Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

News

Apple Displays software: a follow-up

Previously, I commented that no bug fixes were listed in the Read Me file for the new Apple Displays 1.5.5 software. True. However, reader Ken Martin writes: "I have had problems keeping my CD set to playthrough after a restart. The problem is now fixed with Apple Displays."

By the way, another reader notes that if you have Energy Saver 2.x disabled when you install Apple Displays, it may incorrectly install Energy Saver 1.1. This problem existed with the AppleVision software as well.

More "Disk is full" errors

Readers continue to send in cases where a "Disk is Full" message appears even though the disk is not full ( see previous item).

Claris Impact Frederick Dick got this message when trying to use Claris Impact to save files to his hard drive. He claims that reinstalling MacLinkPlus and trashing its Preferences file somehow fixed the problem.

Internet Explorer Pascal Meunier writes that: "In Mac OS 8, Internet Explorer 3.01a gives a "Disk is full" error when downloading a file larger than 5 MB. The same download worked when he used Fetch.

Could the GV PC card firmware update trash Newer's Ethernet card?

Reader Ian Blackburn writes that his Newer PB10 Ethernet card (for his PowerBook 1400) inexplicably stopped working one day. The PowerBook would no longer even recognize the presence of the card. When he called Newer Tech Support about it, they surmised that "it had shorted out against the metal shield that fit over the card slot, which had happened to a number of other PB10 cards." They sent him a replacement. It worked for awhile, and then this replacement card also failed. Newer sent him yet another replacement. This one is working fine for now.

Although he cannot … Read more

Dayna Internet Station ftp problem

Steve Stoeber notes that he had problems getting a reliable connection for data transfers with a Dayna Internet Station, particularly when using ftp. He eventually got a confirmation of this from Dayna tech support: "There is an existing issue with our Internet Station and ftp. It doesn't work at this time. We are aware of it, and we are working on it. The issue should be resolved by Jan 1, 1998. We apologize for this issue."

LaserWriter driver 8.5.1

LaserWriter driver 8.5.1 has gone golden master and should have a public release very soon. I expect we will be hearing a lot about this new driver, especially as to whether or not it fixesvarious problems previously reported for the LaserWriter 8.4.x driver.

Meanwhile, Apple has released 4 Technotes on the new driver. Much of it is probably more technical than most people would care to know, but some useful end user nuggets can be found, especially in the first one.

For example, LaserWriter 8.5.1 includes Desktop Printer Utility, which can be used independent … Read more

StuffIt 4.5 Magic Menu "not registered" glitch; and a possible work-around

Aladdin has confirmed a problem with the Magic Menu component of StuffIt Deluxe 4.5. Michael Bradley wrote to them: "At startup I get a message saying the compression plugin did not load because "Magic Menu CM Plugin is not registered.'" Aladdin replied: "We have become aware of a problem with the Magic Menu Contextual Menu. At this time, we do not have a solution." (Patrick Reilly also reported this bug.)

Update: Reader Neil Meyers writes: "Install SD 4.5 on another disk (such as a Zip cartridge), and copy the Magic Menu CMM … Read more

Netscape Communicator 4.0.4 may crash on launch; deleting Preferences file may help

Netscape Communicator 4.0.4 is out. (Thanks, Version Tracker.) And it appears that it there may be a serious problem with it, at least for some users. Three readers have already reported that Netscape Communicator crashes on launch whereas the previous 4.0.3 version did not. Thomas L. Ferrell and Stephen Stitle both report a "unmapped memory exception" crash or a freeze on their Power Macs that occurs as Communicator is reading its preferences. Mark Mason writes that he gets a Type 1 error on his LC-040 when launching Communicator. (I know that not everyone has … Read more

Odds & Ends

Where to get FileGuard Michael Assumma, of ASD Software, notes that North American users should go to the ASD web site, not the Highware one, to get the latest update to FileGuard (3.0.8).

Apple TIL file on Ofoto A new TIL file on Ofoto and Mac OS 8 compatibility problems details this already well-documented issue. Still, it was a pleasant surprise to see that the article specifically mentioned MacFixIt - and the OS8foto fix available here.

Apple TIL on G3 and StyleWriters Another new TIL file reports that Apple's new G3 Macs are incompatible with Apple's … Read more

New Epson drivers: Errors, freezes and crashes

Last Monday, we reported on the release of several updated versions of printer drivers for Epson printers. We have since received several reports of errors, freezees and crashes associated with using them. Here are the details:

a. Type 2 errors in Netscape Kurt Wiley reports that the Chooser extension portion of Epson 800 driver update, after being assigned to the printer port, caused a Type 2 error when he launched Netscape Communicator 4.0.3. Theo Maschus confirmed this. Drew Wong had a similar crash with the Epson 600 driver update.

b. Conflict with FileMaker Curt McAloney reports that, after … Read more

Odds & Ends

The Apple Store According to a press release, Apple's new online store sold a half million dollars worth of goods in its first 12 hours. Congratulations. Overall reaction to Apple's Monday announcements is mixed. However, MacWEEK's assessment is mostly positive.

SDRAM info On the MRP today, Eric Belsley has detailed information on the new SDRAM used in the G3 Macs. Of particular interest, he notes that a statement on Apple's web site, that implies that you will need twice as much SDRAM as you now need, is simply wrong.

Qualcomm buys Now On Monday, Qualcomm (makes … Read more