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[This is a past news page, the current news page is at www.xlr8yourmac.com/]
Today's Software Updates/TILs/Other Net News links from Barney Bouy includes another daily mega-dose of what's news around the net including several WWDC news items (like Apple's Dual G4) and much more.
= 3:30 PM Update Follows =
Apple Multimedia Update Direct Download: Lionel sent a link to download the
Apple Multimedia update. For those that were having problems using Software Update,
try this link.
More Logic Audio/G4 Upgrade Problem Feedback/Workaround: Darrel Merritt sent an update on his previously reported problems, along with a a note that setting the cache mode to 'write-through' helped:
"Hi Mike and Emil,
Here's an summary/update on where I'm at with my Newertech G4/400
freezing problems:
The symptoms:
- Mac totally freezes while recording audio (from an audio CD or DAT) to
the hard drive via the Audiowerk8's digital input in Emagic Logic Audio
Platinum 4.x (highly reproduceable); also during general Logic use; with
or without Velocity Engine features enabled.
- Mac totally freezes while copying audio from internal CD drive (audio
CD) to hard drive using Toast Audio Extractor 1.1.
- Mac totally freezes while dragging files on desktop.
- Mac totally freezes while saving large files in Photoshop 5.5.
- Mac totally freezes while using Emagic Waveburner 1.x during general
editing (not while burning).
No error messages - just a total OS lock-up. Powering off is required to
reboot. None of these problems occurred prior to the G4/400 upgrade - I'm
a full-time Photoshop artist, and I've been using Logic Audio/Audiowerk8
semi-professionally for several years, so I would have noticed!
Tried the following:
- Removed 6244 RAM (leaving only 2244 RAM).
- Tested RAM with Gauge Pro/Techtool Pro.
- Tried OS 8.6 and 9.0 (currently using 9.04).
- Zapped PRAM, NVPRAM.
- Checked hard drive integrity.
- Shifted PCI cards around.
- Lowered CPU temperature by opening case door and pointing a fan
directly at card (normally around 61-63C, went down to 47-51C).
- Tried MAXpowr software versions 2.0 and 2.04.
- Lowered backside cache from default 200MHz to 100MHz.
- Re-installed Logic, created a new Autoload
- Trashed various preferences
- Disabled extensions.
The Work-Around/Solution:
Disabling all extensions fixed the problem; re-enabling the backside
cache (with other extensions still disabled) caused the problem to
reappear. Lowering the backside cache speed didn't help.
Turning on all extensions, but disabling the backside cache, fixed the
problem - but the Mac wouldn't restart (empty grey screen).
Changing the default backside cache setting from "Write-back (faster)" to
"Write-through" fixed the problem, and enabled the Mac to restart. Since
changing the backside cache setting, I've yet to have a freeze (it was
very easy to trigger a freeze before doing this, so it looks promising).
FWIW, my Norton CPU rating dropped from 1140 to around 940 with this fix;
video, hard drive and FPU performance also dropped.
Regards,
Darrel Merritt"
= 11:00 AM Update Follows =
Panasonic 9.4GB DVD RAM Drives: PC World has an article on Panasonic's next-generation DVD RAM drives titled DVD-RAM Drive Capacity Leaps. The article says the drives are due to be released this summer, with internal models expected to retail for under $600. With 9.6GB drives to retail at about the current 5.2GB DVD-RAM drive prices, I'd expect to see prices drop on current models. Also noted is an expected early June launch of a DVD-RAM format 'consumer video recorder' with an est. price of $2283. (For consumers with deep pockets apparently ;-)
Promax Working on Turbomax ATA/66 Card Deep Sleep Update: A reader sent word that Promax is working on a firmware update to allow deep sleep mode with the Turbomax ATA/66 card:
"Mike,
I just got a reply to an email I sent to ProMax. They say they are working on a flash upgrade for the TurboMax 66 card that will support deep sleep on G4's. They say it should be ready soon.
Best,
-Mark Sarowitz"
Of course Turbomax ATA/33 card owners are wondering if there will be a similar update. (I doubt it, but I've asked Promax about future Turbomax ATA/33 updates.)
More on DirectCD 1.05: The reader that noted buying DirectCD 1.05 via Adaptec's Europe online store yesterday sent copies of the readme files from v1.05. Although the headline in the "Systems and Drives Supported" file said DirectCD v1.05, the body text only mentioned v1.04 and the latest OS version listed as tested was OS 8.1. He did send copies of Get-Info screens that showed the DirectCD and UDF extensions were v1.05 however. As of today I still do not see v1.05 listed at their main web site or US online store. I've mailed a contact at Adaptec for more info on DirectCD v1.05.
More on Logic Audio/G4 Upgrade Problems: A reader that previously reported problems with Logic Audio in his 9500 with Newer Tech G4 upgrade sent an update on the situation:
"Hello again,
I called the Newertech support line today, and they
informed me that several Logic Audio users had
reported problems with the MAXpowr cards crashing.
Apparently, the chief engineer had been in contact
with Emagic, who has recently sent them a copy of
Logic in order to work out the bugs. They stated that
a fix may arise in the future in the form of a new
driver, or an update in Logic. For the time being,
however, they suggested that I return the card until
such a fix is available.
Thanks again for all your help. If you have any
suggestions of a good, stable G4 upgrade that has been
known to work well with Logic (perhaps on a 9500),
please let me know.
Take care,
Emil
"
If any readers are using Logic Audio in an older Mac with G4 upgrade successfully, please contact me with specifics on your system/upgrade card.
Orange Micro Firewire/USB Combo Card Sleep Issue: A reader reports a problem waking from sleep with this card in his Beige G3:
"Hi Mike,
...
I too purchased the OrangeLink FireWire/USB PCI Board. I have been using
it in my beige G3/266 mini-tower under OS 8.6 (required for the card). I
can report no problems with this handy card, except for one annoying one.
The Mac appears to go dead after 10 seconds of sleep, and cannot be
revived! I have tried everything suggested on Apple's Tech Exchange, to
no avail. Otherwise, the card is happy in slot 1 (luckily put there by
chance). Look forward to testing digital video sometime soon.
Regards,
Vic"
I've asked Vic if he's using only the Apple Firewire 2.3.3 and Apple USB card support
1.4.1 drivers. Based on reports, the Apple Firewire drivers are a better solution that using
the vendor's drivers. I've added Vic's report to the recent Firewire/USB Combo Card Owner Comments page.
More Info on Molex DVI Adapters: A reader replied to a post in yesterday's news regarding Molex DVI adapters:
"
Mike:
Regarding this article. I had to look into this myself in order to accommodate some PC's I was building for some clients who had Compaq flat panel screens but Matrox flat panel adapters (DFP plug on the Compaq's and DVI Receptacle on the Matrox card). While Molex does have products that fit the bill (they have a lot of converters, actually), they do not sell directly to the public (at least, not that I could see anyway), and MOST of their resellers want you to order 200 + parts at a time.
I found one called Digi-Key (www.digikey.com) who will sell parts individually, and they carry all Molex connectors. They even covered my screw up when I ordered the wrong part (plug instead of receptacle) and reimbursed me after I sent back the wrong part. Very unusual and excellent customer support. I'd use the Molex site to figure out which part you need (and be careful of that, BTW) and then enter that part # in the Digi-Key web site part search page. [Here's the search page-Mike] Works like a charm, and the connectors are pretty reasonably priced.
Chris Hough "
Digi-Key is a pretty famous vendor of of many electronic parts. I used to get their catalogs at work, it was a pretty common staple of our Engineering department (esp. for lab projects).
Toast 4.1 Update: (For those that missed last night's 10:30 PM update). Adaptec now as a press release on the Toast 4.1 update. I bought Toast 4 Deluxe yesterday at CompUSA for $89.xx. Even with the 4.02 update it didn't recognize the Sony 10X Firewire drive, however using Toast's web checkup feature I discovered the Toast 4.1 Deluxe and OEM update (dated 5/15/2000). English, French and German versions are available. The update adds support for firewire CDRs among other things and the Sony 10x Firewire drive is now recognized. A 695.7MB CD burn to a 80Min CDR in the Sony drive completed in just over 8 minutes.
I'll be testing the Sony Firewire drive today with my S900 system with Western Digital Firewire card and Toast 4.1 to see if 10X burns are reliable. (A reader had asked if 10X rates would be reliable in older macs with firewire PCI cards.)
Mac BSSEYO Koan Plugin: Bob Friede sent a note about a press release titled 'SSEYO Adds Powerful Synthesizer To Expanding Koan Interactive Audio Platform' claiming it's 'The Fastest System For Stunning Website Music, Sounds, Treatments, Percussion and FX'. See the press release and
http://www.sseyo.com/webapps/sseyofreestore.html for more info. (SSEYO Koan Plugin VKE Mac download is 391Kb.)
Prosoft WWDC Radialogic Giveaways: (I missed this in yesterday's mail) Prosoft wrote they're giving away $20,000 worth of their Radialogic storage drivers to WWDC attendees. Readers using Radialogic have given it high praise. I've got an OEM version to test, with a promise of a full retail evaluation copy soon.
Review/Ratings Databases Updated: The searchable Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game/Video card framerates and
Drive Compatibility databases were updated this morning with new entries from this weekend.
Software Updates/TILs/Other Net News: (Thanks to Barney Buoy)
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.
Monday's News Summary
- Toast 4.1 Update adds firewire CDR support & more
- Apple's WWDC/OS X Related Press Releases
- Maya (3D) Coming to Mac (OS X):
- OWC G3/400 & G3/450 ZIF Reader Specials
- Direct CD 1.05? (European reader notes buying v1.05 online)
- Good News Regarding Future Epic Mac Games
- MicroMat's Drive10 Disk Util for OS X
- DirectCD Patch for Plextor 12X CDRW Updated
- Epic Dropping OpenGL and Glide APIs for Unreal 2?
- Firewire/USB Combo Card Owner Feedback
- Apple Multimedia Update Feedback
- Sony 10X Firewire CDRW First Impressions
- New Driver for MS Natural Keyboard Pro
- PCI IDE Cards & Deep Sleep
- Sonnet Lowers CPU Upgrade Prices (again):
- DFP to DVI Adapters
- Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated.
- Software Updates Listing
- Other Net News (WWCD/hardware/general news)
Saturday's News Summary
- DirectCD Patch for Plextor 12X CDRW Drives
- E3/Nvidia Comments (translated):
- More on MultiMedia Update
- New Apple MultiMedia Update w/ATI Drivers
- Yamaha 8X CDR/Adaptec Jam Tip
- NVidia/Mac E3 News (Japanese page)
- Sony Firewire 10x/4x/32X CDRWs in Stock
- More on 4th Gen Cheetah & HDT 4 Drivers
- Wired4DVD Region 3 Issue?
- Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated.
- Software Updates Listing
- New/Updated Apple TILs
- Other Net News
Friday's News Summary
- News links include Toshiba's new high-cap. Notebook drives, Firewire 2.5" drives & more
- Bottom Line and OWC's weekly specials lists
- New.com article on WWDC focus
- 3dfx Graphics Card BTO Petition Online
- WD Firewire card in S900 working for me
- Wanted: Firewire/USB Combo Card Feedback:
- More on Digidesign INIT & IDE Drive Write Performance Drop
- Umax S900/WD Firewire Card Problem Report
- Macally iShock Controller/Type 2 Errors
- DVI Adapters
- Alum G3/450 Doesn't Help Beige G3 Owner w/Logic Audio Problem
- Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated.
- Software Updates Listing
- New/Updated Apple TILs
- Other Net News
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 3,700+ reports and growing.
Make a Difference: Be the Difference
Randy Mita, Brad Lau and I came up with a new slogan and theme for Mac advocacy - "Make a Difference: Be the Difference". We're asking that all Mac owners take advantage of every opportunity to let others know the Mac advantage. It's a grass-roots approach that will surely help. You might save someone from a lifetime of Windows in the bargain.
Thanks to my wife Kay, the ultimate computer widow
for putting up with all the time I spend with the site work, tests and email.= Top of Page =
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