" includes improvements to Firewire target disk mode, network booting, gigabit networking (on systems with gigabit hardware), and system stability. This update also adds support for additional security options which allow the Open Firmware to be password protected."
(Emphasis mine - just a FYI for those readers that like to tweak.)

Firmware Update Page Links by Model:

• G4/AGP Firmware Update 4.1.8
• Cube Firmware Update 4.1.8
• PowerBook (onboard Firewire models) Firmware Update 4.1.8
• iMac (Slot loading only) Firmware Update 4.1.7
• iBook Firmware Update 4.1.7
  In addition to the above comments, "adds support for 256 megabyte (MB) memory modules [didn't they work before?] and improved support for using a USB storage device, such as an external hard drive, as a startup disk."

Note: After you install this update, the PRAM is reset. This may reset some of your control panels to default settings. See the links for specific instructions for your mac model.

"Some of your readers may wish to know Apple's Startup Disk 9.2.1 (just released via the software control panel) solves a bug with the Startup Disk control panel when using a nubus Power Mac and a Sonnet G3 upgrade. Previously it would crash when the control panel started up, now it works --
at least on my 6100/60.
Ron Earl "

Roy later noted he didn't have problems in OS 9.0 or 9.04 - only with OS 9.1. I've not had any problems on any of my Macs with the previous Startup Control Panel version, but I don't own any Nubus models.

"On March 23 you noted a report of SoundEdit and 9.1 not getting along.

I have 9.1 and SoundEdit 16 (version 2.0.7) running on both a G4/400 and an 8500 upgraded with a G3/250.

My wife regularly uses SoundEdit on the G4 with no problems. I just tried it on the 8500 and had no crashes.

There is a catch: 9.1 manages audio input differently than previous OS versions. This seems to prevent some applications (including Apple's own Apple Video Player) from changing the source.

For SoundEdit to record, I find I have to set the input source using either the control strip or the control panel BEFORE I launch the program. I also can't seem to get the "Recording Options" dialog to come up (nothing happens when I select the menu option), but since I don't use the program regularly, I may just be doing something wrong.

I suggest that Mr. Scott try booting with a clean OS 9.1 install and set the audio source prior to running SoundEdit.
--
Seth Noble - President - Data Expedition, Inc. -
http://DataExpedition.com/ "

Several other readers noted they also had SoundEdit problems in OS 9.1. (Some later wrote to say this did not solve their problems.)

"Though this probably doesn't affect many, I found out the hard way that VPC 4.0 no longer supports CGA graphics in DOS. When you try to run a program, it tries to tile it into a VGA screen. The results are kind of wild.

I find this disappointing, because the point of VPC is to allow running legacy PC apps on the Mac, and many old strategy games will be left out. Maybe I am asking too much to be able to run a 17 year old 4 color CGA game, but I don't think so.

Luckily, VPC 3.0 is not disabled during the upgrade. You aren't allowed to run them at the same time, but I was able to make a new DOS disk image (with 3.0) and copy all my CGA/EGA DOS apps on it. When I want to run them, I have to quit 4.0, but it works fine. My previous disk images are now enhanced for 4.0, but I can leave this DOS booting one alone.
Mike Kramer"

DOS CGA programs are so old I don't think this affects most users. VPC 4 if upgraded from v3 will use the same disk image, so it doesn't take a lot more disk space to have both versions installed. I've not ran any DOS CGA games on it, but otherwise VPC 3.0x seemed fine running the same disk image. (And VPC 4 finally allowed me to use windowsupdate.com to update Win98SE with all the patches, security updates, etc.. VPC 3.0x on the PB G3 would lock up the system every time when trying to get updates at windowsupdate.com - VPC 4 didn't have this problem.)

" I am the technical director for a small multimedia company using mainly macromedia products. Since we use director heavily we also use SoundEdit as an external editor, with hard to find features like cue point placement and no fuss communication with director. macromedia has for a while said it will no longer update it. Fine, up to 9.1, but now its VERY unstable, can't use it at all. We're stuck!

updated three machines so far: 2 x (G3 400 b/w ), 9600 All act the same way. When starting to make a recording it freezes for several seconds, crashes during sound format change, crashes with many other tools.

Thanks for the ear and the great website,
Tom Scott
MRC Productions "

(See a reader's tip above)

" Dear Mike,
After 2 straight days of monkeying with an Epson 875DC printer and my PCenter 150/FW Direct USB/FW combo card, I gave up getting it to work. It worked just fine with my S900 using a Belkin 2port USB card.

Just got off the phone with FW Direct tech support. There is a compatibility issue with their USB/FW combo card and USB printers. Supposedly a patch is due out in the next week or so.
Eugene Lou"

Check FirewireDirect's site for an update in the future that may resolve this issue. I've added this comment to the Firewire/USB card Owner Comments page. For other Firewire articles, see the Firewire reviews/topic page.

(from their email press release)

"This week Apple will release OS X. This big step forward will needlessly mark the beginning of the end for HyperCard, the beloved and widely used software development application for Macintosh. More important than the loss of thousands of creations that rely on HyperCard is the disappointment to come for the thousands of people and institutions that rely directly and indirectly on HyperCard for everything from managing home gardening to tracking commercial jet maintenance.

But this course of obsolescence can be easily and quickly changed. With the help of just one person at Apple, HyperCard can be "carbonized" in 6 months or less; allowing it to run directly on OS X and thereby continue to thrive in the future. This is not a money or resource issue for Apple. It's an issue of getting HyperCard the attention it needs.

The International HyperCard Users Group (iHUG) is asking educators, business people, developers, enthusiasts and anyone who recognizes HyperCard as a useful part of the Macintosh toolbox to help save HyperCard, and in turn promote Macintosh forward compatibility, by writing to Mr. Steve Jobs, Office of the CEO, Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, M/S 301-CEO, Cupertino, CA 95014.

A sampling of compelling responses to the recent "Why I Use HyperCard" online survey can be viewed at
http://homepage.mac.com/iHUG/WhyWeUseHC.html

iHUG can be reached at www.ihug.org for additional details and to submit a HyperCard story. iHUGs latest CD containing a collection of useful tools and information became available 3/19/01 at www.ihug.org."

• Bottom Line Railgun (unknown speed) in Powercenter 120 (rated 1)
• Sonnet G3/500 in 8600/250 (rated 9)
• Sonnet G3/400 in 7300/180 (rated 9)
• XLR8 G3/300 in 7600/120 (rated 9)
• Beige G3/266 OC report
• B&W G3/350 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.)

• Quake2 (1024x768) results from Beige G3/300 with 3dfx Voodoo3 card
• Unreal Tournament (full) (512x342, 1024x768) results from Beige G3/300 with 3dfx Voodoo3 card
• Throughput results from Beige G3/333 with Voodoo3 card 3dfx Voodoo3 card
• CineBench2000 results from 400Mhz G4/AGP with Radeon AGP card

Total entries in the database to date: 2,653. 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:

• Graphic Converter 4.0.5
• Apple Startup Disk 9.2.1

Apple TIL Updates:

• Mac OS: Usage of the Term Desktop
• Mac OS: Multiple Users Creates a Desktop Folder for Each User
• Power Macintosh G3: Information on Build-To-Order Configurations
• AirPort 1.3: Service Name Field Provided for PPPoE Internet Access
• Mac OS: "Unable to establish a secure connection" or "security certificate" Messages in Web Browsers
  
  OS X Related TILs
• Mac OS X Welcome and Install Manuals
• Mac OS X 10.0: Using Your Home Directory
• Power Macintosh G3 All-In-One: Volume Adjustment Buttons Do Not Work With Mac OS X 10.0
• How to Change a User's Password
• PowerBook: Batteries Not Sleep Swappable
• How to Log In Automatically at System Startup Time
• iBook, PowerBook: Display Brightness and Volume Keys Do Not Respond
• Double-Clicking a Document Does Not Always Open the Correct Applicatio
• Why, When, and How to Run fsck for File System Maintenance
• Setup Assistant and AppleVision Display 640- by 480-Pixel Resolution
• No Status Bar for Keyboard Volume Adjustment
• Many Third-Party Ink Jet Printer Drivers Are Built In
• Network Settings Lost When Updating From Mac OS X Public Beta
• Choosing Startup Disk with Startup Manager
• "Can't index" Appears in Sherlock Window
• Mail: Plain Text Compared to Rich Text (RTF)
• (Japanese): Mac OS Standard Volume Names Disappear and Reappear
• Show Info Uses One Dynamic Window
• Cannot Have Two Open Versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Mail: Rules May Fail With Hundreds of Messages at Once
• Start up from Mac OS 9.1 to Use Apple DVD Player
• Using 256 Color Mode and/or 640 x 480 Resolution
• Use Command Key to Select Multiple Items in List and Column Views
• Copy and Paste Between Classic and Mac OS X Application
• Mail Searches One Mailbox at a Time
• Internal Modem Makes No Sound When Connecting
• The Capture Window Command Does Not Work in the Grab Utility
• Cannot Capture Video in Classic
• Some Classic Applications Require Installation of System Folder Components
• How to Set Date and Time to ISO 8601:1988 Standard
• Cannot Make Alias of Hard Disk Volume in Computers Directory
• Mail: Requires Cleartext Authentication on IMAP Server
• Computer With SCSI Chain Does Not Start up or Stops Responding
• Cannot Open Debugger in Classic
• List and Column View Settings May Not Be Retained
• Startup Sound Persists With Volume Muted
• "Build 4K78" Same As "Mac OS X 10.0"
• May Start Up From Wrong System Folder When Multiple Versions Are Installed
• Submenus Not Provided for Folder Aliases in the Dock
• Performance Slower When Sherlock Updates or Creates an Index
• Use Roman Characters Names on Mac OS Standard (HFS) Volumes
• Num Lock Prevents Dragging in Cocoa Applications
• Cannot Move a Queued Print Job to a Different Printer
• "file system dirty, run fsck"
• Cannot Connect to AOL in Classic Environment
• How to Set Up TextEdit as an HTML Editor
• Classic Does Not Allow Direct Hardware Networking Access
• Mac OS 9.0.4: Classic Requires Update to Mac OS 9.1 or Later
• (Japanese): "The carrier was not detected" Message When Using Internet Connect
• AirPort: Third-Party Wireless PC Cards Do Not Work With AirPort Client Software
• Some Third-Party Ethernet Cards May Not Work
• System Requirements
• Optimizing for Earlier ATI Graphics Accelerators
• Using Contextual and Dock Pop-Up Menus
• Startup Volume Is Named "/" Instead of "Mac OS X"
• PowerBook: Shutdown to Switch Monitors
• Access Not Provided in Classic for Certain Hardware-Oriented Applications
• How to Perform a Clean Installation of Mac OS 9.1 or Later on a Mac OS X Disk
• Conflict Catcher Requests Registration Information After Using Classic
• Using the Command-Option-Drag Key Combination
• Message That "There are no view options for the desktop" Appears
• Mail: Unexpected Changes When Editing a Mail Signature
• Epson SC 740 Printer Error -27 Message
• How to Set up Login Items
• Using Classic With Tomb Raider, Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer, Myth II
• Mail May Interrupt Log Out
• Help Viewer - "The Specified HTML File Could not Be Found
• Mac OS X 10.0: Yellow Text While Starting up in Verbose Mode
• File Sharing Only Shares Public Folders
• Using Disk Copy Images
• Sherlock: Closing Versus Quitting Applications and Control Panels
• Mail: Mailbox Locked Alert
• Setting up an AirPort Base Station Requires Restart from Mac OS 9.x

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

• Your New Desktop (apple)
• PowerBook Parts (Powerbook parts)
  [Great selection of PB parts (screens, case pieces, logic boards, etc.) but for commonly available things like a 20GB IBM HD, their prices were about $50 over OWC's.]
• Apple Takes 39,000 Square Feet for Second Call Center Site (globe st.com)
• Mac OS X looks like a champ (redherring)
• Mac OS X: Apple Delivers A Work in Progress (washington post)
• Near-perfect keyboard for Mac produced by Microsoft (chronicle)
• Can Apple Move Beyond the Mix Tape? (feedmag)
• Motorola to Cut 4,000 More Jobs (NY times)
• OS X: It's Easy As, Well, a Mac (wired)
• Mac OS X: Built to last? (Cnet)
• Is OS X Make or Break for Apple? (pcworld)
• Apple's special OS X marketing ploy (the register)
• OS 9.2 in development (macuser uk)
• Que 16X Firewire CDRW review [using our reader patched support file] (applelust)
• OS X Through the Ages (macworld)
• Corel "will be back in black" (macworld uk)
• CeBit: Corel unveils Painter 7, KPT 7 (macworld uk)
• Exclusive: Apple calms resellers over Tesco rumpus (For UK Readers) (macworld uk)
• 1394 chiefs back 5C's copy controls (the register)
• OS X Beta Diary: Epilogue (macworld)
• MacInstruct- Network Tools in Mac OS X (macinstruct)
• Monitor Calibration Tools (macworld)

Gaming:
• More Sound Blaster-ready games coming, says Westlake (maccentral)

Other Net News:
• MS plans 'Secure PC' that won't copy pirated audio files
• MS preparing for IE6 public preview? (the register)
• Microsoft warns of hijacked certificates (cnet)
• Intel Chief Says Market Slump Could Last 18 Months (ecommercetimes)
• Worm Targeting Linux Could Cause Serious Damage (internet news)
• Taiwanese duo do DIMM successor(the register)

• Reader Reports on PC GeForce2MX Cards in Macs
  [more Graphics card related articles]
• 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]