7/3/09 Friday's News: Last Updated: 3:41 PM ET

Macs | CPU Upgrades | Video | Storage | Audio | Apps/OS/Network | FAQ | Contact
Miss a Day?
See the previous 4 days' news summary or the Archives.

= Recent Articles and Reviews =
AppleTV User Reports page updated - I've updated the Apple TV User Reports/Tips/Mods/Docs page with another reader's report on using it (pros/cons/quirks) fed from his PowerMac 7300 w/G3 400MHz CPU upgrade.
  
Tips for ROES problems after OS X Java Update - (from a reader mail earlier this week)

"This may only apply to photographers but if you are using the ROES (remote order entry system) from a professional lab the latest mac java update (June 16th) seems to have broken things. The app will jump once in the dock but not launch.
The fix involves reloading the application and some labs seem to be aware of it. My lab, Whitehouse Custom Color was able to walk me through it easily. However for non intel or core duo macs the doc icon will still not work. Apple is aware of this and does not have a workaround at this time. A real pain for pro photographers sending their files for printing since most pro labs are using the ROES system.
There is also information at this site: www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=51012
or google roes startup issues and you will find information.
-Barry H."

As a FYI, yesterday's Apple Troubleshooting doc listings included one with tips for OS X 10.5 Mail, Safari, and iChat unexpected quits after installing Java Update 4.
  

Mac CPU Upgrade Reports Database Updated - The Rate Your CPU Upgrade/OC database had another update this morning. Total to date: 10,379. Here's a summary of the addition (Search by upgrade brand, mac model, etc. for a complete list/comments of all user reports on matching criteria - latest first).

  • Sonnet G4 1.6GHz (7447A) in (Gigabit) G4/AGP
    (didn't include rating - have asked him for that)

    (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the G4 upgrade reviews and G3 upgrade reviews pages. Intel-CPU chip swaps (i.e socketed Mac Mini) and OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, send a review with your experience (performance/stability/installation, etc.), Mac Model/Upgrade brand info and overall rating (1= worst to 10=best). If you can, please run some tests with the original CPU vs the upgrade (for example time some tests with your favorite app, game, etc. - see full reviews here for example tests with common apps/games/benchmarks.)
  

Other News/Articles/Reviews, Misc. Software Updates -

  
 

= Thursday's News Follows =

  

'Resetting' Optical Drive in Mid 2009 MacBook Pro to stop noises on boot/wake - An updated Apple doc today on MacBook Pro (Mid 2009): Multiple noises from the optical disc drive on startup or waking from sleep says you can stop the noises by resetting the optical drive:

"Occasionally, you may hear the optical disc drives produce an unusual series of noises when the computer starts up or is woken up from sleep.

Products Affected:
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009)

Resolution:
You can avoid the noise by resetting the optical drive, as in these steps and this video.

  1. Insert a CD or DVD almost all the way into the drive.

  2. Remove the disc.

  3. Insert the disc fully into the optical disc drive.

The optical drive is now reset and the noise should no longer be present when you start up or wake the computer. "

  
More Feedback on 2009 MacBook Pro (SATA speed) Firmware Update - A reply to Monday's news post from a 13in MBP w/WD 500GB Scorpio blue not having any problems with the updated firmware, unlike some reports in the Apple forums:

"2009 MBP EFI 1.7 firmware update report
Apparently, not everyone with the 500GB WD Scorpio Blue 2.5" hard drive is having success with the firmware being installed. Thankfully, I'm having success with mine. However, I reformatted my new drive first before cloning the old drive onto it as well, using Disk Utility. Others seem to have just switched out the drives, reinstalled the OS, and then migrated their settings, applications, etc.
-Manyue"

The mail also included a link to the same apple forum thread I posted in last Friday's news ("Mid-2009 MacBook Pro EFI firmware update 1.7 Problems"), titled Firmware update and SATA II hard drive.
  

Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Doc Updates -

  
Other News/Articles, Misc. Software Updates -

  
Recent Articles and Reviews - Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
  
Previous 4 News Page Summaries:
 
In Case you missed it:

Thursday July 2, 2009


Wednesday July 1, 2009
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Monday June 29, 2009

Click for iPod accessories!


OWC XLR8 SPECIALS!
(see full list)

= 3.5in HARD DRIVES =
1TB SATA HDs from $79, 500GB 7200rpm/16MB cache HDs from $59

= NOTEBOOK HDs =
500GB 7200rpm from $145.49, 500GB 5400rpm from $96.97, 320GB/7200RPM/16MB from $79.89. WD Scorpio PATA 320GB $109.

= MEMORY =
2009 Mac Pro kits, 2008-2006 Mac Pro FBDIMM kits, Upgrades for MacBooks/MacBook Pros/iMacs/Mac Minis!
Also ram for G5, G4 and G3 Macs from under $30!

= OPTICAL DRIVES =
Internal and External Superdrives/Blu-Ray drives.

= VIDEO CARDS/LCDs/TV =
GTX 285 for Mac Pro, Radeon 3870s, LCD Displays, TV tuners and more.

= SOFTWARE =
Prosoft Drive Genius 2 (under $60), Drive Genius 2 + Data Rescue 2 bundle, iWork family pack and more w/big discounts.

= WIRELESS =
802.11N/g/b adapters from under $20!

= CPU UPGRADES =
G4 7448 and G3 1GHz upgrades from under $100

XLR8YourMac.com T-Shirts
Support this site!


FasterMac.net
Internet Access


Mac Help Now!
Freq. Asked Questions
(Check First!)

Mac Model Articles

CPU Upgrade Articles

Video/Card Articles

Storage Articles

Search Mac Drive Upgrades/Compatibility Database

Search the CPU Upgrade Database

Search the
Game/System Perf. Database

Read Game Reviews

= back to www.XLR8YOURMAC.com =

Copyright © , 1997-2009. All Rights Reserved
All brand or product names mentioned here are properties of their respective companies.
Legal: Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.

site design by elroyonline