I just installed the OS 8.6 update on my PB G3/250 without a hitch. I made sure the disk had the latest driver installed, checked it with Disk First Aid (v8.5.1) and then booted from the OS 8.5 CD and ran the install from the hard drive. Running off the AC adapter (no energy savings settings active) I see no reduction in CPU temperature really - it's 75C after about a hour, about the same as before (76C normally). [Update - upon disconnecting (pressing the disconnect button) from the net Remote Access quit with a Type 1 error. I'm getting the ARA client update - but I'd have thought that Apple would have included that in the OS 8.6 update - not so.]

The OS 8.6 Feedback page updates include a fix for the RC5 problem, reports from an Entegra USB Card owner indicating all OK with OS 8.6 and suggestions to Keyspan owners (i.e. 1984 resource mod). Since USB v1.2 is installed by OS 8.6, it could be the issue with the Keyspan cards.

Also included is a tip on Speed Doubler settings (don't keep active), Connectix's reply to Speed Doubler/CVGS reports and an interesting note from a reader on increased Finder CPU usage that hampered some applications performance in his testing. Kurt writes:

"The new multiprocessing provides more time to the finder at the expense of other applications. MOVIE FLO is particularly hard hit - rendering times worsen by at least 50% from earlier systems. Quitting the finder while Movie Flo is working restores Movie Flos' speed. There may be problems with other applications as well. "

The 3D Game News page has another update with too many items to list. Check it out for the latest in game news on the Mac including Quake 3 and Quake 2 (coming soon).

OS 8.6 Cooler Running: Eugene Shekhtman reports that since upgrading to OS 8.6 his G3 Mac seems to run cooler according to Speedmeter's temperature reporting. As noted in yesterday's news Powerbook battery life is also said to be extended which makes me wonder if the OS does some sort of processor cycling. Gene writes:

" ...downloaded system 8.6 last night... Here is a thing that you might find interesting: the Speed Meter 1.5.1 utility used to show my CPU (266/512) running at 47 C under normal conditions; now that temperature is down to 43 C under the same conditions. I wonder if Apple's claims that Powerbooks run cooler under 8.6 has something to do with the fact that the G3 is given more time to idle. Interesting.
Gene "

More OS 8.6 Compat. Issues: A reader reports that his Artz II Wacom graphics tablet does not work after the OS 8.6 Update. He said the Wacom Intuos tablet works fine however. I've also received a second report of Keyspan USB card problems with a note that unplugging/reinserting the mouse restored operation. Other new reports of problems include the Espon 1200C scanner Twain driver, HP 455CA RIP (installing LW 8.5.1 fixed problem) and ATM 4.0 Deluxe/ATR 2.0 Asian language Screen Font set issues. Full details on these reports are listed on the latest update to my OS 8.6 Feedback page.

David Diokno reported that according to Apple TIL #58333, the new Powerbooks have a flash upgradable New World ROM (like the B&W G3s).

The OS 8.6 Feedback page has an update with a report that Keyspan's USB card does not working after the update. If anyone has a fix or workaround please contact me. Also included in the latest update are reports of Video Player TV playback oddities and SoftArc's email client FirstClass crashing upon launch.

Q3Test 1.05 Issue: [Update - a reader says there is a 15 second delay loading the Map file, which may have make some abort before it loads thinking there is some problem. Also note that 1.05 is not backward compatible so the server must also be updated.]

"Mike:
I was using Q3a 1.03 sucessfully. After the install of the 1.05 version, I have a problem. (Yes, I removed the old install as recommended) The problem is this...Q3a crashes when looking for the /maps/ directory. It connects fine, but hangs when looking for /maps/Q3test1 Obviously there is no "maps" directory in the Q3A folder. Help!
Rod
350Yosemite DVD 128mb
8.6, firm 1.02, GL 1.0"

I've not installed Q3test 1.05 but if anyone else has any suggestions please contact me.

Note: the previous post on MesaQuake/Q3Test working on a Creative Labs card was removed, as on further questioning he later replied he had the generic driver Glidelib installed and that it would not work without it. I assumed otherwise on the original post.

PowerBook Central has started a Lombard Price Tracker saying that some dealers are expected to get stock today. It seems that Apple almost price fixes their products, limiting what dealers can do price-wise, but some dealers often throw in 'extras' that make it important to check more than price (include shipping costs in any comparison you make). I expect at first there will be little difference in pricing, but within weeks there may be freebies offered (I hope).

Speaking of Lombard - apparently the CPU module still contains the ROMs which makes CPU upgrades by 3rd parties very unlikely. The Apple Developer notes on the Processor Module clearly show the ROMs are still onboard (sigh).

OS 8.6 Networking Issue with Older Macs: Pat Lee of Dantz wrote about the following issue:

"Mike, Now that Apple has 'officially' announced Mac OS 8.6, we can discuss a networking problem on all the PowerSurge based machines (the original PCI Macs and clones). We have released a tech note discussing the issues and the released fix that Apple released with Mac OS 8.6. You may want to update any affected machines with this new update. For more, see the following URL:
www.dantz.com/technical_support/technotes/tn-414.html
Pat Lee
Dantz "

The full tech note info is also listed on my OS 8.6 Feedback which has a running summary of Issues and Fixes on OS 8.6 based on reader feedback.

More OS 8.6 Feedback: The OS 8.6 Feedback page is updated with comments on improved performance, RC5 problem, notes on Virtual PC (v2.1.3 required), more MP owner feedback including an interesting comment on putting the Ultimate Rez control panel in the extensions folder and much more. A Sonnet G3 card owner also reported OS 8.6 freezes with their software installed. One reader also reported his problem with Disk First Aid destroying his desktop file (custom icons) also disappeared after the update.

Jon Rust wrote that using the Download.com mirror noted in yesterday's news resulted in files he could not use. Not sure if he was using Netscape (often Option key required to download binary) but he wrote:

"I downloaded the update from ftp8.download.com 3 times (!!). In each case, Stuffit 5.1.x, 4.5x, and 4.0x could not open the file. I love d/l'ing 35 meg files for nothing!
Jon Rust"

I had some problems in IE 4.5 from the first appearance - the 34MB download would only launch IE. Versiontracker reports that MindExpander has helped in some cases and that changing file type/creator to APPL and oneb may be a solution (using Typer).

The 3D Game News page has a small update on the new Quake3 Test with a note to remove previous versions before updating. Frank also sent a note that 3DGamers FTP site had a faster download (direct download link).

Apple/ATI OpenGL Update: Luke Andrews sent a note that there is a new version of the OpenGL (ATI) drivers. Apple's OpenGL page has a download link, or you can use this direct file download link to the get May 6th dated drivers. [Thanks to Ben Galanti for a note that the developer OpenGL page was out of date]

Versiontracker also has other OS 8.6 related updates on Remote Access Client, Apple Speech Recognition, Apple Open Transport Extras (that are included on the 8.6 CD), AppleScript Extras (included on the 8.6 CD) and also an update to the Apple USB DDK.

If you don't check every day's daily news (updated several times a day normally) you might miss something valuable. Check the summary list below for highlights of the last two days news and the archives page for older new page links. For a blast from the past, read what was on the news page here exactly a year ago.

Other Net News:

• AOL pursuing Linux OS for the Net (News.com)
• Jobs announces two new notebooks (News.com)
• Intel plans summer price cuts, 550MHz PIII (News.com)

Monday's News Summary

• New Powerbook Details
• OS 8.6 improves battery life
• Mirrors for OS 8.6 update
• Pentium III 500Mhz Photoshop 5 Performance
• OS 8.6 Feedback page created
• 3D Gaming News updated
• More on Mac Server Cases
• Quake3Test Perf. w/MP850 3dfx Banshee
• World's greatest Quake player comments on Mac
• PCI Timing Update comments
• G3 CPU Upgrade Ratings database updated
• Other Net News

Weekend's News Summary

• 3D Gaming News updated
• Reminder on OS 8.6 Quad CPU issue
• OS 8.6 brief release, review at MacsOnly
• Carmageddon2/Libmoto Conflict (see Libmoto page)
• Toast/Grappler CDR Burning Problems clarification
• Comments on ZIF bus speed adjustments
• B&W G3 Firmware Update fixes monitor sleep
• Alex's new column on IP routers/Net sharing
• Reader comments on Routers
• More OWC $299 ZIF Raves
• BLOL Specials (incl. DVD)
• B&W G3 Server Case wish list
• 9500 RAM Upgrade how-to
• More on Grappler/4416S/Toast
• More Q3Test Framerates
• Sonnet G3/PowerBase Towers fit issues
• Quake 3 Tips/Screenshots updated
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade database updated
• Other Net News

For other recent site news/features links, see the Sidebar to the right and the Recent Site Features page.

If you own a G3/300 or faster Mac, you might want to get our PPC Checker utility that will report if your CPU is copper or aluminum based.

Considering a G3 Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The database is being updated daily for new reports. Also make sure you ask your dealer about any issues with current builds of some models (ie PF G3) as I have gotten several reports of issues with certain mac models in the last few months (Mach 5, PowerBase, 7300). I urge any owners that have had problems to report this via the Survey Form. Always give the most weight to recent owner reports (dated in the listing).