Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

News

DOS Compatibility card conflicts: a follow-up

a. Adam Wunn reminds me: "The DOS Compatibility Card unimplemented trap problem with Mac OS 7.6 and the DOS Software 1.5 ( mentioned here in March) is a known problem that was fixed in version 1.5.5. However, due to a problem with a component of 1.5.5 (not related to the other problem), 1.5.5 was pulled from Apple's servers with a promise that the error would be fixed and the update would be posted again. That was over a month ago. The update is still not re-posted." However, see the next … Read more

Serial port is busy problem: another follow-up

Regarding recent discussion of the "serial port is busy" problem with Global Village modems on PowerBooks, Derek Briton reminded me of the following additional possible solution, previously posted on O'Grady's PowerPage:

"A contact at Apple found a more reliable work-around for the Global Village/Open Transport PPP bug: 1. Switch TCP/IP to something that doesn't use the modem, such as MacIP or Ethernet 2. Trash ASLM preferences 3. Reboot 4. Switch your TCP/IP settings back to what they were"

Twin Turbo 4.0 driver problems

Several readers report that the newly released 4.0 driver for IMS's Twin Turbo 128 card seems to cause as many problems as it fixes.

Jeff Keller (of PowerWatch, where the Twin Turbo software update is mirrored) writes: The IMS Twin Turbo driver 4.0 is incompatible with the new screen capture features in 7.6 and above. Many others have had problems with Finder graphics (missing letters on files, etc.). Switching back to v.3.8 solves the problems."

Robert M. Hall writes: "Certain PICT resources in applications were being drawn strangely, especially in Spider Island … Read more

Netscape Communicator and memory usage: a follow-up

Regarding the item last time stating that Communicator uses significant System Software memory: After further investigation on my part, I have concluded that this problem occurs mainly when you are not using RAM Doubler or virtual memory. With one of these turned on, the increase in System Software memory is more likely to be one megabyte - not 3Mb or more (although one reader did claim a 6-8Mb increase even with VM turned on).

Steve Dagley, in replying to this item, adds that there should be little addition to System Memory "unless you've got several Communicator windows open … Read more

Post-Week-end Updates

a. Working Software has new Spellswell Super Dictionary for use with Spellswell spelling checkers, including America Online 3.0, Spellswell 7 (which comes with Eudora Pro) and Quarterdeck Mail.

b. IMS's web page now lists a link to version 4.0 of its Twin Turbo driver. Update: Earlier today, when I clicked on it, I got a "File Not Found" error. It reportedly now works. If you use Netscape, Paul Cheng recommends using the Option-Click technique (when selecting the link) to ensure a successful download.

c. NetFinder 1.1.2 is now out.

"Serial port is busy" problems - another solution

Glen Myers writes about a familiar problem: Inability to use a internal modem on a PowerBook because you get a message that says the serial port is busy. Avariety of possible solutions exist. In this case, Glen was using a PowerPort Platinum Pro PC Card and OT/PPP. Global Village tech support told him to switch to FreePPP. It solved the problem!

Note: When we covered this issue in February, another solution was suggested: Add a space in front of the file name "OpenTpt AppleTalk Library."

Netscape Communicator uses more memory than you think

...and other Communicator matters Last time, we mentioned that the new beta version of Netscape Communicator requires significantly less memory than previous versions. However, as pointed out by several readers, this reduction may be more illusory than real. The new version also takes up as much a 3 - 8 Mb of your System Software memory. (Thanks especially to Wade Masshardt.)

A couple of readers also complained about sound-related conflicts with the Audio Tuneup extension (which did not even get installed on my Mac!).

Readers also reportvarious conflicts with Communicator and Web Quick 1.4.

On the plus side, Communicator … Read more