" The 10.3.2 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users.
Key enhancements include:

• improved file sharing and directory services for mixed Mac and PC networks
• more robust printing to PostScript printers
• improved font management
• updated Mail and Address Book applications
• new ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
• FileVault, FireWire 800, WebDAV and USB Printing improvements from Update 10.3.1
• previous standalone security updates

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n25652

Important Note:
Apple has identified an issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive. Even with the improvements available in this update, Apple recommends you update the firmware on your FireWire drive. Please contact your drive manufacturer for more information. "

If any readers apply this and it fixes a problem (or creates one) - let me know. (include system/software details in reports - thanks.)
Update - I've posted a separate page ofReader Reports on OS X 10.3.2 Update.

"Hi Mike,
180 GB FireWire F400 FireWire/USB 2/1.1-7200 RPM/8MB Cache w/Oxford 911 Bridge External Drive ... $239. Drive Mechanism is IBM (Hitachi) 180GXP.
http://www.transintl.com/store/category.cfm?Category=405xl
Thanks, Ken
Transintl.com"

"Dec 17, 2003 -- Unsanity and Other World Computing are proud to announce the first ShapeShifter theme contest.
GUI and graphic design experts will be given a month to create awe inspiring themes with which to compete for fabulous prizes and cash. Complete contest details and rules are available at http://www.unsanity.com/contest.php
Contest in a Nutshell:
Start Date: Dec 17, 2003
Submission Deadline: Jan 19, 2004
Winners Announced: Jan 26, 2004

FIRST PRIZE
120GB Mercury Elite Pro + $250 USD

SECOND PRIZE
120GB OWC Mercury Elite + $150 USD

THIRD PRIZE
80GB OWC Neptune + $100 USD

Special thanks to OWC for sponsoring this contest and giving themers a chance to win their great storage products!
Brian Wilson (Unsanity.com) "

" Mike, I thought I should send you a quick follow up note concerning the G5 drive bay heat issue. After applying the recent G5 firmware update, I have done some brief testing. My drive bay sensor is still in its new location (against the side of the upper drive), and I did some testing to see if the firmware update improved the drive fan behavior.

From what I can tell at this point, the firmware update had no effect on the drive bay fan. The fan still starts off after a cold reboot running at the lowest possible speed and only begins to pick up speed after the drive bay fan senses a temperature higher than about 105 degrees. This is consistent with the behavior I experienced before the update.

Next, I temporarily reaffixed the sensor to the top of the drive bay. ThermoGraphX reported drive bay temperatures varying between the upper 80s to upper-90s over the course of several hours of light use. During that time, the fan never ran faster than the lowest speed and both drives got extremely hot to the touch. IR thermometer readings showed both drives running at temps exceeding 125 degrees by the end of the testing period (and some parts of the drives registered over 135 degrees!). This is exactly the kind of behavior I experienced before, which prompted me to move me drive bay sensor.

Based on this data, it seems fair to conclude that the firmware update was directed at altering drive bay fan behavior. Apple's own comments about the update would seem to support that conclusion, since they only mention correcting "open firmware" fan behavior.
Anyway, I have returned the sensor to the improvised location for now.
Steve "

When I can get time I have more reader feedback/reports to add to the G5 HD heat/sensor relocation page. As a FYI - a reader with the black screen cold boot problem (9600 card) said the firmware update didn't help with that issue and that apple was sending him a new 9600 card.

No other reports like this to date, but a reader with Pioneer DVR-105 (aka DVR-A05) flashed to region-free firmware wrote he's seen some quirks after the firmware update:

" Just letting you know that my pioneer A05 is acting very strangely after installing the G5 firmware update...
sometimes discs won't eject, it's tempremental about which files I can copy off dvd's... and the dvd player app just asked me to set the region code, even though it's a region free drive...
I suppose there's not a way to revert back to the old g5 firmware ?
kenton "

Not that I know of. A reader post in the drive db recently said he just 'cancels' the region code prompt (after new drive install) and can play any region DVD without region-free firmware or using up any region changes. (Never tried that personally though)

If any other G5 owners have seen pros or cons after the 5.1.4 firmware update (OK here - I had v5.0.2f2 previously) - let me know. (Please include system/OS/addon HW/SW details in reports - thanks.)

" I am developer of Cocktail, system utility for Mac OS X. I would like to inform you that new Cocktail 3.3 has just been released.

Version 3.3 adds:
• Pilot scheduler
• Pilot options
• Added "Prebind system" task to Pilot
• Minor interface improvements
  Requirements: Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

Current Christmas sale (pricing) will end on December 28th. You can find more information about my software and download it from http://www.macosxcocktail.com .
Sincerely, Kristofer Szymanski"

" FYI, (from Miglia)
"Thank you for your recent pre order of AlchemyTV(tm) G5. We are sending out all orders this week in the date order we received them."

Previous email:
"The new G5 compatible version of AlchemyTV(tm) and AlchemyTV(tm) DVR are in final beta testing and are scheduled to ship from the 15th of December 2003.
AlchemyTV and AlchemyTV DVR G5 feature a brand new "Silicon" tuner from Philips, which is fully compatible with the low-voltage PCI slots built into the PowerMac G5 (previous PCI card model was 5Volt.). Picture quality and multi-standard support (PAL, NTSC, SECAM on the same card!) are the main beneficiaries of the "Silicon" tuner. The FM radio functionality will unfortunately no longer be available.
http://www.miglia.com/store/alchemytvg5.htm
"

• WCIII 1.1.3 update patch page and WCIII 1.1.3 patch info page
• Frozen Throne 1.1.3 update patch page and 1.1.3 patch info page

" FYI- Reading that thread about the QT MPEG2 (component) broken. (see thread link below) Appears that a new file has been posted and works now according to later posts in that forum thread... you have to go back to your qt purchases page to re-download it though.
-T "

(original news post follows)
I'm late posting this mail received on Monday:

"It seems the QuickTime 6 MPEG-2 Playback Component is busted as of 12/15/03. Same identical file will not load with today's date but if you roll back your clock to 12/14/03 it will load.
Running 10.3.1 G4/733MHz/1.12GB, contacted Apple support also see: http://discussions.info.apple.com/WebX?7@87.ktgsapgvoDJ.7@.599dc122/5
Jerry "

• Giga Designs G4/1.25GHz in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 10)
• "Other" brand G3/450 in Beige G3 (rated 1)
  (problems noted)
• XLR8 CarrierZIF card MPe w/OWC G3 500MHz ZIF in 7600/132 (rated 10)
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

CDRW Drives:
• IDE Teac CD-W216E in iMac (OS X 10.3)
  (problems noted - sounds like bad laser on drive)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Pioneer DVR-106 used w/iMac slot-loading (OS X)
• IDE Liteon LDW-411s in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (no native burn support)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
  (finder burning error reported w/large file - see FAQ CDROM/CDR section for apple kbase doc link)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Dual G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (problems noted but he installed a modified pioneer plugin file which a) is not needed w/10.2.8 and later and b) is not even compatible with 10.3 panther as noted for months here)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

• 1 year ago today
• 2 years ago today
• 3 years ago today