitches in PB5300/8.1, so I removed it pronto!
Cheers,
Bob Friede "

If welcome other comments from users of 'Faster'.

Toast 4.02 Update Install Tips: Many readers reported the update that appeared last last night would not run properly. A reader post in the forums notes an important install tip:

"Re: Toast Deluxe 4.0.2 Update Available, but...
Joe -- Friday, 24 March 2000, at 11:19 p.m.

I finally got it to work after two hours of trying different things. I did a clean install of Toast Deluxe 4.0.0 from the original CD, then, before launching it and entering the serial # info, I applied the updater (make sure Virex is off or it will crash the installer), THEN entered the Serial # info after the updater was finished. Then restart and it worked. Interestingly, if I did a clean install of Toast Deluxe 4.0.0, entered the Serial # while it was still 4.0.0, then applied the updater, the updated version would quit just after launch every time - very strange.

One last thing, when you enter the reg. info after applying the update, you must enter the TSID number, not the S/N number. The TSID number is almost identical to the S/N number but has one more digit. The TSID number has 12 digits and the S/N number has 11 digits. With Toast Deluxe 4.0.0, I believe you had to enter the S/N number, not the TSID number after you launch the application for the first time. If I entered the S/N number, it refused to accept it. This could be Adaptec's attempt to flush out pirated serial #'s.

One more last thing, if you prefer recording using Disc-at-Once mode, there is now a check box in the 4.0.2 preferences window that activates Disc-at-Once mode. I believe Disc-at-Once mode was on automatically in 4.0.0. The default mode in 4.0.2 has Disc-at-Once mode off so if you want to use Disc-at-Once mode you must check the box in the preferences window.

Best of luck updating, hope some of this may help fellow readers out there! "

BTW - many reported webcheckup didn't find it and they had to get the updates at www.adaptec.com/support/advisor/cdrupdates/toast4.html or click here for the direct download file link.

Recycle PowerBook HDs Externally: Steve Weisel sent a link to a page that lists a PCMCIA card controlled external drive housing kit ($129) for Powerbook hard drives. The page notes the drives are not bootable with 1999 (Lombard) PB G3s due to a ROM change and I'm not sure they would work with a pismo but welcome any feedback from readers. What I would like is a source for expansion bay housings (less drive) to allow adding your own HD (after upgrading the internal drive for instance). VST sells these but only with a drive included. [See the later update for expansion bay kits w/o drive at Powerbook1.com.]

More Peltier Tech Info: A reader replies to yesterday's article from Todd Eddie:

"To assist the chronic tinkerers out there who wants to try Peltier Junctions, perhaps you should mention this web-site with incredibly detailed application notes for Peltier Junctions (mostly written for the benefit of their own customers). But be warned, it is very technical. Perhaps after reading this technical article, it will put more people off Peltier Junction.
http://www.marlow.com/design.htm
Tan Tywee"

More MP3/Mac Info: Bob Friede comments on a recent article link/review of MP3 Mac players:

"Charles W. Moore's column "Eight MP3 Players For The Macintosh" (Applelinks) omits one big important point:

AMP Radio http://www.subband.com/ampr/index.html has a unique (for now) recording function allowing one to save accessed shoutcast/icecast network streams!

It also omits Rapster's chief rival in the mp3 downloading wars: Macster, also in beta development. (http://www.blackholemedia.com/macster/index.html) One week Rapster is better, the next week it's Macster. This week it's been the former. Rapster: http://www.macnews.com.br/overcaster/rapster.html.
Rgds,
Bob Friede"

More on Club-Mac Firewire/IDE Case Price Matching: A reader notes that Club-Mac again matched the $112.95 price originally noted here in February:

"Hi Mike,
Just a quick note to let you know that ClubMac has the IDE/Firewire drive case back in stock again as of when I placed my order 2 minutes ago.

Mine will ship on Monday, arriving via FedEx on Wednesday for $8.00 shipping. Spoke with Jennifer, and she said she has sold at least 15 cases to people who mention your site and the buy.com price. I got it for the $112.95 price as well.

She also has a list of drives that have been tested and known to work with the case. She said that the list does not ship with the drive case, though. However, she welcomed me to call her again if I had any questions.
Thanks again for your very useful web site!
Herb "

Jennifer (800-217-9153 x4797) was the sales rep. that did the original price matching for me noted here in the news and now listed on the Club-Mac Firewire/IDE Case article. The article shows internal views, performance tests and more if you missed it.

G4 Upgrade/6 PCI Slot Mac PCI SCSI Card Tip: While adding entries to the Rate Your CPU Upgrade database I came across one from Ali Kaylan noting he had to move his PCI SCSI card (Adaptec 2940UW) to an upper PCI slot to get reliable operation with a Newer Tech G4 CPU upgrade card in his 9500. I noted a similar tip in my review of the PowerForce G4/350 card in my 9600/350. If the PCI SCSI card was in the lower 3 PCI slots (2nd PCI bus) some programs would lockup (3D/OpenGL games, SoundJam MP, Virtual PC 3.0). Moving the SCSI card to slot 3 (or any upper PCI bus slot) solved the problem. Just a FYI for any G4 upgraders with 6 PCI slot macs.

Gadget's Faster Speedup Util: A reader sent a note on a speedup utility called Faster that I'd never heard of before:

"I was pointed to http://www.GadgetSW.com/software.html for some reason or another, and I came across a piece of software called "Faster", which claims to "speed up" your mac. It's made by the same people who make "Loaded!", which is a cdev/init loader. It might be worth looking at, or doing a few benchmarks with.
-Jakob Mascitto "

See their 'known bugs' link on the Faster page before using this (potential crashes launching some apps). Their reviews link goes to a Resexcellence page with mixed reports from the first revision. If anyone has tried 'Faster', let me know what you think of it.

Bottom Line sent their latest list of weekly specials that includes Mac systems and more. See the specials list for conditions and more details.

The Owner's CPU Upgrade Ratings, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game FPS databases were updated today with new reader entries.

Other Net News: (Thanks to Barney Buoy)

• QuickTime-based HDTV device to debut at NAB (Maccentral)
• QDesign Codec 2.1 gets G4 optimization (Maccentral)
• MS to release IE 5 Monday (Microsoft)
• AMD's Spitfire and other plans revealed (the Register)
• Lara Croft Caught in Games War Crossfire (Yahoo)
• Awesome Deals at a Group-Buying Site! (Applelinks)
• Visa program will target online fraud (News.com)

  TILS

• Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics): Maximum Energy Savings Depends on PCI Card

  SOFTWARE

• Orange Micro SCSI Updates

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

• Reader reports Retrospect 4.2 driver Yamaha 8X CDR patch works on his systems
• Rumors on RAM price rise soon
• Adaptec SlimSCSI 1480 Driver Update
• Reminder on URL to 8500 Cache Dimm article
• OWC site specials page $209 sale on 256MB 222 SDRAM Dimms/SODimms
• Reader's Fix for Yamaha 8X SCSI CDR & Retrospect
• Reader Article on Peliter Cooled G4/Yikes
• OS 9.04 Changes
• Interleaved RAM Solves Quake3 Audio Stuttering
• GaugePro/VM Oddities
• The Owner's CPU Upgrade Ratings, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game FPS databases were updated late last night with new reader entries.
• Other Net news/Software Updates

Thursday's News Summary

• Yamaha Comments on New 8X SCSI CDR Firmware
• PB1400/Sonnet G3 Upgrade Feedback
• Pismo/iBook ColorSync Profiles Tip
• OS 9.04 Update Out?
• AMD/Motorola Nitro Info
• Yamaha 8X SCSI Firmware Update Feedback
• LCD ColorSync Profiles Comments
• Other Net News/TIL Updates/Software Updates

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

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.