News Archive for: Monday, April 24th, 2006 (later posted items first)
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Mac Mini Core Duo Graphics Glitch (window shadows)
"G'day Mike, I was wondering if any of your readers have asked similar questions about the Window Shadow issue in OS X on the Mac Mini?

There are a couple of discussion threads on discussions.apple.com chatting about this issue. A few people have returned their Mini's to Apple and had them replaced, only to have the issue re-occur. Also, the recommendation has been to perform a hardware test, and if any issue is reported, have Apple replace the unit. I have run my Hardware Test (no issues).

The only fix at the moment seems to be to reboot, and cross your fingers that it doesn't happen again. Of note, there seems to me no consistent set of tasks that can replicate the issue. For me, if occurs mostly when waking from sleep, whilst others have it happen when coming out of the Screensaver.

Here's a few links to discussions:
http://web.mac.com/dworld/iWeb/Site/Mac%20Mini%20Graphics.html (includes sample images)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=448134&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=394694&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=400981&tstart=0
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/8300945231/m/473001408731
Do you know of any fix?
(I asked if he was using any 3rd party haxies, GUI/graphics addons, etc. and if his Mini ever had 10.4.5 on it, if the same thing was seen with it as with 10.4.6.-Mike.)
To be honest, when I got my Mac Mini, I immediately installed all the Apple updates (10.4.6 and the Firmware Update). It came delivered with 10.4.5, but I didn't use the machine long enough to see if it happened. I don't have any 3rd party graphics items installed
Thanks for your help.
-Adrian"

I don't recall any reader with an Intel CPU Mini mentioning this but if anyone has a tip/fix, let me know.

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Apple Xsan and Admin Updates
Apple has released an Xsan Filesystem 1.3 update for 10.3.9 and 10.4.x ("The Xsan 1.3 update delivers overall improved reliability for Xsan") as well as an Xsan Admin update ("The Xsan 1.3 update delivers overall improved reliability for remotely administering, configuring and maintaining Xsan deployments") and a v1.3 uninstaller. (Thanks Matthew.)

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GarageBand 3.0.2 Update
Matthew sent a note that GarageBand 3.0.2 is available via software update (and at this apple download page)

" GarageBand 3.0.2 addresses issues with video handling, podcast exporting, and importing QuickTime markers. It also addresses a number of other minor issues. "
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Firmtek announces SATA card for MacBook Pro
Firmtek sent a press release announcing a Serial ATA Adapter card for the MacBook Pro - the SeriTek/2SM2-E which they say "will be available early Q3 this year, with estimated retail pricing of USD$119.95". It looks similar to the vydeo eSATA 34 which is also listed as OS X compatible with est. ship of April/May. (Mentioned here previously in the April 12th news page.)
Firmtek also sent PR on their new SeriTek/2SE2-E Two-Port (External) SATA II PCI Express Adapter for Dual-Core G5 systems, also said to be available in Q3 with an estimated retail price of $99.95.
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Apple intros 17in MacBook Pro (2.16GHz, with FW800)
Apple has finally announced a 17in MacBook Pro model with 2.16GHz Core Duo CPU and Firewire 800. The Apple store has it available for order now at $2,799.00 (US) for the base config:

" 17-inch widescreen display
1680 x 1050 resolution
2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
1GB (single SODIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 256MB GDDR3 memory
One FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, and three USB 2.0 ports

The MacBook Pro specs page has been updated for the new model and also links to a MacBook Pro 17in Tech overview PDF. (Thanks to Dallas and Cayetano for the heads-up.)

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8 Drive SATA II RAID0 Tests on a PCIe G5 PowerMac (w/Port Multiplier/Sonnet E4P)
" Speed tests on Port Multiplier SATA II RAID using Sonnet E4P
Just put an 8-drive array together and the results are impressive:
Eight-Drive SATA II RAID 0 on a PCIe (Quad) G5 PowerMac
-Adam L."
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Article on iBook G3 Video Repair (may not be a permanent fix)
(Updated - see reply below that this may not be a permanent fix)

" Hi Mike,
Macbook-fr.com have published an article about repairing a G3 iBook Dual USB video failure. The Apple Repair Extension Program is now up, so the only solution for having such an iBook to work is the "DIY" solution. One of our forums' moderator -Pacis- has found a solution that solve this issue. It's not expensive, it's not hard to do, it's just there:
http://www.macbook-fr.com/ibook/bricolage/repair_g3_video_en_article797.html
Best regards,
Vincent
www.macbook-fr.com "

At first I thought the above seemed a strange fix for a GPU "failure" and a reader reply included more info on the actual problem:

" Hey Mike, I noticed you posted a bit today about fixing G3 iBooks with the video issue that is oh so common.
However, the fix shown is a temporary fix at best. The reason the video dies is the GPU is an BGA mount, and it happens to be on a part of the board that flexes some. So over time the solder joints break. By pressing on the GPU, you can make these come in contact again. But is not a permanent fix. The linked page does not seem to mention this, and you may want to add a line that says as much.
-Brandon "
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Review of high-end iPod Speaker systems
Ars wrote they've posted a Review of high-end iPod Speaker systems comparing the Apple iPod Hi-Fi, Klipsch iFi, and Altec Lansing InMotion iM7.
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Other Net News/Misc. Software Updates

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Apple knowledge base doc updates
(from apple's weekly list)

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Recent Reviews and Articles:
Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
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