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Accelerate Your Mac! News Archive for: 11/27/00 Monday's NewsReturn to Accelerate Your Mac!

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Top stories of Nov. 27th, 2000:

Voodoo4 *AGP* Card in a Mac
Rene posted a topic on sunday night in the forums here on flashing a PC Voodoo4 4500 AGP card with the Mac Voodoo4 PCI rom, noting it worked.

" Hi,
I've flashed a PC Voodoo4 AGP with a Mac ROM and it works in my G4-400 AGP Someone already tested it with a Voodoo5 AGP but failed.

The Voodoo4 Flasher can be downloaded here: http://www.coolmedia.de/Voodoo4Flasher.sit

The Mac ROM are NOT included in this archive. The ReadMe file tells you how you can extract the ROM images of 3Dfx MacTools.

Would be interesting to see if a Mac Voodoo4, relfashed with a PC ROM will enable the DVI connector when used in a PC....
Rene "

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Warning on Flashing PC Voodoo5 AGP Card with Mac Voodoo5 PCI ROM:
I was the person that tried flashing a PC Voodoo5 AGP with the Mac Voodoo5 PCI ROM and it *DID NOT WORK*. All I got was a gray screen and attempting to reflash the PC ROM back in hung the installer (repeatedly). The card would not work in a PC after this, so beware flashing PC Voodoo5 AGP cards with the Mac ROM - you'll end up with a card that doesn't work in a Mac or PC in my experience.

The issue of AGP not supporting 2 devices must require an AGP specific firmware/workaround (despite the fact the VSA-100 chip is a PCI device). (Note ATI last year said that AGP macs could not support their dual chip AGP card. 3dfx says they have a working Mac Voodoo5 AGP, but it's unknown when or if it will be released.)

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Cubase VST 5.0, RockNES 1.6, MenuStrip 1.0 for OS X, RAMedit 1.0
and others are included in tonight's Software Updates listing. Tonight's TIL Updates include a Technical Overview of Disk Volume Structures, DVD player troubleshooting after a clean install and docs covering Airport card installation in PowerBook (firewire), G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) and G4 Cube models.

The Other Net News listing includes articles from around the web including a review of Promax's DH Max (dual output AGP graphics card reviewed here on Nov 6th) tested in a G4 Cube at Macsonly, USA Today's article on Test Driving OS X and a press release on TI's improved Firewire Peripherals chip.

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GL Hexen2 For Mac:
For the full version you'll need the downloads at http://www.planetquake.com/paroxysm/ as well as the retail (PC) CD, but they have a demo version available for download as well.
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Flashing Voodoo5/Voodoo4 With Previous ROM Version:
For those that had problems with the latest firmware update in the 1.1.2 drivers, a reader has posted a thread in the forums here noting an illustrated guide on how to flash back to a previous rom version.
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$1299 Philips 17 inch LCD with DVI & VGA Inputs:
While at a local Costco on Sunday I noticed they have a 17 inch (1280x1024 resolution) LCD display for $1299.xx ($1399.xx with $100 instant discount). The display has both VGA (analog) and DVI (digital) ports. I didn't see any indication of the warranty length, but this is the lowest cost 17" DVI LCD display I've seen.

Philips website uses a session ID so I can't link to their product page, but they do have a PDF specs file for the 170B LCD display. Options include a USB hub module and protective screen cover.

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MacSpeech iListen 1.0 Released:
MacSpeech has a press release on their competitor or IBM's ViaVoice called iListen. Price is $99 (less headphones). See www.macspeech.com for more info and optional microphones and scriptpaks. Several readers have already asked how iListen compares to ViaVoice. If any readers have used both products, please let me know what you think is the better product and why.
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Donate Mac Systems for Schools:
MacTreasures has a program for donating Mac systems to schools. If you wish to donate a Macintosh or have a school included in the Macintosh Computer Donation Program, send an email to unusual@mactreasures.com requesting further information on the Program. (I could not find any web page or other info on this program at their main web site at www.mactreasures.com.)
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More Firewire WebCam Reports:
Last week a reader reported a conflict between an ADS Pyro Firewire Webcam and his VR128 graphics card (digitizer extension). The VR128 extensions conflict is not limited to Firewire cameras as an owner of a USB camera also reported the same issue. I asked for comments from other Firewire Webcam owners and an Orange Micro's iBot user wrote he was pleased with it compared to other webcams.
" I've had the OrangeMicro iBot for about a week now, and overall I'm quite happy with it. The image quality (color accuracy and sharpness) is far superior to the Logitech Quickcam, and it does a better job in low light.

Occasionally glitches show up in the video (bursts of noise) but quitting the app and replugging the cam seems to fix it. This problem only seems to show up in apps that are processing the feed from the cam, like Cuseeme. Apps that just display the raw feed don't seem to have the problem. It could be a driver issue, or it could be a problem with OS9 not managing its resources properly. I haven't really narrowed it down.

Its not a big problem, though, and doesn't really affect the usefulness of the cam.

Hopfully they will develop OSX drivers for it!
I'm enclosing a still image from the cam.
-- Mark Edwards "

(Update - The OS X section of the FAQ here has this info and links to Firewire webcam drivers for OS X from a 3rd party.)


" Just to let you know I have the same problem with my Irez USB camera in my Beige G3 with the VR 128. I looks like that the ATI Video player program detects the camera before the video hardware on the card, and obviously won't let you use their software. It looks like it is a problem with EVERY USB or Firewire camera with ATI's software.
Jason "

As I noted on the past news post, one solution is to make an extensions set that has the VR128 digitizer extension disabled for use with the camera.

I welcome other reports from owners of Firewire Webcams.

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Drive Compatibility Database Updates:
The Drive Compatibility searchable database had 19 new entries posted this morning (current total 2,043). (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)

    Combo DVD ROM/CDRW Drives:
  • IDE Toshiba SD-R1002 in Beige G3
  • IDE Ricoh MP9120A-DP in B&W G3
    (not bootable, problems reading audio cds noted)

    CDRW Drives:
  • SCSI 9600se 12x/8x/32x External w/B&W G3
  • Plextor IDE 12/10/32 in ADS Pyro Firewire case
    (update to prev. report - noting 'cable select' drive setting solved problems)
  • IDE Yamaha CRW2100E 16/10/40x in G4/AGP
  • SCSI Yamaha CDR 400t in B&W G3 (w/2906 scsi card)
  • SCSI Yamaha CRW8424SX External w/B&W G3 (2930 scsi card)

    Hard Drives:
  • IDE IBM 75GXP 46GB in G4/AGP
  • IDE IBM 75GXP 30GB in G4/AGP
  • IDE IBM 75GXP 30GB in 85/8600 w/Acard IDE RAID card
    (notes no audio dropouts)
  • IDE IBM 20GB in B&W G3 rev 1 w/PCI IDE card
  • IDE IBM Travelstar DJSA-220 20GB in PB G3 wallstreet 2
    (notes some sleep issues)
  • IDE IBM Travelstar 32GB in PB G3 wallstreet 2 (running OS X)
    (comments on a magnet/fit issue -I didn't see this in my review and install guide of the Travelstar 32GB in a PB Firewire)
  • IDE Maxtor DiamondMax 40GB in B&W G3 rev 1 w/Sonnet Tempo card
    (notes conflict with Adaptec 2906 SCSI card)
  • IDE Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 27GB in B&W G3 rev 2
  • IDE Quantum Fireball Plus LM30 30GB in 7600 w/PCI IDE card
  • IDE Quantum Fireball KX 20GB in B&W G3 rev 2
    (see this photo illustrated guide for rev 2 or G4 2nd drive installs)
  • IDE Western Digital 10GB in PowerBase

    Removable Drives:
  • IDE ZIP 250 in B&W G3

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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Rate Your CPU Upgrade Database Updates:
The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 17 new reports today (total to date: 4,827).

  • Newer Tech G3/500 in 9600/233 (rated 10)
  • Newer Tech G4/400 in 9600/350 (rated 5)
    (freezes noted with some apps)
  • Other World Computing G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 9)
  • Other World Computing G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 8)
  • Other World Computing G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  • Other World Computing G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 6)
  • Other World Computing G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  • Powerlogix BlueChip G3/466 in PowerBook G3 Wallstreet 1 (rated 10)
  • Powerlogix BlueChip G3/466 in PowerBook G3 Wallstreet 1 (rated 10)
  • Powerlogix BlueChip G3/500 in PowerBook G3 Wallstreet 1 (rated 10)
  • Powerlogix BlueChip G3/500 in PowerBook G3 Wallstreet 2 (rated 8)
  • Powerlogix BlueChip G3/466 in PowerBook G3 Wallstreet 2 (rated 10)
    (has 20GB IBM replacement drive)
  • Powerlogix BlueChip G3/466 in PowerBook G3
  • OEM G3/450 ZIF in Beige G3 (rated 10)
    (filed under "other brand")

  • Beige G3/300 OC report
  • B&W G3/350 OC report
  • B&W G3/450 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 of over 4,800 entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand)

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Video Card Game/Benchmark Performance Database Updated:
Updates to the Mac Game/Video Card Performance database included Quake3 performance results at 640x480 & 800x600 from a Beige G3 @541MHz w/Voodoo2 and Quake 3 at 1024x768 from a Beige G3 @385MHz w/Voodoo3 3000 PCI.
Total entries in the database to date: 2,227. 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.
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Rate Your Mac Games (Reader Reviews Database) Updated:
Today's Reader's Rate Their Mac Games database updates included another reader review of Unreal Tournament. Total reviews including all titles is 674. Since each review entry also notes system details like CPU type/speed, RAM and Video card type, these reviews are also good to see how well games play on various Mac models and video cards (important to know before you buy). If you've not already done so enter a game review.
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Software Updates, Apple TILs and Other Net News:

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Recent Reviews/Articles:
For those that don't check the news daily or the Topics pages (sidebar and under the logo links):

  • OpenGL 1.2.1 Performance Reports [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • Radeon Driver Update 1.0 Feedback [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • Beige G3/Voodoo4 Owner reports [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • Nexus128 w/Radeon 1.0 Drvrs & LW 6/Flash5/Fireworks 3 [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • Review of Mac Voodoo4 4500 PCI [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • First Look/Tests of proMax DUAL Monitor AGP Graphics card [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • Photo Guide: Adding a 2nd IDE Drive to your G4 System or B&W G3 rev 2 [More Storage Articles]
  • Q&A With ATI's Programmers on Radeon Graphics Card Features & Software Support [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • IBM 75GXP Hard Drive & Sonnet Tempo PCI IDE Controller in Beige G3 [More IDE Articles]
  • ATI Radeon Mac Edition Review [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • QT 5 vs QT 4, iMovie1/iMovie2 Tests w/Dual & Single CPU G4/500 [More Systems Articles]
  • Cost/Benefit Comparison: 7200 G3/400 Upgrade or Stripped 7500 + CarrierZIF/G3 400? [More CPU Upgrade Articles]
  • IBM TravelStar 32GB performance tests [More PB Storage Articles]
  • ATI BTO Radeon Mac vs. Rage128 Pro [More Graphics Card Articles]
  • PowerBook Firewire Hard Drive Install Guide [More Powerbook Articles]
  • Review of MetaBox's G4/450 2MB Cache CPU Upgrade [More G4 Upgrade Reviews]
  • Review of NewerTech's PowerBook G3/466 CPU upgrade [More G3 Upgrade Reviews]
  • PB G3 Wallstreet Hard Drive Upgrade Guide [More PB storage articles]
  • Mini-Review of Sony Vaio SR17 Subnotebook [More Systems Reviews]

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