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Mac OS 8 third party compatibility list updates

CD-Speedster version 1.0 Ryan Stinnett reports: "CD-Speedster version 1.0 is incompatible with Mac OS 8 according to Syncronys Softcorp. the creator of the software. The software installer gives an error saying that system 7.0 or greater is required if you try to install the software. The software itself also contains several incompatibilities. They on working on a solution. A patch may be available later."

Momentum "Port" products Momentum Tech Support writes: "We are currently not 'officially' supporting Mac OS 8. Momentum will begin testing it on all four Port Jugglers and the … Read more

PowerBook 1400 and swapping batteries while sleeping

The press on the PowerBook 1400 implies that there is an internal backup battery which provides several minutes of power for a main battery swap while in sleep mode. However, Sam Pappal writes that this did not work for him: "My unit will freeze when waking after just a momentary removal of the battery (in sleep mode). Apple tech support told me that they now recommend swapping batteries only when shut down."

NT Server List View glitch confirmed by most; exists in other servers as well

Several readers confirmed the List View problem when viewing files from an NT server ( as described last time). Readers also said it occurred in some other server environments, such as Linux. A few work-arounds were suggested (though I suspect they are not cure-alls for everyone who has this problem):

a. Chris Ferebee: "We removed all non-Mac files from our Mac directories, and haven't seen the problem since."

b. Manny Veloso: "Turning off View Options' 'Keep Arranged' option fixed the problem."

Desktop Pictures problems: a follow-up

Regarding our previous report of problems with Mac OS 8's Desktop Pictures, I continue to get further reports of causes and cures. Here's a sampling:

a. Now Startup Manager Previous reports implicated Conflict Catcher 3 as a cause of problems. Now Startup Manager may be similarly implicated. Bruce Mittelman found Now Startup Manager prevented the loading of Desktop Pictures control panel - and suggested it was because Desktop Pictures uses the new "APPC" file type, rather than the older "cdev" type. Steve Johnson similarly reported that Now Startup Manager caused problems with Desktop Pictures … Read more

Odds & Ends

Floppy Fix early reports Three readers have now reported that the new Floppy Fix patch, installed on an appropriate Mac model, had no effect on their floppy mounting speed. However, several readers have since reported success with the Fix. Stay tuned as I try to sort all this out. Craig Cox had to restart twice before the extension had any effect.

Update: Michael Harrison found that the Fix fixed floppy drive problems he was having on his 540c, even though this is not one of the models listed as supporting this Fix. Similarly, Albert Lilly said the Fix also helped … Read more

Mac OS 8 and Performas: startup failures, delays and other problems

Startup failures and related problems A thread on Apple's Performa Discussion Board covers avariety of odd problems with OS 8 mainly with the Performa 6400. Some of this appears to relate to the cold start problem described here before - especially the problem with the "unfixable node error and loss of the hard drive information." However, it looks like there is more going on in some cases. Other reports indicate very slow response times and files disappearing from the drive. (Thanks, Larry Kahan.)

Startup delays In Mac OS 7.6.1, there were reports of unusual startup … Read more

QuickTime Plug-in 1.1.1 is out

A beta version of the QuickTime Plug-in 1.1.1 for Macintosh is available for download (Thanks, DANBO at the Mac Treasure Tracing Club). This version fixes two problems that arose with the 1.1 Plug-in and Netscape Communicator 4.0:

a. Hidden movies (e.g., background sound files) would not play anymore.

b. In some conditions, files embedded from a local disk (a file:/// based URL) would not load.

Apple has removed it from its QuickTime seed site for the moment (due to server overload), but you can get it from the MRP.

CD-ROM ToolKit Patch; Finder quitting in Mac OS 8 issue raised

There is a new patch for CD-ROM ToolKit that fixes a Mac OS 8 bug that only affects 68040 based Macs. See the FWB web page for more details, which notes that the cause of the problem seems to be a Finder bug. When the bug attacks..."the System usually attempts to restart the Finder. There have been reports of similar problems with other software, so we hope this problem will be fixed in the 8.0.1 release of the Mac OS."

My mailbag and your email

Have you been wondering why you never received an answer to that email message you sent me? It's not that your email is being ignored. It's just that I am more than a bit swamped at the moment. Click here for a more detailed explanation of my current mailbag situation.