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Problem with Enhanced CDs stopping: an explanation

Several readers wrote me with the explanation for this enhanced CD problem ( as reported last time). Essentially, since the enhanced CD has both an audio and an HFS portion, any time you try to access the HFS portion (as will happen automatically if you do something such as use the Open or Save As command of any application), the audio portion will stop as the drive head moves to the HFS portion of the disk.

An engineer from Apple confirmed this and added: "Apple does know of the problem, and several people are toying with work-arounds."

Performa 6400 and 6500 monitor ghosting: a statement from Apple

Regarding the issue of "ghosting" on certain monitors connected to Performa 6400s ( as reported here previously) and other video issues with the Power Macintosh 6500 ( as also reported here previously), Randy Smischny alerted me to the following statement from Apple, as posted to the Performa Discussion Board on Friday:

"Apple does not have any plans to recall either the Power Macintosh 6500 or Performa 6400 series computers. As far as the Power Macintosh 6500 blurry issue is concerned, Apple is aware of the issue and is investigating possible resolutions.

Even though the symptoms may appear to be … Read more

Apple issues Tech Info Library file on RAM disk shut down problem

follow-ups Last time, I briefly mentioned a report that claimed that PowerBook 1400's with the Newer's NUpwr 183 accelerator installed may freeze when shutting down.

Chris Harmon (of Newer Technology Tech Support) replied to this and claimed that the problem is not specific to the Newer accelerator nor the 1400. Instead, it is simply a case of the more general shut down freezes that may occur on many Mac configurations (such as the RAM disk related one mentioned above).

However, I also received the following from Bryan Goldstein (of the PowerBook Memory Source): "In regards to 'restart' … Read more

Apple issues Tech Info Library file on RAM disk shut down problem

In another Mac OS 7.6.1 problem we covered here before, some shut down freezes when running Mac OS 7.6.1 were traced to the presence of a RAM disk. Apple acknowledged the problem, initially saying it was restricted to 680X0 computers. However, according to a new TIL file (also posted in the May 9 Info Alley), Apple no longer claims this restriction specifically. It also says that there will be no fix for this until Mac OS 8. "In the meantime, downgrading to Mac OS 7.6 will resolve this."

However, a reader has sent … Read more

Apple releases work-around fix for L2 Cache problem on 5500/6500 Macs running System 7.5.5

Old news: The 54xx/64xx L2 Cache Reset extension fixes the L2 cache problem on Alchemy based Macs running Mac OS 7.6.1 and Macs with the 54xx/64xx Update extension installed running Mac OS 7.6 ( as previously covered here).

New news: However, another related problem is now reported on an Apple web page: "The Power Macintosh 5500/225, 6500/225 and 6500/250 computers include an L2 cache module which improves your overall system performance. Apple is investigating an issue with some L2 cache modules on the Power Macintosh 5500/225 6500/225 and 6500/250 … Read more

Apple releases fix for AppleVision resolution loss problem in 7.6.1

The AppleVision 1710 and 1710AV loss of resolution problem ( as described here previously) has been fixed via a Display Enabler 2.2.2 update (note the space at the beginning and the end of the file name). Details and download information is on an Apple web page.

Who should install this fix: Customers with Power Macintosh 6100AV, 7100AV, or 8100AV computers, running U.S. English Mac OS 7.6.1, with an AppleVision display connected to the AV Display connector. It can be used with AppleVision software versions 1.0.2, 1.5.1, and 1.5.2, although upgrading … Read more

a. Foam for 3400; shut down freeze on 1400/183?

Apple now has a part number for the foam strip needed to remedy the RAM unseating problem in the PowerBook 3400: "922-3103 Gasket, foam, keyboard, PKG/4 $0.90" (spotted on O'Grady's PowerPage). O'Grady also covers a shut down freeze in Mac OS 7.6.1 that seems to be specific to PowerBook 1400's that have been upgraded with Newer's 183MHz accelerator.

b. LaserWriter crash According to an Adobe tech support document: When you select the Apple LaserWriter 8.4.x printer driver and then click Setup in the Chooser, a Type 11 … Read more

Week-end Updates & Web Sites

a. SmoothType 1.2 is now available. According to author Greg Landweber, it is an order of magnitude faster and uses about one third as much RAM as previous version.

b. Finder Windows 1.2.2 fixes a few bugs in Finder Windows 1.2.1. It includes all the features of version 1.2.1, such as an optional menu icon, an optional startup icon, menu shortcut customization, and balloon help. It also alphabetizes the list of windows in the menu and reduces the size of the startup code by almost 20%.

c. OT/PPP Strip 1.0 is … Read more

Enhanced CD stops playing?

According to Ronald Guest, Apple has confirmed (on the Desktop Computers Discussion board) a problem with Enhanced CDs (ones that have both CD-ROM and CD audio data): they may suddenly stop playing, just as if you had hit the Player's Stop button. No fix information was posted.

More help for sound volume adjustments

a. Volume Adjusters Previously, I mentioned a couple of utilities that might help with sound volume problems. Awhile back, reader Jim Gibbs sent me another potential solution: a collection of mini-applications that each adjust the sound volume to a specific level. By placing the appropriate one in your Startup Items or Shutdown Items folders, you should be able to achieve your desired setting, despite any inherent "bugs in the system." Click here to download these Volume Adjusters [50K].

b. MacSpeakerSwitch Julian Vrieslander modified the MuteOff utility (mentioned Wednesday) so that it functions as a toggle: the mute state … Read more