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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

Startup mouse-related freeze: Power Computing issues

Regarding the mouse-related startup freezes, which appear to affect both Apple and Power Computing machines ( as reported here recently): Chris Heatherly (Power Computing Support Communications Coordinator) writes: "We experienced this issue long ago with some mice we used with the PowerWave. Replacing the mouse always has resolved the issue. If customers with PowerWaves are sometimes unable to use their mouse on restart, they should contact Power Technical Assistance for a replacement. A sure way to determine they are experiencing this issue is if they are able to disconnect the mouse and then reconnect it to get it working." … Read more

Another TechTool System Analyze glitch? Perhaps not

TechTool's System Analyze feature apparently continues to have trouble with false alarm reports of System damage. The latest glitch, as described to me by Brian Walls: TechTool 1.1.4 reported that Mac OS 7.6.1 System file was damaged. So Brian did a clean install of Mac OS 7.6 and updated again to 7.6.1. TechTool now reported no damage. However, he next updated to Open Transport to 1.1.2, QuickDraw 3D 1.51 and QuickTime MPEG. After this, TechTool once more reported System file damage.

Update: Several readers report that they have the … Read more

Possible RAM Doubler / GeoPort modem conflict

Tom Schroeder describes a possible conflict between RAM Doubler 2 on a Performa 6360 and the internal GeoPort modem that comes with that Mac (this may also affect some 6400s, as some of them use the same modem). In particular, he often gets a "PPP negotiation failed" error when trying to connect online. Removing RAM Doubler 2 eliminates the problem.

Brian Grove (of Connectix) confirms they are investigating reports such as this one. However, since not every GeoPort modem configuration has this problem, it has been difficult to pinpoint. Brian promises more details if and when they discover … Read more

PC Exchange 2.1.1 problems

Several reports now point to a significant problem with PC Exchange 2.1.1 (as included with Mac OS 7.6 and 7.6.1). In particular, the most common report is an inability for the Mac to access files originally copied to a DOS-formatted floppy disk from a PC (Thanks, David Meimann and Tim Foley). Similarly, Clay Courtney reported that, using PC Exchange 2.1.1 on either a IIsi or and Centris 650, PC text data files from a DOS-formatted floppy disk would not load correctly. In a more serious case of this problem, Todd Wiblin writes that … Read more

More on new CFM-68K/OSL 1.2 crashing bug

The page on PointCast's web site, describing the OSL 1.2. problem ( as mentioned yesterday), now includes the following statement:

"ObjectSupportLib 1.2 installs a CFM-68K 'evnt' gestalt function where the Transition Vector is in the application heap. If two applications link to ObjectSupportLib, quitting the first application but leaving the second running will cause a crash when checking for the 'evnt' gestalt. This problem occurs on all 68K machines in our QA lab. If the gestalt function were in a detached classic 68K code resource (rather than in CFM-68K code) this problem would not occur."

Bottom … Read more