Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

News

Problem selecting the Printer port: one more time

One of the most persistent issues that appears in my mailbag is the problem where a user is unable to select the Printer port for a serial device (the Chooser keeps reverting to the Modem port instead). We have commented on this before and noted Apple's response. It seems worth mentioning again.

Essentially, you cannot use the Printer port for a serial device when AppleTalk is active. Making matters worse, simply turning off AppleTalk from the Chooser is often not enough by itself. You may also have to restart. Apple adds: "However, be aware that using file sharing … Read more

G3 Macs and monitor shut-off: a final follow-up

One (hopefully) final item on the issue of monitors not shutting off when you turn off a G3 Mac ( as discussed here previously):

Regarding Apple's statement that the problem occurs in G3 Macs that have "Outrigger and K1 enclosures," Kevin Purcell writes that these terms were internal code names for the products. Outrigger refers to the desktop case (so named because of the swing out power supply). K1 is the mini-tower case (it's half of a K2 case, such as the one used in the 8600). This implies that the shut-off problem may affect all G3 … Read more

GTE, Claris Emailer and a problem sending email

If you use GTE as your ISP and Claris Emailer as your mail program, note the following:

GTE recently updated their email system. A reader found a problem with the update if you use Emailer 2.x: "To send mail, your 'email account' entry should be set up as <Account Name>@gte.net but to receive mail you have to change it to <Account Name>@mail.gte.net. To work-around this problem I configured 2 GTE accounts within Claris Emailer, GTE[get] and GTE[send], each one configured appropriately to get or receive mail."… Read more

VST Zip drive issues

Slow downs on a 5300 Andreas Kadavanich is using a VST Zip drive expansion bay module with his PowerBook 5300. He finds "severe slowdowns" with the Zip extension installed, especially if TCP/IP is also active. For example, it may take as long as 12 seconds for a keystroke or mouseclick to be registered. VST Tech support acknowledged the problem as follows: "The problem you have reported is just starting to surface. Please try and understand that this is a new product and we are working out the kinks. New extensions are being developed for PowerBook 5300 … Read more

Apple's Emergency Handbook

Apple now has a 50 page troubleshooting guide, called the " Power Macintosh Emergency Handbook." You can download an Acrobat version of it from Apple's ftp site (Thanks, Shiro Wilde). While it is no substitute for Sad Macs (of course!), it is more useful and more detailed than the troubleshooting sections that had been included in the manuals that shipped with most recent Mac models.

Global Village PC Card 3.0.2 Universal Update

Global Village PC Card 3.0.2 Universal Update "allows you to use Global Village PC Cards on machines that support Card and Socket Services 3.0. At this time, these are the PowerBook 2400 and 3400." I assume the G3 PowerBook would now be included here as well.

Mike Silverman notes that the Update did indeed fix the problem he was having with his Global Village PC card modem on a PowerBook 2400c. He had been getting an error message about "PC Card services not being installed." He adds: "In addition to the driver … Read more

PowerLogix G3 cache utilities

PowerLogix has a G3 Cache Control control panel for configuring the backside cache on the PowerForce G3 Processor Card. It also has a separate G3 Cache Utility that works on the Apple Power Mac G3-233 (and possibly the G3-266) backside cache. These utilities can configure the size of the backside cache and the backside cache ratio, providing a possible speed boost. (Thanks, Scott Hinnrichs.)

Emailer password problem: Claris confirms an update is planned and suggests a work-around

Regarding our item last time about a password security leak in Claris Emailer 2.0, David Mollerstuen (Technical Lead for Claris Emailer) replies:

"We're aware of the problem, and have fixed it in an upcoming revision (we hope to release the revision within the next two months). For our truly security conscious patrons, one possible work around is to delete the password from the Account Entry screen; Emailer will prompt for a password the first time you attempt to retrieve mail from the POP account, and then cache the password until the application is terminated."

Free upgrade to Conflict Catcher 4 will fix Mac OS 8.1 conflict

Regarding our item last time on a conflict between Conflict Catcher 4 and the forthcoming Mac OS 8.1., Donald Beirdneau (Executive Vice President for Operations for Casady & Greene) replies:

"Due to changes in Mac OS 8.1, Conflict Catcher 4.0.3 and earlier (including all versions of Conflict Catcher 3) will not be compatible with this update. We are currently finishing testing of Conflict Catcher 4.1 which will address this issue and include several other minor enhancements.

Conflict Catcher 4.1 will work correctly on System 7.0 and later.

We anticipate that the Conflict … Read more