Connectix has won a decisive victory in the Sony lawsuit over their Playstation
Emulator. See their press release for more details.
More on OS 9/E100 Powerlogix Novram Fix: Powerlogix sent a note with more
info on their E100 Umax SCSI/Network card enabler and why their fix helped
a reader running OS 9 with an original 604E Umax card (reported earlier this week):
"Mike,
From our software engineer:
If OS9 has a different-sized NVRAM image, the E100 will break. The ROMs
on the E100 are buggy and expect a fixed-size NVRAM image. That's why it
broke with our software (and XLR8's) - we had to enlarge the NVRAM image
to include the SP code."
$282.99 40GB/7200PRM Maxtor (OEM) HDs: Another reader notes a lower price on 40GB Maxtor drives at Egghead than noted earlier today. The earlier $307 price page notes they are retail boxed versions. I suspect the $282.99 price is for OEM/bare drives only. Retail boxed versions usually have PC 5.25" mounting brackets and a UltraDMA/66 cable.
[I removed the earlier post of reader ebay items for sale. As I stated originally, I normally do not list items like this.]
= 12:30PM Update Follows =
$113 Firewire External Drive Enclosure: Chris Higgins sent a note that
he found a Firewire external drive enclosure for $123 at Buy.com. However when I checked the URL, it shows $112.95 (plus shipping) but is listed as backordered. (I've had bad luck with backordered items from buy.com in the past. They told me shipments of this case are due end of this month.)
Chris wondered if this was the same case mentioned in our previous
Firewire to IDE case article and if it worked with PCI Firewire cards. As noted in the update to that article, Maxtor drives don't seem to be compatible (IBM or Quantum drives were recommended).
If anyone has tested one of these external cases with a PCI firewire card please contact me with specifics (system/firewire card/OS version/IDE drive, etc.). If running in a pre-beige G3 system, any info on video capture or playback (dropped frames, etc.) would be good to know.
$307 Maxtor 40GB/7200 RPM (Retail Box) Drives: Todd Bangerter wrote that Egghead has these drives
for $307 with free shipping. Despite their page showing 1-2 weeks delivery, he said he
placed an order on Tuesday and received an email today stating it had shipped.
The Egghead sale page shows these are retail boxed versions.
Cheap iMacs in UK: I'm not totally clear on this one, but Simon Lisney sent the following note on lower cost iMacs in the UK:
"Hi Mike
Sometimes I curse the fact that in non US countries we pay over the odds for
Macs. But not right now. Just picked this info about VERY cheap iMAC 350 (slotting) .
The deal was in a credit card email.
The details are:
2) IMACS FOR ONLY 599.00 (Save over 180 pounds)
From DABS Direct
1 per customer
For these best buys and many more, click on
http://shoppingoffers.egg.com/X?/6452-551332/offers1
I don't think you need an egg card (but lots of Brits do)
It is through Dabs Direct one of the largest Mac resellers here.
They had 44 left the last time I looked.
That is an amazing price considering that 599GBP includes sales tax!
converted at today's exchange rate that makes the price excluding sales tax
as: $803
That's loads cheaper than the cheapest price I could see in the US at
www.imac2day.com. The US Apple store shows $999.
Bear in mind there is also a 5% cash back offer for egg card users then this
makes it: $765.85 !!!
I wonder if this is stock clearance starting for new upgrade as discussed on
various sites. Perhaps not the G4 possible in July! But a general upgrade
to specs. Seems no other reason for such cheap prices...these
were selling well when they first became available.
Certainly a great bargain whatever!
Regards
Simon Lisney"
Yamaha 8X CDR/Toast Support Patch: A reader sent a note that the Toast version included with his new 8X CDR needed a patch to recognize the drive:
"
FYI,
I just got the Yamaha CD-RW being advertised in the blol banner at the
top of your page. I couldn't figure out why toast didn't recognize it as a
CDR. Well, it turns out you need a patch from yamaha. Here's the URL:
http://www.yamahayst.com/Mac8424/YamahaCRW8424.sit
This goes in your toast folder.
Just in case you didn't know...
Mike Willhide
"
I'll add this tip to the FAQ's CDR section for future reference.
Face Intel Site: I have no idea if the info there is true, but there's some shocking
stories on the chip giant at http://www.faceintel.com/. The site logo is titled 'Former and Current Employees Face Intel'. The stories there make Microsoft seem like a good Samaritan... [Update: a reader replied to this post with the following comments:]
"I saw the link to 'Faceintel' and I went to the site, and I must say that I
can't believe it. I had a friend I worked with who used to work at Intel and
he had nothing but a great time. His boss, and his friends from Intel all had
a great time working there, and he is considering going back.
I don't like Intel nor do I really dislike it-- it's just there. I sure hope
that the Faceintel web site is being truthful, and not simply trying to
destroy the public image of a good company (not that it would be good if the
stuff was true, but I think you know what I mean.)
Just my 2cents :)
--Charlie"
Again I have no idea if the FaceIntel site is 100% accurate, but it is disturbing.
Often ex-employees are bitter and don't portray a totally realistic picture
of any company.
Beige/B&W G3 Install Tip: A lot of folks inadvertently reverse the orientation of the heatsink clip when upgrading their CPU. I've repeated this many times here and in the CPU review database entries, FAQ, etc. but several recent mails turned out to be related to this common problem going back to the Beige G3s. The clip has one end with two slots that must be put back on facing the same way as it was originally installed to ensure the clip's 'bend' (pressure point) is over the CPU side of the ZIF module. The clip will install reversed, but CPU temps will rise and often overheat.
For beige G3 owners, the two slot end of the clip should face towards the edge of the motherboard;
for B&W G3s the two slot end is nearest the RAM dimm slots. My past XLR8 G4/400Z review's installation page has photos of this as does the Newer Tech G4/400Z review install page. The clip orientation is also important in Carrier cards as well and is noted in my Illustrated CarrierZIF Setup Guide. The FAQ's Cooling/Temperature section also has notes about this since 1998.
GaugePro Update: Jarod Wilson sent a note that Newer Tech has updated their GaugePro utility
(used in my recent reviews of G4 upgrades). He says the current version fixes the reporting bugs he saw with this 6500 w/Sonnet G3/L2 upgrade. Get the latest GaugePro at Newer's Software Download page.
BTV Video Software Update: BTV ($15 shareware) v3.2.5 is now available. BTV allows anyone with video input hardware to easily view and capture video from any video input source,
either full screen or in a window. The author says it has been successfully tested with a
number of video sources including various video input cards, TV cards,
built-in video hardware, USB and FireWire video sources. For more info on the improvements in v3.2.5, see http://www.btv.org.uk/
Phase 5 Woes: In reply to yesterday's commentary on CPU Upgrade vendor woes, Frank Miedreich wrote that
apparently Phase 5 is also having some problems:
"
Hi Mike,
The German CPU upgrade vendor phase5 apparently has problems too.
http://www.amiga-news.de/archiv/0037.shtml
excerpts a press release (English translation is available)
The phase5 web site is no longer accessible.
cheers, Frank
"
Reader Review Databases Updated: At Noon today I added new entries in the
Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews and Mac Game/Video Card Performance databases. Some entries were missing info and I've mailed the authors for the info to be able to post them. When looking for info on CPU or Video card upgrades search these databases for owner reports, comments and performance ratings.
If you don't check the news here daily, check the summary of past news below for info/articles you may have missed. The recent features page also lists articles posted (most recent first) as does the sidebar links here. The site topics pages (systems, cpu upgrades, etc. - see top and sidebar links on this page) also are places to check as well as the FAQ.
For a blast from the past see what was on the front page news here one year ago.
Other Net News:
Wednesday's News Summary
- Net News: Modem speeds explained, Firewire versions explained,
Epson Announces Firewire Scanner, More Acard ATA/66 tests
- My comments on MacWeek's article on CPU upgrade vendors
- Software Updates: iMovie 1.02, Epson 850Ne & 900N printer firmware updates. Wacom' Intuos OS9/iBook update.
- NAMM Audio Show Roundup Issue #1
- G4 Bezels for SuperDisk/Jaz/ORB/Tape Drives
- More Newer Tech ZIF Switch Settings
- E100 Patch Helps Umax S900 Dual 604 CPU System
- Yikes Overclock & Disk Data Errors
- External DVD-RAM Drive Feedback
- Game News page updated w/Quake3 Mod Tutorials info & a tip for Voodoo2 Beta5 drivers/Pod Racer.
- Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews and Mac Game/Video Card Performance databases updated.
- Latest topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.
Tuesday's News Summary
- G4 iMac?
- Another MS PC USB Keyboard Hack
- PowerLogix Altivec Enabler Update
- IDE Raid First Impressions
- Maxtor 27GB Drive Temps
- E100/PowerForce G3 Beta Enabler
- More LW300/G3 Printing Tips
- More USB Game Controller Tips
- PL Altivec Enabler Update (Beta)
- XLR8 InterView 2.0 Beta Test program.
- Apple releases Carbon SDK 1.0.2
- NEC Mobile quad processor chip uses 1W
- AMD Shows 1.1GHz Athlon
- Reader review searchable databases updated
- Latest topics in Forums.
Monday's News Summary
- Long list of net news stories
- G4 2.8 Revision Shipped in Early January
- Gravis GamePad Pro USB Controllers Tip
- DirecPC USB on VPC 3.0 working
- More Epson Printer AT/Network Drivers
- MS USB Pro Keyboard Feedback
- IBM Working on 3-4GHz Chips
- Quake3 Fortress Mod News
- Z-Force Bus Speed Tip
- Newer Tech 366 ZIF/Carrier Card Settings
- Software Updates/News
- Popular Science OS Poll
- Reader review searchable databases updated
- Latest topics in Forums.
For links to older news pages see the Archives page. The recent features page has a lists reviews/articles you may have missed.
For a guide to finding answers to questions - see my Site Guide page.
Considering a CPU Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. Readers post new entries daily and the database is updated several times a week. The current database has more than 3,200+ reports and growing.
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Answers!