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Top stories of Nov. 15th, 2000: |
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| Toast 4.1.2 Update Available: |
| Eli Block sent direct download links to the Deluxe and OEM version updaters:
- Toast 4.1.2 Deluxe Updater -
Toast 4.1.2 OEM Updater -
ftp://ftp.adaptec.com/cd_recording_software/aol/Toast_412_OEM_Updater.hqx
It's rumored this version may fix the DAO/Audio issues with Plextor 12/10/32 drives (and firewire drives that use that mechanism). If you own one of these drives or have other comments on the update, let me know. Please include your mac model and drive details.
There are other software updates included in tonight's updated Software Updates, Apple TILs and Other Net News Listing. Links to news articles around the web are also included (some interesting Cube design clone articles today). Thanks again to Barney Buoy for the news feed.
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| Adaptec 39160 1.02 Firmware Update Performance Report: |
| Last week Adaptec released a 1.02 firmware update for the 39160 Ultra160 SCSI card (see our 39160 performance page for D/L links). The update readme mentioned it solved issues with running more than one 39160 in a G4 system. I didn't see any performance benefit with my single Atlas 10K series 1 drive but reader Tim Seufert reported that in a G4 Gigabit ethernet system, he saw significant improvements in write speeds with his RAID array. (Lower than expected write speeds was a common complaint here previously, noted on the 39160 performance page).
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Mike,
Just wanted to drop you a note that with the new firmware version, I'm
now getting full write performance on my 39160. With a 3-drive RAID 0
volume (Seagate Cheetah 18XL disks, all on one channel of the 39160)
Atto's utility reports ~110 MB/s peak and ~90 MB/s sustained write
rates.
It also seems to have fixed a Linux problem I was having where the
generic driver for all Adaptec cards (aic7xxx) would lock up during boot
if there were no drives on one of the 39160's channels. Must have been
some kind of bad hardware initialization.
There is one other variable: the 39160 is now in a Gigabit Ethernet
Sawtooth, not a B&W G3 like before. I can't test whether the firmware
update would improve performance in a B&W. Prior to the update, I was
still getting limited write rates in the Sawtooth. The limit was higher
than the B&W, about 60 MB/s instead of 40, but definitely there.
Tim
"
I welcome comments on this update (performance tests before/after, etc.). Please include your system and hard drive details in reports.
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| Updated Report on Ricoh DVD/CDRW 12/10/32/8x Combo Drive: |
| A reader sent an update to his Drive Compatibility Database entry on the Ricoh new model Combo DVD/CDRW drive in a Apple G4 AGP system:
"
Hiya mike, in addition to your question about the Intech drivers, . I've updated my report and tried to make it a bit clearer. The drive has functioned in OS X PB as an
Audio Drive and a CD-ROM as well as bootable. I'm trying to figure out what
methodology to use to try the DVD/R/RW parts. :).
Updated report follows.
Had a lot of trouble with this drive initially along lines others have noted
with Ricoh drives using the Apple CD/DVD drivers. In particular, Audio CD's
were rejected, with a "would you like to initialize?" message almost 50% of
the time. (Problem was localized by specific CD labels, BION. Warner Bros,
being worst, with only one WB out of 17 working)
Once I loaded the Intech's CD/DVD SpeedTools 5.1, things improved greatly:
The final score stands as follows:
CDR: Excellent (that 12x burn speed is great)
CD-RW: Not tested yet
DVD: Excellent (Movie tested: "Sleepy Hollow") (hacked DVD player 2.2)
Audio CD: Excellent (SoundJam required to actually listen, see
http://www.intechusa.com/CDDA.html for explanation.
CVGS: Excellent. (Game Tested: Resident Evil 2, under CVGS 1.4)
Bootable(9): No.
Bootable(X): Excellent. (Booted right up, go figure)
If you can live without the OS9 boot, this is one kick a** piece of a drive.
I haven't tested under X other than booting with the PB CD, but I'll make
that a seperate report. I have more detail, But it's prolly more than you
want.
W. "Ian" Blanton
Interesting comment on OS X beta - as so far nobody has reported a CDRW working with it (that I remember). Too see other Combo DVD/CDRW drive owner reports (or other drive types), search the Mac Drive Compatibility Database here.
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| Rate Your CPU Upgrade Database Updates: |
| The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 2 new reports today (total to date: 4,767)
- Apple Yikes G4/400 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 10)
- Newer Tech G3/500 in 9600/300 (rated 10)
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 of over 4,700 entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand)
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| Drive Compatibility Database Updates: |
| The Drive Compatibility searchable database had 5 new entries posted this morning (current total 1965). (Note - I welcome OS X reports in the database from users of non-Apple CD/DVD/CDRW/Firewire drives - select OS X on the entry form)
CDRW Drives:
- IDE Philips E118405 (8x/4x/32x) w/iMac (Rage128 Pro model)
(using the external cable hack)
Removables:
- IDE G4 ZIP drive kit in G4/AGP
(noted freezes w/Iomega's latest drivers when copying large files)
Hard Drives:
- IDE Maxtor 46GB in Beige G3
- IDE Maxtor 30GB in Beige G3 w/PCI IDE card
(noted moving the card/drive from a 8500 to Beige G3
needed a reformat to correct problems writing to the drive)
- Firewire External Western Digital 30GB HD and PCI card in 85/8600
You can find these full reports by searching the database with the drive/brand/mac models listed above selected (the latest reports are shown first in searches).
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database.
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