" Hey there Mike,
Just thought I'd tell you some things I've noted with the QuickTime 5 "beta".

* DV playback is MUCH MUCH better. Finally I can run full DV-PAL on my G4/350 at full framerate! My PC-using friends droooooled at the fact that I could do that... :)

* Much better compatibility with MPEG video. Files that wouldn't open before on my mac now opens. REALLY GREAT!

Just wanted to give you a bit of my experience,
Best wishes,
Erik Lindahl "

" decided to give voodoo 5 1.1 drivers a second shot on my voodoo 3
no problems so far and the graphing calculator is working properly. also tried quicktime 5 preview and mpg videos are no longer dithered full screen.
I don't have a video benchmark but video seems faster overall
Pedro Chamorro "

" For Quicktime 5 on the report from someone who had a message pop up on restart saying that all components were not installed [previous news page reader report-Mike] and that you must connect to download them. I had the same problem, but fixed it, just use the qt5 installer to custom remove all quicktime extensions/apps and then do a reinstall of qt5, fixed it for me and btw quicktime 5 works great, the video settings feature where you can adjust the contrast/brightness/color/tint is the best feature for me.
Sandy "

An QT5 install tip noted in the recent news was to do a "Custom" install then "select all" to make sure all extensions including QD3D were intact. (Some had reported that QD3D extensions may be removed otherwise).

I created a page with my tests of QT 5 vs QT 4.1 on a separate page linked on the systems (in G4 Macs area) and Tips/Misc (software section) articles pages.

" Mike, recently I posted a review of the DJSA-220 HD from IBM, I had some problems in regards to the APM on the HD as shipped, after several email conversations with engineers at IBM I've found that the settings for APM are stored on the HD (location unknown, but more on that in a minute.) and that the default for the drive can be semi-permanently changed

The firmware on the drive reads this setting on power up and stores it in firmware cache (this is why not all of it is available during use). The APM adjustment tool that you've posted a link for (which works wonderfully if you only use MacOS) adjusts the value in memory, without leaving the tool active the tuning feature is lost. IBM's tool actually marks the drive with this setting and this is what allows one to fix the default as they see fit.

The defaults are as follows (in hex)

Best Power savings, Drive can independant of system shut off: lowest: 0x01 to highest 0x7f

Medium Power savings, spindle will not stop, but can throttle, heads can park: lowest: 0x80 to highest 0xfe

Worst power management (by IBM's ratings 7% less power consumed then best) : 0xff

IBM's sight mentions that in ATA4 0xff isn't supported, but works for these drives, its the setting that I am using, as I use the Macs PMU to control drive spool and response.

I have a question off to IBM in regards to the physical location of these settings, and whether it changes relative to the drives geometry. If I can, I will write a tool that will allow the actually writing of this setting, first in linux (easier to write for for me) then for Mac OS.

my current default only spools down when I say, I have no problems with sleep (had some with OSX with the previous settings, if it slept for more then 10 minutes, it would not start up, this is fixed!) the pauses, clicks, etc are gone. (APM tool reads default as 254 after trashing the prefs file.)

if anyone else wants to do this the hard way, keep in mind that setting the default will currupt your harddrive (I did a backup before doing this) I used a pcmcia to ide controller (usually sold as transfer kits) mounted it and used the powertool provided for windows 95/98 on IBM's site.
Best wishes..
Randall "

If your drive is working fine I'd not suggest messing with it (leaving well enough alone is always good advice). The first step if you are having problems is to try the APM Tuner. (Check the drive compatibility listings and info there before using it).

My reviews/install guides on the IBM 20GB and 32GB Travelstar drives (on the IDE articles page and PB section of the Systems page) have links to IBM's product pages for these drives (the 20GB IBM Travelstar page is here) which has more info. Their (Win 9x only) PowerBooster Utility page has more info on the tool Randall mentions.

" Mike:
I installed the Apple Modem Update 2.0 on my PB G3 Wallstreet 266/128 (upgraded to 466/128) on Tuesday evening and it works just fine. I had to adjust some modem settings (sorry, I've forgotten exactly which ones) to get the computer to recognize the modem again, but otherwise had no problems. I don't use the modem except when I'm traveling (I was in Chicago on business at the time), but it's nice to know it's running at top performance. I look forward to trying it on less than optimum connections such as I experience in Japan, to see if the connect speed and stability are better now.
Regards, Jim "

" Hello again from the UK.
We have a Pismo 500 and a 350mhz G3 b/w (single drive model). The Pismo is running latest updated OS9.04 International, and the b/w OS8.6 British.
Despite much messing around, playing with CPs and extensions, booting to base extensions etc, rebooting after shutdown etc, using either of the 'authorised' Apple CCLs etc we are unable to run the modem updater.

We always get the 'Modem not responding message'.

We have tried both the Z-Apple version and the N. American version.

Frankly I'm stumped (and I have a reputation locally as a mac fixer!).

Using ZTerm (ATI3) both modems report:
V2.200-V90-2M-DLS

Fortunately both modems continue to work OK - neither have been damaged!

I also tried it briefly on a clients Lombard PowerBook 400 (OS9.04 Int) which also failed to respond.
P.
Cyber CDP "

If any readers have any suggestions on this problem let me know and I'll post them here.

" Hi Mike,
PB400 (pismo) OS9.0.4 192mb ram, 20Gb IBM travelstar.

dial-up connection a long way from the central switch (50k feet or longer) previous best dial-up speed was 28.8 (usually 26.4).

Modem updater 2.0 applied. Fastest connection is now 39k with 36k being the slowest.

I'm very pleased.
Tom S. "

" Mike,
Applied the modem updater on a G4 400 with AGP. It took about three minutes to perform the update. No problems encountered during the update.
I do connect at over 38000. I do use Global FAX software that adds a couple of bells and whistles that standard OS 9.04 software does not. The ability to add V42 bis is one.
I would like to try another script file to see if I get higher connection rates.
William "

" Mike,
I have a B&W G3/450 and I applied the firmware update without any problems at all. I was connecting regularly at 49.3K before the update. Have connected at 48.0K the couple of times since the update. I was not having any troubles before the update, and don't seem to be having any troubles since, either.
Jeff "

The first B&W G3 owner report (farther down) noted a modem failure after the update.

" hi Mike
I installed the modem updater and have no problem so far... My remote access window says connected at 57600, same as before but actual through put seems to be better but I haven't made any hard number comparisons, it just seems to be a little faster, that makes me feel better about it ! I hope it keeps working !
my system?
a G4 350, ver. 2.6, PCI, 258 Mb ram, running OS 9.0.4
--
Paul "

57.6K is the Modem's data rate, not the actual connection rate (often using some non-std scripts can report rates like this instead of the actual connect rate).

" Hi Mike,
Fried my internal Apple modem in my B&W G3 when applying the Modem updater. It appears that in reviewing the comments in Versiontracker I am not alone.

Wanted to know if you had a internal modem in your B&W G3 that you were wanting to part with since you have the G4's now or knew of someone that has one.
Thanks,
Scott Blasl "

I suggested he try smalldog or some of the other dealers that sell parts. I seem to remember a real fire sale on internal modems a few months back (under $30). I also remember a few reports like this from Beige G3 owners when a firmware update for that modem was released (mine flashed ok, but some reported DOA modems afterward).

Like any firmware update, despite the fact the readme recommends everyone update, if you're not having connection problems (low connect rates) it may be safest to leave well enough alone.

A G4 owner replied with positive results:

" Hi Mike:
FYI -- after updating my modem firmware and using the modem scripts posted @ (MIT hyperarchive)
http://hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive/Abstracts/comm/apple-56k-internal-modem-scripts.hqx.txt
[This file must be converted with BinHex 4.0]

I am finally able to get a connection with my G4 (AGP) internal modem that is over 33Kbps. That's the first time ever on this old phone line. IPNetMonitor verifies the throughput speedup.
Best Wishes, Allan"

Gunnar sent a direct HQX file link to the modem scripts Allan mentioned..

I welcome other feedback from users that have applied the modem update. (please include your system details).

Other Modem Related Links Here: Links to Modem related previous articles here:

• Beige G3 Internal Modem Install Guide
• B&W G3 int. Modem feedback and Alternate Modem Scripts
• Creating an OT/PPP Login Script
• Tips/Misc page Communications/modem related articles
• FAQ's Modem Section

"BLUECHIP UPGRADES NOW SHIPPING, AUSTIN, TX
--October 19, 2000 -- PowerLogix announced today the highly-anticipated BlueChip G3 processor upgrades for Wallstreet and Mainstreet PowerBook G3s are now shipping.

"Currently, the 466MHz cards are available through all our resellers," said Robin Sharp, Marketing Director for PowerLogix R&D, Inc. "We expect the 500MHz models to begin shipping in November."

The BlueChip G3 processor upgrade simply replaces the stock processor card. The user removes the stock processor card and installs the BlueChip upgrade in its place. The stock CPU card as well as the BlueChip are socketed and install easily following the included instructions.

BlueChip Model List Price
466/1mb $599
500/1mb $699

For more information, contact PowerLogix
R&D, Inc, 3921 Steck Avenue,
A-105, Austin, Texas 78759, 877-849-2504,
Fax: (512) 795-2981,
info@powerlogix.com, http://www@powerlogix.com.
--
Robin Sharp-Howdershelt
Powerlogix R&D
Marketing Director"

Combo DVD/CDRW Drives:
• Toshiba IDE SD-R1002 in B&W G3
  (notes OS X CD will boot, but fails at the "Preparing to install" screen)
  
  CDRW Drives:
• EZquest PRO-MAR Series 12x/10x/32x (w/PB G3 2000)
• Plextor PX-W1210A in ADS Pyro Firewire case (used w/8500 and ADS firewire card including with the drive kit)
• Plextor IDE PX-W120TA/SW (Plexwriter 12/10/32) in Beige G3
  (using FWB CD drivers, notes having to request an update from tech support)
• Plextor IDE PX-W120TA/SW in B&W G3
  (OS X report noting it failed to install from the drive)
• Sony Firewire CRX145E/Xi (10/4/32) w/B&W G3
  
  Hard Drives:
• IBM SCSI UltraStar 18 ES (apple ROM version) in 7300/200
• IBM IDE 75GXP 30GB + 60GB in 7500 w/Sonnet Temp PCI IDE card
  (notes restarts after crash mount only one drive)
• Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 20GB (x2) in Beige G3 with Acard PCI IDE (RAID) card
• Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 30GB in Beige G3
• Quantum IDE Fireball Plus LM 20 GB in B&W G3 rev 1 w/PCI IDE card
• Quantum IDE Fireball Ex 6.4GB in B&W G3
• Quantum IDE Fireball Plus LM 30GB in Beige G3
• Seagate SCSI ST15150N 4.3GB in 7300
  (Notes problem with OS X Beta recognizing the drive)
• Seagate SCSI ST318416N 18GB in 7500
• Toshiba IDE MK-1214GAP 12GB in PB G3 Lombard
  (notes some "F" models were made for Compaq notebooks only and would not work)

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.

• Other World Computing G3/450 in B&W G3 (rated 10)
• XLR8 G4/400 in 9600/350 (rated 8)

• B&W G3/300 OC report
• Two B&W G3/350 OC reports

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 4,600 entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy.

Software Updates:

• Nikon View 3.1.1 (direct download link)
• Auto Purge 2.5.1 (direct download link)
• Power Windows 2.4.2 (direct download link)
• AutoPurgeConfigTool (direct download link)
• Hotline 1.8.4 (Reports for some time now have claimed Hotline may be sending info to the parent company in recent versions - more than version checking? who knows...)

Apple TILs:
• iMac: When to Install Available Updaters
• iMac Manuals
• Software Fulfillment Options
• Support for QuickTake Digital Cameras
• iBook Manuals
• Power Mac G4: Display Compatibility
• Apple Modem Updater: Confirming Installation
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet): How to Determine if Multiple Processers Are Functioning
• iMac (Summer 2000): Wavy or Flickering Picture on the Screen
• iMovie 2.0.1: Only iMovie Web Read Me and Late Breaking News Files Are Installed