A reader reported (and it was noted on the Fire home page) that Epicware's OS X instant messenger was being blocked by AOL.

" Today when I started up my computer, I noticed that Fire kept crashing directly after it started up. I rooted around in the preferences and such, and determined that it had something to do with the AOL service of Fire. I decided to hit the Fire web site, to download another copy, when there I saw the following message:

It appears that AOL has successfully blocked Fire.app. There will be no login to AIM until I update my version or AOL removes their block. There is no ETA. (3/22/01 10 AM)

Ack! What the hell? Are they going the way of Microsoft now? Is this even legal?
Geoff "

Geoff noted this problem just appeared today (Fire was working fine yesterday).

[Warning: There may be an updated installer released that will not require this workaround. If you mistype the script there could be problems and of course Peter warns that this may not work for you although it did for him. Safest is to wait for a revised updater to be released.]

" Here's what I did to update my GeForce MX using Apple's GeForceMX .smi update file.

1. Use TomeViewer to extract the ROM update, the flasher, and all the extensions that begin with 'nVidia' into one separate folder. (Make sure you're using v.1.3d3, earlier versions may fail to extract all files.)

2. Replace the existing nVidia extensions (the v.1.0.9 versions) with the newer ones, or back the old ones up just in case.

3. Run the GeForce2MX flasher application. You'll get a blank menu bar at the top of the screen, but that's okay.

4. Click on the desktop to switch back to the Finder.

5. Run Script Editor (the one found in the Apple Extras/Applescript folder) and paste the following instructions into the editor:

tell application "GeForce2MX AE Flasher-1027"
CompareROMVersion
if (CompareROMVersion) = true then
FlashROM
end if
quit
end tell

6. Click on the Run button to execute. Your screen will go black for 10-15 seconds. Wait for your screen to come back.

7. Reboot. You're done!

After you restart, run Apple System Profiler to verify that the flash worked- if it did, the firmware version should show up as 1027F1 where before it said 1017F1.

Warning: this should only be done if you feel that it's absolutely necessary to upgrade your GeForce. My own experience indicates that the only thing this new firmware buys me is parity with any newer versions of Mac OS 9 (yeah, right) and the emotional security that comes from knowing all your computer hardware is up-to-date. I have a sneaking suspicion that Mac OS X may flake on this card just from looking at Apple's past track record of keeping screen drivers updated across revisions of OSes.

I've already hit a couple of snags with this new firmware. First, Throughput v.1.5 scores dropped dramatically- CPU Transfer rate dropped down to 60 MB / sec, FPU and AltiVec went from 300 / 600 MB/sec down to 220 MB/sec (both,) and CopyBits seemed to be the only one that actually improved by going from about 182 MB/sec to 190 MB / sec.

The Oni demo, at all resolutions tested up to 1024 * 768 didn't seem any faster in 16 or 32 bit.

Fullscreen Quicktime seems to be a bit slower for me, although this could be just because the LCD screen I'm using can't keep up with the card..
Peter Chin"

The tests I did in Lightwave 3D 6.5, Quake3, etc. were with the 1.1.1 drivers on a card with 1027 firmware. I don't think this fixes the issues with many Rave games either, based on previous owner comments.

"Hi Mike,
We have a new product that I think the readers would like to hear about. I designed it because of the common problem we are all having with the keyboards coming into contact with the PowerBook screens.
http://eshop.macsales.com/Item_XLR8YourMac.cfm?ID=3437&Item=LSP
Check it out; I think you will like what you see.
It's also on the XLR8YourMac specials page, since it is a new product.
Thanks!
Jamie"

I've been using a Kensington lint-free cloth on my PB G4 keyboard but oils still bled through and left impressions on the screen (no physical marks, just outlines from the keys).

" Hi Mike-
We have 3 Sonnet Accelerator closeout items for the readers-

1 for the Nubus crowd- Sonnet G3/300 w/1mb Backside Cache - $225.95
These cards are now discontinued by Sonnet, and we have the last of them.

And, 2 specials for the "upgrade challenged" PCI based PowerMacs-

Sonnet G3/240 w/512k Backside Cache - $164.97
Sonnet G3/300 w/1mb Backside Cache - $219.95

The last time we had these cards, they sold out VERY quickly, they're an excellent upgrade for the 6400/20th Anniversary machines!

All 3 of the specials are on the XLR8YourMac specials page- Thanks Mike!
Jamie"

• Sonnet G3/500 in PowerTower Pro 225 (rated 1)
  (also noted Sonnet G4/450 also didn't work)
• Beige G3/266 OC report

You can find these full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

• Quake3 retail results (1024x768) from 667MHz G4/AGP with GeForce2MX card
• UT Wicked400 results (640x480) from PowerBase w/G3/361MHz upgrade and Voodoo3 3000 PCI Card
• Quake3 retail (v117) results (800x600, 1024x768) from G4/AGP 733MHz w/Geforce2MX card
• Throughput results from Beige G3/333 with Voodoo3 card

Total entries in the database to date: 2,649. If you haven't already, enter your results with any of the game titles or benchmarks listed on the entry page (details on how to test are there). If you're curious how a CPU upgrade or new Video card would help game performance, the search page options can help you find similar system/configurations to get an idea before you buy.

Software Updates:

• Keyspan MacOS X Driver Download
• FireApp 0.22 (OS X) [fixes AOL block but one reader noted it doesn't work with OS X beta, only the final?]
• Early ADB ZephIR Upgrade
• Microsoft UAM 5.0.7 (User Authentication Module)
• SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PC Card (PN473) and SkyLINE 11Mb Wireless PCI Card (PN476) Driver
• Netopia netOctopus 3.6.3
• Lexmark Driver Update

Apple TIL Updates:

• Power Macintosh: Differences Between DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, and DVD+RW
• Mac OS 9: Installing or Removing Individual Components
• Mac OS: Launcher Extends Below Bottom of Screen
• Troubleshooting Handbook: Reinstalling Your Computer's Software
• iMac: System Software Reinstall Options
• AppleVision, ColorSync Displays: Basic Troubleshooting
• About Mac OS ROM Update 1.0 Document and Software
• Macintosh Manager: Client Login Troubleshooting
• Spanning Tree Protocol: AppleTalk Issues
• Disc Burner: How to Use Saved Disk Images
• iDVD: How to Enter the QuickTime 4 Pro Registration
• Power Macintosh G3 and G4: About the DVD-RAM Drive

Mac News: (Note: Rehashing of press releases, etc. are not listed)

• MACh Velocity G4 MPe 66 ships (xlr8)
• More Than a Decade of Work Pays Off in New Mac Operating System (NY Times)
• Mac OS X Is Sound, Stable, But Wait Until It Gets Better (WSJ)
• New Mac Operating System (NYtimes)
• Updated Apple OS X pages (apple)
• New iMAC's without CD-RW For Education Market (apple)
• $100 Rebate Promotion on selected Que! M2 FireWire hard drives with the purchase of Mac OS-X (Que)
• Canvas 8 to support peer-to-peer sharing (macworld uk)
• FileMaker Demonstrates FileMaker Pro 5 on Mac OS X (yahoo)
• Jobs: Apple's OS X Could Boost Presence in Enterprise Market (CRN)
• Apple Computer rolls out OS X (seattle times)
• Music industry tracking individual MP3 file sharers (the register)
• Mac OS X Public Beta 2 (zdnet)
• Apple confirms MacOS X updates coming soon (the register)
• Apple announces three OS X apps (macworld uk)
• Roxio's Jam 3 to offer superior CD audio mastering (maccentral)
• OS X likely to boost dual-processor systems (cnet)
• As Press Corps Watches, Apple Shows Off Finalized OS (macworld)
• Apple Developing "Moonlight" Release to Fix Mac OS 9.1 Bugs (thinksecret)
• Toast 5 Titanium (Terminal34)
• APPLE'S NEXT STEP (SFgate)
• OS X: Is the Truth Out There? (osopinion)

Misc./Hardware Related:
• First Camcorder to Record DVDs (on magazine)
• Western Digital intros 80GB hard drive
• NETGEAR Launches Affordable Cable/DSL Web Safe Router for the Home Network (businesswire)
• QPS unveils USB 2.0 devices at CeBIT (maccentral)
• 1394 Trade Association Endorsment of "5C" Could Be The Final Straw In Implementation (firewire world)
• Intel moves to same wireless standard as Apple (maccentral)

Other Net News:
• AMD's 1.3-GHz Athlon Bests Fastest Pentiums (pcworld)
• Be signs Sony (the register)
• WinXP Beta 2 in not delayed again drama (the register)
• Labels to tell courts Napster is slacking (cnet)
• Only in Your Dreams (abcnews)
• As wireless explodes, Bluetooth plods along (zdnet)
• Strange Rambus lights upset children (the register)
• Nokia, Rivals Face Off With Handheld Computer Makers (Update1) (bloomberg)
• AMD to unveil new chips, delay others (cnet)
• Mobile Devices Becoming Stranger Than Science Fiction (ny times)
• EDS Melds Voice, Video, Data On Wireless LAN (techweb)

• Tests of XLR8's Dual G4/500 CPU Upgrade for Beige G3s
  [more CPU Upgrade related articles]
• PPC Checker 2.3 adds 7450 G4 and G3 755 CPU support
  [more CPU related articles]
• Warbirds III Beta reader feedback
  [more Game related articles]
• VST Portable Firewire Drive Swap
  [more Firewire related articles]
• Review of ACARD Ultra SCSI to IDE Drive External Case
  [more Storage related articles]
• Apple's Performance Tests & Comments on G4/733
  [more Systems articles]
• Sonnet Tempo 3.12 Firmware Update User Reports (incl. OS X beta)
  [more IDE articles]
• Pshop 5.5 Tests - PowerBook G4 vs Desktop G4s vs 1GHz PC
  [more Systems articles]
• G4/667 Owner's first impressions
  [more Systems articles]
• Plextor IDE CD/CDRW Firmware Updater
  [more IDE drive articles]
• First G4/733Mhz Performance Tests
  [more Systems articles]
• Geforce2MX vs Radeon in G4/500 2xAGP System
  (Lightwave3D 6.5 tests and Quake3)
  [more Video/Graphics Card articles]
• Mac GeForce3 Features & Questions Answered
  [more Video/Graphics Card articles]
• Sony F900 WideScreen Mode Support
  [more Video/Graphics Card articles]
• My PowerBook G4/400 First Impressions
  [more PowerBook articles]
• PowerBook G4 Owner Comments
  [more PowerBook articles]
• Review of "Hammerfall Lite" audio card
  [more Audio articles]
• Review of Acard's AEC6712 Ultra-SCSI PCI Controller
  [more Storage related reviews]
• Audio Apps and CPU Upgrades
  [more Audio or CPU Upgrade related articles]
• Review + Install Guide for PB BlueChip G3/500 CPU Upgrade
  [more CPU upgrade reviews]
• Newer Tech ZIF Carrier Card
  [more CPU upgrade reviews]
• How to create a universal adapter from a Plaintalk mic
  [more Audio articles]
• Review of G4/533 w/GeForce2MX
  [more Systems articles]
• Interview w/Nvidia on GeForce2MX, GeForce2GO
  [more Graphics card articles]
• 7500 to ATX Case Conversion
  [more ATX conversion articles]
• PC ATX Power Supply Conversion for 8600/9600
  [more ATX conversion articles]
• OS 9.1 Update Feedback/Issues/Tips
  [more software/OS articles]
• Acard SCSI to IDE Adapter Review
  [more Storage articles]
• Audio Notes From Macworld Expo
  [more Audio articles]
• Macworld SF 2001 Coverage
  (articles on the new PB G4, New G4 Towers, iTunes, iDVD and Q&A/Photos of the first Mac Nvidia Graphics card!)
• Mac GeForce2MX Pix and FAQ
  [more Graphics card articles]
• File server performance tests: Quantum Snap 1000 vs Appleshare
  [more Misc articles]
• First Report on Sonnet 7200 G3 CPU Upgrade
  [more CPU upgrade articles]