You'd have to allow for the 83Mhz bus speed when selecting the CPU/Bus ratio for the ZIF upgrade. Powerlogix ZIFs usually have a switch as do some Railgun ZIF upgrades. Some XLR8 ZIF models have jumpers for ratio adjustment as well as shown in several reviews on my CPU cards page. Always verify adjustability from the seller of the particular model you're ordering.

The correct ratio setting is determined by: CPU speed/Bus speed = Ratio
Most of the adjustable ZIF manuals have a table listing the correct settings for Beige (66MHz bus) and B&W G3s (100MHz) - so you'd have to take your non-standard 83MHz bus speed into account when selecting a ratio.

For example: you buy a 466MHz rated ZIF for your Beige G3 which you have set to run an 83MHz bus speed. Using the CPU Speed/Bus speed formula we calculate the CPU/Bus ratio:

466MHz CPU/83MHz bus = 5.6xxx

So the closest available ratio setting would be 5.5 (since ratios are in .5x increments).

My CarrierZIF Setup Guide also covers this topic for users of that card. For OEM ZIFs (jumperless) you could do the same thing, but the Apple motherboard jumper settings would have to be set to the proper ratio since those ZIFs have no switches or jumpers on them.

Some (rare) fixed speed ZIF CPU upgrades were designed as 'drop in' (no motherboard jumper setting changes required) and are hard-wired for a fixed ratio assuming a specific bus speed. I hear that Sonnet's future ZIFs may be 'auto-sensing' of the machine's bus clock (at least for standard 66MHz or 100MHz bus speeds). In these cases you would have to revert back to a standard bus speed I suspect if you have changed it previously.

ATI Extends Trade-Up Rebate: John Kornhaus sent a note that according to this ATI Loyalty Program FAQ, the trade-up offer for existing Mac ATI retail card owners has been extended until the end of the year. See their FAQ for full details. This offer was originally noted in my ATI Rage128 FAQ.

Fast G3s/Birmy RIP Tip: CyberCDP sent a note on G3 upgrades and printing with the Birmy RIP:

"I use a Birmy RIP v.4.x with a hardware key (dongle) on this PM7600 to print PS to an Epson Stylus Pro.

It used to work perfectly, but started printing everything with DEMO across the middle recently. (As if the dongle was not connected) The reason is that I upgraded to a 400mhz G3 processor.

There is a fix (not mentioned in the Birmy FAQ) at http://www.birmy.com/SupportMIUp.htm which is a high speed version of the DK8 init (the extension which enables the dongle)
Rock on guys...
P"

Rage128 Pro in some G4s? Simon Lisney sent a note that the (UK) Apple G4/ACD bundle page makes reference to the 'Rage128 Pro' graphics card. The Rage128 Pro was a faster clock speed/enhanced version of the current Rage128 chip that ATI announced back in April. According to that press release the Rage128 Pro offered up to a 50% improvement in 3D performance and support for digital flat panel displays. I've written ATI to verify if the AGP Rage128 in the new G4 systems is indeed the 'Pro' version. [Note - Apple later offered the Rage128Pro AGP card as standard. See the Video articles page, graphics card section for my Rage128PRO vs Rage128 performance comparison.]

More G4 CPU Tech Info: Michiro Isobe sent a note about the stepping of the 400MHz G4 CPU I tested. The PDF file he references shows that the 400 and 450MHz CPUs are running at a higher voltage (often used to allow higher clock speeds) than the 350MHz base model.

"Your G4 card uses the rev. 2.2 of PPC7400 written in the document. MPC7400_G_PNS_990827.pdf
[link may not work in the future]

I don't know whether PowerMac G4 will have the same revision or rev. 2.6. But I think the uses who will have rev. 2.2 G4 is lucky. Because it seems that rev. 2.6 G4 is a factory overclocked one like rev. 2.2 of PPC 604e. Both revisions have higher voltage spec. than original for running at higher frequency.

I think G4/500Mhz will be new revision, and its voltage specification will return to original. Best Regards, Michiro Isobe"

I've ordered a 500MHz G4 system since I also hear the 500MHz G4 will be a new stepping and may have some of the errata (common term used to note CPU chip bugs) fixed that is present in the earlier revision. Note the referenced PDF file says "this part has known functional errata. Contact your local Motorola Sales Office.". Errata is common in most CPUs (especially Intel CPUs). On the PC this is usually addressed via Bios patches that detect the CPU stepping (revision) and apply a patch automatically.

G4 Forum Discussions: The forums have had some discussions on the Sawtooth vs the Sharktooth (future) G4 designs. Sharktooth is rumored to be due in the 2nd Quarter of 2000 and may have more PCI slots and expansion bays. At this point any info on 'Sharktooth' is 100% rumor of course.

Another 3Dfx Interview: Thresh's Firing Squad has an interesting interview with 3Dfx that discusses their future graphics technology against nVidia's recently announced G3Force 256 card. There are also comments on the Apple G4 in later pages of the article. Note that according to a recent interview, nVidia has stated they have no plans for any Mac graphics cards as they are focusing on the PC platform.

PowerBook Multi-LCD: This is some clever artist's idea sent by Jose Azevedo who said a friend indicated was from Apple (it's not). It reminds me of the desktop multi-LCD desktop displays from Mass Multiples I noted in the news here several months ago. [Update - a reader says this image was also shown at the PowerPage last month.]

More on USB/ADB Adapters: As noted here previously, the new Apple G4 systems have no ADB ports and therefore using a USB/ADB adapter is the most common solution (since many vendors don't have USB dongles yet). Ed Roney sent info on one adapter that is known to work:

"I don't have a USB only machine yet, but since I will in the future and currently have ADB dongles, I kept this note from the Electric Image forum on postforum.com:

To all out there who might be struggling to get an imate to work with EIAS 2.9 or EIM 1.0.

After speaking to the really helpful guys at griffin technology, they solved the problem of running the imate on a lombard G3/400 with EIAS & EIM

Use the imate fiddler, which can be found at: www.griffintechnology.com/imac/fiddler_151.sit.hqx
[put] the imate extension 1.51 in the extension folder
Starting from default settings
set the ADOp delay to 64
now try running EIAS or EIM
worked perfectly for me

Thanks to Peter Lish and Paul Griffin for there help. Great customer service from griffin technology BTW

Hopefully this will help those with other dongles like Lightwave and After Effects PB.
Ed Roney "

I've added this info in a new topic area of the FAQ on Apple G4 systems.

MacsOnly has an post on their front page today titled InterCoolers Now Available Outside Japan. The intercooler is a base w/fans for Powerbooks that helps cool those hot bottom surfaces.

EveryMac.com has been updated for complete specs on the new Apple Power Macintosh G4 series and new upgrade cards from Newer, PowerLogix, and XLR8. Their third-anniversary giveaway of an IXMICRO ix3D RoadRocket, an ATI RAGE Orion, and an XLR8 MACh Carrier G3 400 ends next tuesday so if you haven't already signed up, better enter today.

MacOpinon has new articles related to the MacAddict Netscape/IE browser test (contains adult language) and more on the Processor Wars.

BTV Video Utility:

"Announcing BTV, the ultimate video display utility for the Macintosh! BTV version 3.0.0 is THE software to have if your Mac has video digitising hardware.

Features of BTV 3.0.0:
- Full-screen video with no menu bar
- Video in a window which can be dragged around the screen or resized
- Automatic monitor resolution switching to the resolution of your choice (usually 640x480 or 800x600) and back to the original resolution on quit
- Multiple monitor support - play full screen video on one monitor while
you work on another
- Can capture a PICT file, either straight to the desktop with an
automatic file name or through the normal save dialog box
- Can record a movie to disk using custom video and sound settings
- Can black out other monitors on a multi-monitor system
- Can be set to disable background processes so no interference by screensaver or powersaver
- Can hide the mouse (this can be done automatically on startup)
- Can spin down hard disks for less noise (this can be done automatically on startup)

BTV 3.0.0 can be downloaded from the new BTV web site: www.SolutionUK.com/btv/"

Monday's News

Voodoo3 AGP in Sawtooth: My Mac3dfx.com site has a quote from Ken Dyke of 3Dfx indicating that the existing Voodoo3 Mac ROM should work in a Sawtooth (G4) with a PC AGP Voodoo3 card.

Several readers had asked I repeat my SoundJam MP 1.1 Altivec tests without converting from the 24X Apple CDROM drive (covert the file to an AIFF on the hard drive and then run the MP3 encoding tests with the source file on the hard drive). However I get an "Unknown (-223) error" when attempting to convert the audio track to AIFF. I tried increasing RAM allocated to SoundJam but it did not help. I'm running out of time as I have to return the G4 CPU upgrade to XLR8 today.

PhotoShop G4 Plugins: A post in my new G4 Forum has a comment from a reader that I hope is not true:

" I spoke with someone at Adobe yesterday about this. The G4 (i.e., AltiVec) is supported by two plug-ins to Photoshop 5.5. These are currently available only to customers who purchase G4s from Apple; they come bundled with the machine. Adobe has no current plan to make them available for download from its Web site.
Henry B. "

I find it hard to believe that Adobe would not provide these plugins for download to existing owners of PS 5.5. Note they did post a Photoshop 5 update for the PC with Pentium III SSE support so I'd expect they would do the same for the Mac and the G4. I know there are some readers that work for Adobe and welcome their comments. I'm also trying to get verification from Adobe personally.

B&W G3 ROM Flashing: I tried to reflash a 1.0x version of the B&W G3 ROM without success. Using the DropFlash utility (part of OS 8.5.x a reader said) reports that the Grackle flash protection bit is set. Putting the 'G3 Firmware' file in the root of the boot drive and trying the OpenFirmware trick (programmer switch held in, power up, then entering 'Boot HD:G3%20Firmware') results in an error that the file has the wrong client format.

Speaking of the B&W G3 ROM update, Brett Harris says he has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission over the ROM update. Note that previous links here to Apple Forum messages have been deleted readers say but the gist of the support forum response was that the B&W G3s were never marketed as G4 CPU upgradeable. As noted here previously, XLR8 is said to be working on a solution to allow G4 upgrades in these models. [Update - XLR8, Newer Tech, Powerlogix and Sonnet all later offered patches to the B&W G3 firmware to allow a G4 ZIF CPU upgrade to be used in those models. See the G4 CPU Upgrade reviews page for reviews of the XLR8 G4/400Z and Newer Tech G4/450 upgrades that include an install page with more info.]

OWC ZIFs: Although I've not run a full series of tests yet I thought I'd mention that I have run Other World's 350 and 400MHz ZIF modules in the B&W G3s here without problems. I'll pop them into a CarrierZIF card as well for tests in older Macs. These are jumperless ZIFs so you have to change the motherboard jumpers on the Beige and B&W G3s for the ZIFs to run at their rated speeds. The G3-ZONE and Links page have links to articles on motherboard jumper settings (note - by lifting the tape on the jumper block you void the apple warranty). Output Enablers used to sell preconfigured jumper blocks already set for specific CPU speeds. Like any OEM/Apple ZIF, the OWC models can also be used in the CarrierZIF card from XLR8, which has a switch to set bus speeds and bus/cpu ratios on the card (see my CarrierZIF Setup Guide). The Rate Your G3 Upgrade database has reader reports on these modules as well (select 'Other World' as the card brand to see Beige/B&W G3 reports, select 'XLR8 CarrierZIF' as the card brand to see reports using a CarrierZIF card). [Update - a review of the OWC Mercury G3/350 and G3/400 has been posted. See the G3 CPU Upgrade Reviews page for the link.]

G3 Logic Board Upgrades: Chuck Parker sent a note that Nextro (Japanese company) lists a PowerMac G3 Upgrade Service:

"Upgrade your old Mac with the latest Apple PowerMac G3 logic board and PowerPC 750(G3) CPU. Now available for IIcx, IIci, Quadra 700, IIvx, IIvi, Centris 650, Quadra 650. Please contact us for other Mac's. "

No price is mentioned and with Apple's lowering of new G4 systems it may make more sense to just get a new system. I have no info on this company or feedback from anyone that has dealt with them.

ZIF Heatsink Clip Reminder: Several readers have reported temperature problems from having the heatsink retaining clip reversed (this is possible in Beige, B&W and CarrierZIFs). My Setup Guide to the CarrierZIF has pictures and more on this issue and it is also mentioned in the FAQ Cooling section. If the clip is reversed, the pressure point on the clip is not over the CPU part of the ZIF and temperatures will rise.

Mac Voodoo1 Drivers: A reader reported problems downloading the Power3D (Mac Voodoo1 card) drivers. I could access the Techworks page (from my links page) but trying to get the file listed there failed. It may be their FTP site is busy or temporarily down. Some mac game CDs may have the driver (Quake1 for instance) if you select to install the 3Dfx version of Quake (custom install).

Apple's Stock Hits Record High: News.com reported Friday that Apple's stock hit $73.5/share, an alltime high. Last year at this time the stock was as low as 28.5. News.com also reported a company has filed a lawsuit over the OS 9 name.

If you don't check every day's daily news (updated several times a day normally) you might miss something valuable. Check the summary list below for highlights of the last few day's news and the archives page for older new page links. For a blast from the past, read what was on the news page here exactly a year ago.

Weekend's News Summary

• SoundJam MP 1.1 G4/Altivec Tests
• More tech details on the G4 CPU
• Bottom Line weekend reader specials
• XLR8 updates Cache Control Software
• More on Sawtooth CPU Modules (no ROMs on board)
• B&W G3 ROM version Clarification
• Market Consultant says Mac buyers less sophisticated?
• HP site on Nano technology
• MS denies claim of OS backdoor
• Game News page updated
• Mac Game Framerates database updated
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade database updated
• Rate Your Mac Games database

Friday's News Summary

• Crypto expert says MS Windows 9x-2000 has backdoor/MS denies.
• Problem DIMMs: reader report
• PB G3 data corruption TIL
• Altivec Apps: several new programs support G4
• Soundjam MP 1.1 features Altivec support/improvements
• OS 9 & BW G3 ROMs: anon. report says ROM update reqd to install
• nVidia: No Mac Cards Planned (no TNT2/NV10, etc.)
• First Look and tests of the XLR8 G4 upgrade
• Mac Game FPS database updated
• Rate Your Mac Games database updated
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade database updated
• Other Net News

Thursday's News Summary

• Adobe to bundle PShop 5.5 Altivec plugins with Apple G4s
• Arizona Central article on Seybold Keynote
• B&W G3 ROM updater won't flash back older version
• G4 CPU Upgrade tests in B&W G3
• B&W G3 ROM revisions 1.1f1 and 1.1f4 both fail with G4 upgrade
• G4 System Memory Bandwidth details
• G4 FPU performance comments
• G4 vs PIII Poll

For a guide to finding answers to questions - see my Site Guide page.

If you own a G3/300 or faster Mac, you might want to get our PPC Checker utility that will report if your CPU is copper or aluminum based.

Considering a G3 Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The database is being updated daily for new reports. Also make sure you ask your dealer about any issues with your particular mac model as I have gotten several reports of issues with certain G3 upgrades in some Mac models (Mach 5, PowerBase, 7300). I urge any owners that have had problems to report this via the Survey Form. Always give the most weight to recent owner reports (dated in the listing).

-Freq Asked Questions