Troubleshooting

FreePPP 2.6a5

For those readers who can't even wait for the first beta version, FreePPP 2.6a5 is now available.

CFM-68K Runtime Enabler: Mac OS 7.6 just says no?

Speaking of the CFM-68K Runtime Enabler, readers familiar with this issue know that Apple recommends not using this software because of potential crashes that can occur. However, according to several reader reports, Mac OS 7.6 goes one step further: it refuses to recognize the file even if you install it. For example, you may get a message saying that CFM is not installed. Essentially, you are blocked from using it even if you want to take the risk. Presumably, 7.6.1 will eliminate this block.

Update: John Bafford points out that you can get the CFM Enabler to … Read more

Platinum PC Card upgrade and "serial port in use" bug: follow-up

Last week, at the end of the item about a new version 2.5.8 of the software for Global Village's Platinum PC Cards and Platinum Pro PC Cards, I noted a reader report that said the upgrade "appears to fix a previously identified OT/PPP 'serial port in use' bug."

This generated a lot of mail. One reader (Jan Rune Holmevik) confirmed this for his PowerPort PC Card in her Powerbook 5300cs running Mac OS 7.6. However, many more readers (including Joel Sass, Dana Rasmussen and David Webb) said that it definitely did not fix … Read more

Coming Attractions: Mac OS 7.6.1 - and more on Bluets & Granola Bars

An anonymous source from within Apple informs me that Mac OS 7.6.1 is under way. Code-named "Ides of Buster," it is planned for a mid-March release. I am just guessing here, but expect it to include the CFM-68K Runtime Enabler fix as well as 7.6 support for the new Macs released today.

This same source says that there is more to the previously mentioned "Bluets and Granola Bars" startup message than has been described so far. Expect to see a Tech Info Library file on this matter any day now. In any case, … Read more

ATM Deluxe and printing problems: follow-up

Regarding my previous query as to whether ATM 4.0 Deluxe fixed printing related problems (especially with LaserWriter 8.4.x) with the version of ATM 4.0 that shipped with Acrobat 3.0: I have received two reports that say that problems remain. Have received nothing to the contrary.

Word 6 crash due to font installed by Office Installer?

Daniel Sharp writes that he was getting crashes every time he launched Word 6 by double-clicking on a Word document icon. Conflict Catcher reported that the crash was caused by the font, Times New Roman, installed by the Office Installer. When he removes the font, the problem goes away. The font does not appear otherwise to be corrupted.

Foreign File Access problem in Mac OS 7.6?; & a note on third-party CD-ROM drives

Two readers have reported getting a message at startup that Foreign File Access will not install, after updating to Mac OS 7.6. Another reader said that his system crashed at startup with this file installed. I have the file installed on two Macs running 7.6 and have seen no sign of this symptom. Still, it appears that there is a problem in some cases.

On a related matter, I have gotten several reports that a feature of the CD-ROM driver included with Mac OS 7.6 - that it works with third party CD-ROM drives - may not … Read more

WorldNet: help switching to OT/PPP

As promised previously, there is now a web page for helping WorldNet users switch from FreePPP to OT/PPP. It's part of their WorldNet User's Reference Desk.

SAM 4.5 problems: some suggestions

I still get reports of problems with SAM 4.5 (a matter covered more extensively here on the Late-Breakers page awhile back). David H Weinlick spoke to Symantec on this matter and got most of the usual suggestions (including moving SAM to the root level of the System Folder). However, he got one new one (at least new to me). He was told to "Never ever turn Intercept on or off using the software itself - only move the extension manually or with Extension Manager. Symantec knows that this is a problem, and they working on a fix." … Read more