"I have installed Sheep Shaver on an Intel Mac Pro 2.66 GHz Dual-Core.
I had some initial problems like everyone else in trying to find a suitable 9.0.4 installer. But this is what I was able to do. I had an early Power Mac G4 Software Restore CD, version 691-2740-A. This has the SSW version 9.0.4. I followed the Sheep Shaver GUI instructions on the Sheep Shaver site. Make sure and create a volume that's a minimum of 500 MB in size. Sheep Shaver will boot using the G4 Software Restore CD. The only problem is that the software restore installer will not run because it does not recognize the Intel Mac as G4 hardware. So this is what I did as a work around:

Once Sheep Shaver has booted from the G4 Software Restore CD, double click on the CD and open the "Configurations" folder. Copy the "Power Mac G4 HD.img" file to the OS 9 desktop.

Now launch the "Disk Copy" utility found within the "Utilities" folder on the G4 Software Restore CD. Drag and drop the disk image onto Disk Copy window to mount the contents. Once the "Macintosh HD" contents have been mounted, select all the contents of the mounted volume and copy them to the 500 MB volume that was created through the Sheep Shaver GUI. This will give you a clean and "Blessed" system folder and system applications.

Now quit Disk Copy and go the the Apple menu. Launch the "Startup Disk" control panel and select the 500 MB volume to be the startup disk. Close the control panel and click on the "Special" file menu and restart OS 9.

I have successfully installed and ran Quark 4, Freehand 8, Suitcase 9 among other apps. Runs a bit slow but does the trick. I have also been able to access files on my Intel by connecting to it through the Chooser. Click on the "AppleShare" icon. Click on the "Server IP Address" button and enter the Intel Macs IP address. This will mount the Intel Mac internal HD onto the OS 9 desktop as a shared volume and you will be able to see and copy all your files.
-Alex"

I've added this to the previous page of Feedback/Tips on Sheep Shaver for Intel Macs. (Previous reports, tips, install guides, etc. there.)

" Mira version 1.2: The Apple Remote for every Mac
If your Mac has USB and supports Mac OS 10.4, find yourself an Apple Remote, a supported IR receiver and download mira.
mira is designed exclusively for the Apple Remote, taking it beyond Front Row with personal control for any application, on any Mac. If you know how to use your favorite applications with a mouse and keyboard, you can make them work with the Apple Remote.
New release highlights (see here for full feature list)

Use the Apple Remote with any Mac! (G3, G4, G5, MacBook, mini, etc...)

Supports external USB IR Receivers

Comes with default profiles/settings for over 40 applications

Import and Export profiles to share with others on the internet
Twisted Melon has added support for USB IR receivers directly into mira in a way that will support additional hardware in the future. This release supports our new Manta TR1 Transceiver (available from the Twisted Melon online shop) as well as all eHome 2005 (Media Center Edition) receivers and transceivers.
Requirements: Mac with USB and Mac OS X 10.4+ (Universal binary, fully supports Apple built-in IR receiver and USB receivers)
Price: mira: USD $16, Manta TR1: $20 (both for $32) available from http://twistedmelon.com "

" Genuine Apple (ROM) DVR-109 16X DVD SuperDrives w/Dual-Layer now $32.99
Add new burn capabilities and/or burn DVDs and DVDs faster by replacing your current optical drive with a GENIUNE Apple Rom/Apple Logo Pioneer DVR-109 SuperDrive burner. Burns(and reads) DVDs at up to 16X, DVD Dual-Layer 8.5GB at up to 6X, CDs at up to 40X!
Note: Configured for use in any PowerMac G4, PowerMac G5, Mac Pro Quad Xeon, iMac G4, or eMac G4 Model. Is not equipped with bezel that may be required for use in other computer models for external application.
Apple DVR-109AB Superdrive 'bare' BRAND NEW, NEVER USED! - $32.99
Or available in Bundles with media and software options including iLife, Retrospect, and Dragonburn from $37.99.
UPS Ground Delivery available for $4.50 or less (Continental US only); 2nd Day Air for $7.95.

New On-the-Go USB 2.0 Solution pricing from $99.00
Offering up to 120GBs of storage and weighing less than 12 ounces, these OWC Mercury On-The-Go USB 2.0 solutions offer a lot of data portability in a small package. Ruggedly built with shock protection and utilizing the best HD mechanisms, these solutions go where you need them and are great for Audio/Video, Backup, Music, and more!
Solutions standard bus power off available powered USB 1.1 or 2.0 port and include USB Connecting Cable, EMC/Dantz Retrospect, Intech HD Speedtools utility suite, Carrying Case, and a 1 Year OWC Warranty.
New OWC Mercury 2.5" USB2.0 Portable Solution pricing as follows:
40GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $99.95, now $ 99.00
60GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $114.99, now $109.99
60GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $149.99, now $145.99
80GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $129.99, now $124.99
80GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $189.99, now $169.99
100GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer remains $149.99
100GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $214.99, now $209.99
120GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $179.99, now $159.99
UPS Ground Delivery from only $2.95; 2nd Day Air within the US $7.95 or less."

An owner with a new Mac Pro (arrived recently) said his SMC firmware was already the new version (per apple 1.7f8) and that the VT-x issue wasn't fixed. (Another Mac Pro owner reported yesterday these updates did fix that problem, no longer needing the sleep/wake workaround.)

" The 9/19/2006 Mac Pro firmware update does not seem resolve the VT-x issue for me. I still need to put the machine to sleep to enable VT-x for Parallels, and it's still disabled with Boot Camp (VMWare Workstation 5.5.2 reports 64-bit extensions are not enabled when trying to run a 64-bit guest). According to the firmware update utility the update was successful, it won't allow me to run it again. And the Boot ROM version is updated in the System Profiler. Bummer.
(I asked if he also applied the SMC firmware update, not just the EFI one-Mike)
Thanks for the tip. I installed the firmware update and attempted to install the SMC update, but the installer told me that the SMC update was not required ("This computer does not need this update."). I just tried it again to be sure.
(I asked what SMC firmware version ASP showed he has in case it was a new shipment that already had the latest. Apple noted the new version is 1.7f8 on the download page-Mike)
System Profiler reports SMC Version 1.7f8.
Not sure how I got it, but I did just get my Mac Pro last Thursday.
Boot ROM is MP11.005C.B01 which should be the correct version as well. Very odd, and quite annoying because I really do have a need to run 64-bit guest operating systems in VMWare Workstation 5.5 running under XP SP2 in Boot Camp on the Mac Pro. I can live with sleeping the Mac to make Parallels work better, but I haven't found a suitable workaround for Boot Camp. Sleeping Windows does not have the same effect.

I previously did the slipstreamed install of XP SP2 with the Intel SATA drivers, so I can't tell whether the firmware update had any effect on that (other than it's still working in DMA mode so it didn't break anything).

I also was never able to get the workaround using rEFIt to set the configuration register to work either, so possibly that might have had an adverse effect on my firmware update. Not sure yet.
-Rick "

I thought I remember an early report on rEFIt causing problems with applying firmware updates (from back in the spring IIRC, unless I'm thinking of a different similarly named util and it may have been updated since then).
Here's another Mac Pro owner saying the VT-x issue was fixed by the updates.

" The updates solved my Parallels issues. (a reader last night said these updates fixed the VT-x issue, no longer need to do the sleep/wake workaround.-Mike) Prior to the updates I couldn't get an internet connection working with a virtualized XP, and I no longer receive warnings about Intel Virtualization Technology being supported but inactive. Parallels seems to be running fine now. (there was also a Parallels Desktop update yesterday)
There was a minor issue with IVT that surfaced during a fresh install of XP. It was apparently locked, and was advised to put the Mac Pro to sleep and then reboot the virtual OS. Since doing so, it's been working fine. I haven't yet needed to reuse the sleep/reboot fix.
Sincerely, Vasili B. "

" Just a follow up.. my 23" ACD which I had lots of problems getting to work in Boot Camp (and finally did get to work) no longer does again under this latest firmware update. (I asked if he had applied both the EFI and SMC firmware updates-Mike)
I can't get it to come on at all under Windows, even though it is seen. Only the 20" ACD works.
I am seeing Ultra ATA mode 5 on all SATA drives now, where I was only seeing Multi Word DMA before. I am using the same slipstreamed install as before.
I did apply both updates before testing - the EFI and SMC.
I am using the latest Catalyst drivers (6.3?) from ATI's Website.
Now here's the odd thing: after a while I gave up. I put the 20" on DVI port 2 and the 23" on port 1 as it is my main screen. I resigned myself to using only the 20" in Windows.
I shut the machine off, went back in later to OS X, did some work. I rebooted into Windows one last time to work on something and lo and behold - the 23" started working.
(This is similar to how it started working for me before the firmware update before).
I set up the 23" to be the primary screen in XP, shut down, rebooted into Mac OS X and worked for a while. I then shut down again (it is imperative to completely shut down or neither screen will work for me under XP). I rebooted into Windows, and the 23" screen remained working.
I can't explain it at all. I can't duplicate the exact steps I used to get it working in either case, but at least it is working again.

I noticed no other differences with the new firmware except for the graphics issue and the fixed DMA in Windows/Boot Camp... the fans run the same, etc.
-Paul "

The 23in CInema display/X1900 XT/WinXP no video at Boot issue reminds me of some old (many years ago - OS 9.x era) tips for similar problems with some displays where a tip was to turn the monitor on only after powering up/booting the Mac.

" contrary to Andy the firmware update of the Mac Pro didn't solve the VT-x issue with Parallels. I was hoping it would, but since I updated the EFI I still have the same message until I put the Mac to sleep and back to work.
(I asked if he had also applied the SMC (system mgmt controller) firmware update-Mike)
Not yet... I just discovered in your article that an update was available. I just downloaded it and will apply it as soon as I got back home tonight (in about 5 hours) I'll let you know the outcome.
My Mac Pro is a Quad 3Ghz with 5GB of ram, nvidia 7300 and I run the latest build of Parallels (1898).
-Francois "

If you've updated your Mac Pro and see any pros/cons from these (after applying -both- the EFI and SMC updates), let me know. Thanks.
(I've now created a separate page for Feedback on Mac Pro EFI/SMC Firmware Updates.)

" I just received my 80GB from Apple yesterday. I noticed an odd application on the ipod once I opened the Finder window (see screenshot).

I did a Google search and found that "RavMonE.exe" is a virus. Has any other new iPod users reported the same thing? I've only plugged this iPod into my Mac at home and my Mac at work. Odd.
(From the screenshot he sent (finder files view) there were also some user installed files, so I wonder if the file was copied there when he connected it to a networked machine at work perhaps. There have been cases where a product or CD was shipped with a virus on it, but that's very rare. I asked if it was possible the file was copied to the drive when it was connected to his work network if (as most are), it included PCs. **See update above - apple later confirmed some video ipods shipped with this virus.**-Mike)
I've synced it at home to my Mac (not on a network, no PCs in the house). I enabled disk use, loaded some files and took it to work yesterday. I connected to my work Mac that is connected to a large network (1,500+ PC users) and transferred the files to my work Mac. I did a search on my home Mac for that .exe and didn't find it anywhere. I'm going to do the same at work today.
So I guess it's possible I could have picked it up at work. I kind of remember seeing this file when I first opened my iPod at home and thought it was strange Apple included an .exe file. I guess you may or may not hear from others. Hmmm.
-Steve "

Another reader with a new iPod replied his was 'clean':

" Mike, I got a new 80GB black iPod last Thursday. I have enabled disk usage mode and put some files on there. I didn't see any files like the reader described. I will check again when I get home tonight to make sure, but I'm fairly confident that there weren't any files other than the default instructions/sample contact files. I have only hooked the iPod up to my Dual 1.8 G5.
-ozzy "

Until seeing the later Apple page on this, we thought he may have gotten the virus from his work PC network, but now it's clear some did ship with a virus on it. (I've seen that before with some driver discs and years ago there was a CD bundled with a Mac Magazine that shipped infected, but never with an apple product.)

DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives
• IDE Pioneer DVR-K04L in Mac Mini (OS X 10.4.7)
  (Although OS X 10.4.x has basic iApps burn support for most drives and this one is natively 'apple supported', noted using a Patchburn 4 profile. Note drive is not DVD-R Dual Layer compatible, although it is listed as DVD+R DL compatible.)
  
  Hard Drives
• IDE (SerialATA onboard) Hitachi Travelstar 100GB in MacBook (OS X 10.4.7)
• IDE (SerialATA onboard) Western Digital Raptor 74GB in G5 Tower (OS X 10.4.7)
  (Mentioned problems with drive on onboard SATA, solved by using PCI SATA card)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). The database includes reports on DVD +/-R, CDRWs, Combo DVD-CDRW, DVD-ROM, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, NAS, CF/Smartmedia readers, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, SATA, Firewire, SCSI, USB, adapters).
If you've added a IDE, SATA, Firewire, USB, or SCSI, hard drive, Optical drive/burner, NAS, tape drive, etc., send me the details for adding to the database.

• Disney Film Sales Brisk on iTunes
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