VST also recommends using Apple Firewire drivers v2.5 or later (new macs ship with v2.6). I ran some tests with the drive after the update (ATTO and VST's R/W benchmark). Scores seemed a bit lower than before, but then this 12GB drive has only 2GB of free space left, which affects performance.

For obsolete/unsupported CPU cards, it may be better to use free Cache Control utilities like Powerlogix.com's Cache Profiler, which should work fine and is more up-to-date than those from companies that are now out of business. The FAQ is the bold/red "Got Questions? Click here for answers" link under the logo/page topics links here and is organized by subject. I get over 50 mails a day that are already answered in the FAQ or the reviews/articles linked here. (The Systems, CPU Upgrades, Video cards, SCSI, Firewire and IDE pages are organized pretty well now, so if the FAQ does not answer your question, check the page here of articles/reviews that deals with your question's topic.)

" So far as I can tell the main issue is that the cheapest 256MB and 512MB DIMMs use the new high-density 256-megabit SDRAM chips instead of 128 megabit chips. Older memory controllers don't know how to address 256 megabit chips. The usual symptom of this problem is that the memory works fine, but only half of it is visible to the system.

Apple's Core99 chipset (used in all Macs with AGP video) does support 256 megabit SDRAM, so the really cheap memory should work in them, with the usual caveats that apply to bottom-of-the-barrel commodity memory. All older Macs are out of luck though.

Larry of OWC commented that single bank 256MB / 512MB DIMMs don't work in Macs. I suspect he's right for 512MB but not 256MB. There are three common ways to organize 256 megabit memory chips: 64Mx4, 32Mx8, and 16Mx16. 64Mx4 is used to build a single-bank 512MB DIMM, and has an addressing quirk which I could understand not being supported in Core99. 32Mx8 is used to build 2-bank 512MB DIMMs and 1-bank 256MB DIMMs; if OWC practices what Larry preaches their 512MB DIMM must be a 2-bank DIMM built with 32Mx8 chips. If a particular chip works in a 2-bank configuration it will work in a 1-bank configuration too (Core99 definitely supports 1-bank DIMMs, otherwise a huge number of 64MB and 128MB DIMMs would not function). So 1-bank 256MB DIMMs should work in the same list of systems as OWC's 2-bank 512MB DIMMs, generic or not.

In my opinion the reason to avoid the super cheap generic stuff from online vendors is quality. No-name chips (really the castoffs from a brand name mfr, sold to some other company because they weren't good enough to be sold under the main brand), 4-layer instead of 6-layer PCBs, etc. The PCB design and quality can be real important in Macs with 4 DIMM slots. Generic memory can work just great, but it definitely has increased risk of DOA or flaky operation.
Tim Seufert "

I bought two OWC 512MB dimms for my G4/500 Dual Processor system. No problems seen with them but I've not owned any other 512MB dimms. As with any generic RAM, it's impossible to tell before buying what the quality is and since stock (and their source of supply) can change even daily depending on sales volume, you could get a different dimm on each order from any source (other than direct sales from mfrs. like Crucial, etc.).

" Since you are mentioning RAM prices on generics, I thought it would be good to pass the G4 specs. along. http://til.info.apple.com/techinfo.nsf/artnum/n58434
------------------------------------------------
Memory

* 64MB, 128MB, or 256MB of PC100 SDRAM (3.3-volt, unbuffered, 64-bit-wide, 168-pin, running at 100 MHz)
* four DIMM slots support up to 1.5GB of PC100 SDRAM (999MB maximum per application program) using the following DIMMs:
* 128MB or 256MB DIMMs (64-bit-wide, 128-Mbit technology)
* 512MB DIMMs (64-bit-wide, 256-Mbit technology)
--------------------------------------------------

...-Ryan Tanaka "

The FAQ's Memory section also has info on RAM compatibility and links to Apple TILs (including ones on Apple G3 (Beige) RAM specs).

CDRW Drives:
• EZQuest Firewire (Plextor) 12/10/32
• IDE HP 9300i in G4/AGP
• USB HP CD-Writer Plus 8200 with G4/AGP
  (problems noted)
• Que Firewire 12/10/32 w/B&W G3
  
  Hard Drives:
• IBM IDE TravelStar 20GB in PB G3 Wallstreet1
  (notes waking from sleep problem I have not seen with my PB G3/250 wallstreet, used for the PB G3 HD upgrade guide)
• Seagate SCSI 18XL (narrow SCSI 50 Pin) 18GB in 7300
• Seagate IDE Barracuda II 30GB in MacAlly Firewire case
  (select firewire as the interface type to see reports of IDE drives in Firewire cases)

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.

• Newer Tech G4/500 ZIF in (Yikes) G4/PCI (rated 9)
• Powerlogix BlueChip PB G3/466 Upgrade in Wallstreet1 (rated 10)
• Sonnet G3/400 in 6500/250 (rated 9)
• Sonnet G3/400 in 7500/100 (rated 9)
• Sonnet G3/500 in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  
  
• Beige G3/300 OC report (long term)

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)

Software Updates:

• ShowDrives 1.0 (OS X) (utility that displays local drives and trash can on desktop)
• SimpleImageX pr3 (OS X) (media viewing, cataloging and slide show application)
• scouter 1.0b3 (finds files/video/images on the net)
• Apple CarbonLib SDK v1.1f3
• VST FireWire Updater v2.2.2 (direct download link - stalling/failing for me tonight)
• IPNetMonitor v2.5c4 (direct download link)

Apple TILs:

• Apple DVD Player 1.0: Limited to Region 1 DVD-Video Discs
• Open Transport: Error Codes
• Toner Cartridge Recycling Instructions
• 10BASE-T: Specifications and Configurations
• Ethernet: Crossover Cable Pin Out