(Note: for a review of the Proformance3 Graphics card, see the Video Reviews/Articles page.)

However today's mail made do some quick comparisons I've been meaning to do on another option that are really interesting. With OWC's free shipping to USA addresses (on orders over $250), it's cheaper to get a stripped 7500 from OWC and their CarrierZIF/G3 400 ZIF bundle, then move your components over from the 7200 than it is to buy the 7200 G3/400 upgrade. The 7500/CarrierZIF combo also has the advantage of

• CPU card slot Motherboard for much wider/lower cost CPU Upgrade options (now and in the future).
  
  
• CPU card uses faster main system bus vs PCI bus CPU upgrade for 7200.
  
  
• CarrierZIF accepts many ZIF CPU modules, allowing lower cost CPU upgrade swaps in the future. ( And the CarrierZIF fits many macs, so if you were to change systems or sell it, you have a much wider selection of systems it will work in)

The 7200 with the $499 G3/400 upgrade would still be locked in to sole source upgrades in the future, while costing just as much. The advatage is that you would not have to spend the time/effort to move over your ram, drives, etc. to the 7500 case. And since the 7200 CPU upgrade runs from a PCI bus (33MHz), it's likely that may be somewhat of a performance limiter in some applications compared to using the faster system bus of the CPU card slot upgrades.

Cost Comparison:

• Sonnet G3/400 7200 CPU upgrade: $499 (list)
  versus
  
• OWC Stripped 7500 (base): $157.95 (listed here)
• OWC CarrierZIF + G3/400 ZIF bundle: $299 (listed here)
  Total: $456.95 (7500 base + CarrierZIF G4/400)

As mentioned, OWC notes free shipping on orders over $250. (Fed Ex delivery for $5 anywhere in the states for any BTO system ordered OWC said.)

This is just one example of the point I was trying to make and hope it can help prevent readers from locking themselves into limited upgrade options. OWC's BTO page also has other Mac models like the 8500.

(Just as I was posting this a reader wrote about another pre-G3 Mac system (refurbished 9600) some may want to consider. - see the next news item.)

" Hi,
Egghead clearance shows refurb PowerMac 9600s for $699.99. Apple PowerMac 9600/233 Mini Tower w/ PPC604 233MHz, 144MB RAM, 4GB HD, 12X CD. I know these used to be in great demand for the six PCI slots. They have a 30-day warranty from Second Wind PCs. Currently shows 30 available.

(Since this is an archived page now remember that this Sale Closes at: Thu Oct 26, 2000 2:26 pm PDT according to their web page.)
http://www.egghead.com/category/inv/00000203/03443920.htm

Thanks,
Travis Ross"

That doesn't sound like a bad deal - esp. with the prices of FPM RAM nowadays. Shipping costs in the USA was estimated at $32.40 (Alaska and Hawaii higher). The page notes no other destinations possible (limited to USA destinations only apparently).

• Info on MediaPlayer v7 Beta
• Download page

See the Info page for full details on audio and video formats supported. (Links will not be valid over time as MS updates the version, etc.)

" Hey, Mike, I have a result that may shed some light on the apparent modem death due to update.

I normally use a USR Sportster 56K via a USB to serial adapter with my B&W because the Apple internal modem is such junk. It has never connected at V.90 speeds with my ISP; it would always try V.90, fail, and back down to V.34 at 28.8 or less.

After applying Firmware Update 2.0 to the Apple modem, I now get V.90 connects at 40K. However, PPP fails to link up after the connection is made, times out, and hangs up. This might be what's really happening to people who think their modem's dead (for all intents and purposes, it looks like it can't make a connection).

To find out what was going on, I dialed my ISP by hand within ZTerm. This should normally result in seeing the ISP's login prompt (and it does with the USR modem). With the updated Apple modem, immediately after connecting, the modem spews several kilobytes of garbage characters to the screen. Sometimes, after the garbage chars stop, I can get the ISP login prompt by hitting return a couple times, log in, and observe the ISP's port server try to initiate a PPP session. But sooner or later the modem will always spew another batch of garbage characters.

So it would appear that my modem is still alive and well, and even has enhancements of a sort (after all it could never train up at V.90 before). Despite that, it's now essentially useless.

One thing I haven't tried yet is use of the Apple modem script which forces V.34 instead of V.90. My guess is that the modem will still work OK at V.34 speeds (33.6 or less).
Tim S."

See the Modem Update 2.0 feedback reports in today's and yesterday's news for the reader reports of failures after the update.

To see if the flash update actually completed, see this Apple TIL noted in yesterday's TIL updates listing - Apple Modem Updater: Confirming Installation.

" Mike:
Several weeks ago I posted my experiences installing an IBM TravelStar 20 GB HD in my Mac PB G3 Wallstreet 2 to your Hard Drive Compatibility Database. I commented that despite an otherwise very satisfactory outcome, I had problems with the PB falling into a swoon after an hour or so of sleep, from which it could only be awakened by removing/reinserting the drive in the accessory bay. I followed your suggestion to try APM Tuner, but that didn't help, and IBM Tech Service was less than helpful ("To be honest, Apple would better be able to assist you..." yeah, right!).

I finally decided that perhaps the Power Manager had not properly recognized the new hardware, so I reset it several times in a row and suddenly the problem went away. I haven't tried any sleep times greater than about 18 hours, but my PB seems to be behaving normally again.

You might want to add this as an addendum to my original report in case others have a similar problem. Thanks again for maintaining a great site for those of us who like to tinker with our Macs to get the most out of them.
Regards, Jim "

I've added this update to Jim's original database entry (listed under PB G3 Wallstreet 2 category).

For other PB hard drive related articles, see the IDE topics page or the PowerBook section of the FAQ. You can search the database for other PowerBook owner reports also.

Yesterday's news also had notes on the APM tuner and the Travelstar's power savings mode and their (PC only) utility for changing the settings.

" Mike,
I installed the modem updater 2.0 in my Wallstreet 300 yesterday. I have consistently connected and stayed connected for two days. This is dramatically different from before I installed the update. I have avoided using my powerbook to log on since I got it because it would take many attempts to get and hold a connection. I would often get a connection and then lose it on the second page I tried to load. It could then take as many as a dozen attempts to hold it long enough to get through the authentication stage.

I have gotten speeds that are sometimes as high as my desktop, which is 44000 to 48000. The highest I've gotten with the powerbook is 44000, which is what its been every time today. I am using the PB G3 Internal string in my modem control panel. Looks like I can forget the stealth serial port I was going to put in it.
Roy Rhodes
Dallas, Tx. "

" I have a wanderfull B&W G3 400 OC @450 with italian System 9.0.4: yesterday I updated the english modem firmware with no problems at all: the modem volume now is louder, connection speed seems faster and I have no more a problem that I always had once or twice a day: random disconnects.

I know I should wait the italian firmware version, but you know ... ;-))
Pasquale "

" I am one of the unfortunate ones. I have a G3 Powerbook (98 Wallstreet 300mhz) running system 9.0.4. When I ran the updater it recognized the modem and proceeded to do the update. It took about 3 minutes for the task bar to reach the end and then everything froze up. I waited at least 15 minutes and was forced to reboot. Now the modem is dead. I can't reflash so I guess it's time to look for another modem. Updaters beware!
Rich Stultz "

" I have a B&W G3/400. I update the internal modem firmware with no problems. I usually connect at 48000 before and after the update. I don't really notice any difference.
Feng Hu "

" Mike
great site as usuall. Have been following the modem update with interest and found this apple til article ( # 58175 )it tells you how to check if you installed the update properly thanks for a great site
RUSS "

That TIL was also linked in yesterday's Apple TILs listing. ( Apple Modem Updater: Confirming Installation)

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

Other Modem Related Links Here:

• Yesterday's news also had reader reports on the update.
• 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

Combo DVD/CDRW Drives:
• Toshiba IDE SD-R1002 in B&W G3
  
  CDRW Drives:
• Plextor IDE 12x10x32A in B&W G3
  (notes using Toast reader only, not apple cd/dvd extension)
  
  CDROM Drives:
• IDE LG CRD8480C in Beige G3
  (under "other" brand listing, problems noted)
• SCSI Plextor 32x in 9x00
  (didn't note if mac was 9500 or 9600)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IBM IDE 75GXP 15GB in B&W G3 with PCI IDE card
• Maxtor DiamondMax 80GB in ADS Pyro Firewire case
• Maxtor DiamondMax 80GB (x2) in G4/AGP
• Maxtor DiamondMax 80GB in G4/AGP
  (noted it works well for DV use)
• Maxtor DiamondMax 80GB in iMac (1999 DV SE)
• Maxtor DiamondMax 15GB in Performa (6200CD)
• Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 40GB in B&W G3 rev 2
• Quantum IDE Fireball ST 4GB in Performa (5200CD)
• Seagate SCSI ST15150N 4GB in 9500

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 Beige (rated 7)
• Powerlogix G3/360 (?) in 7300/180 (rated 10)
• Sonnet G3/266 in 8100/100 (rated 8)

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. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand)

Software Updates:

• Team ASA Gigabit Drivers (direct download link)
• ACTION Files v1.5.4
• Igniter 3.0.4 (direct download link)
• Fuse 2.0 (direct download link)
• Adobe Type Manager Deluxe (ATM) 4.6.1 (direct download link)
• Adobe Type Manager Light (ATM) 4.6.1 (direct download link)
• Formac ProFormance 3 ROM v2.5.1
• Windows Media Player 7.0.0.1019 beta (direct download link)
• Apple CarbonLib SDK 1.1f2

Apple TILs:
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet): Technical Specifications
• Energy Saving Control Panels: Description & Compatibility
• System Enablers: Current Versions & Change History
• PowerBook Software: Frequently Asked Questions
• Power Mac G4 Cube: Random Activation of the Power Button