1.2.8 Build 196 - 2003-11-25 (4710 Kb)

Release Notes:
- 10.3.2 has not yet been tested with this release
-Fix to support OS 10.3.1 surround component.
-AC3 passthru is now fixed.
Please note, however, that we NO LONGER SUPPORT VLC as Apple has added direct AC3 support to dvdplayer in 10.3 (which is what we now support and is supported in this version)."

Wednesday's news will have reader reports on using this driver update.

" excellent...and I've been in the business (computer, programming, Apple products) since 1978. TTP3 was only fair, albeit better than Nortons. TTP4 looks like a real winner. I had one issue of the clock test causing problems with my (retail) 9600 card (DP 1.25 SDD with 2 gigs RAM) (white out, necessitating a force quit), but every other feature is working fine. Program also ran fine on my Tibook. I've done directory optimizing on both machines, and will do a full optimize on my main machine tonight. EDrive seems to work as advertised.

True: I've only had it for 14 hours, but so far, this looks like a real winner.

Also, and fwiw, TT actually had directory re-creation _before_ Diskwarrior and they continue with it in TTP4. In fact, I actaully like the reporting better than DW (which is still a great program). But I may retire it if the quality of TTP4 continues to hold...
Cordially (and hth)
Tracy V."

Another Techtool Pro 4 user wrote:

" Received my copy yesterday and booted from it running Panther on a G4 867. There's a lot of new features that look worthwhile but the new interface is not exactly intuitive especially since there previous Drive 10 was quite simple to navigate.
Getting the information after a test is run is hardly straightforward. An interesting side note is that journaling prohibits optimization and must be turned off to defrag the drive. Will work with it more before deciding about the merits of the interface but on first use it was not user friendly to this user.
-Brian "

If you've used TechTool Pro 4, I welcome your comments. (Include mac model used/OS version and if you've tested booting from the TTPro 4 CD in reports - thanks.)

" Hi Mike.
Saw the news post on your site this afternoon about RADEON 7000 and 9000.
I can tell you with 100% certainty that these cards have not been discontinued at this time. If they had, they would appear in the discontinued products link along with the RADEON 8500. The "dealer" mentioned in your article is mistaken as well.

Further, product availability on ATI.COM does not indicate channel availability nor is it an indicator of product lifecycle. Like any store, ATI.COM sometimes runs low on stock. When there are not enough units to fulfil orders, an out of stock message is posted for that item. If you recall, the RADEON 9800 Pro was listed as out of stock on ATI.COM soon after its initial release.

As a last note, no part of this message, nor of the online stock situation, should be construed as commentary on unannounced products. At this time, the products listed on the product pages are the official Mac retail products.
Bruno
(ATI) "

(AM news item follows)
Yesterday's news page had a note that the ATI mac price list shows the 8500 EOL'd/Discontinued and a reader reported he was told by a NY dealer that the Mac 9000 AGP card was also discontinued. (Not true per Bruno/ATI comments)
A reader today sent a note that the 9000 and 7000 Mac editions being currently unavailable:

"(This ATI order page) at the ATI online store lists the 7000 PCI and 9000 AGP as "Out of Stock- Do Not Order".
Clearing out inventory for a new product?
Mike F."

We've all been hoping that the 7000 model would be replaced with a newer card and that a Mac retail model of the 9600 would be released. (The only Mac 9600 available to date is the one in some G5 models. I had previously posted tests of the OEM 9600 vs retail 9800 Pro card, and tests of the retail 9800 Pro vs BTO/OEM 9800 Pro.)

" Thought you might like to know America's Army homepage, http://www.americasarmy.com/, is showing that Mac and Linux ports of version 2.0 (Special Forces) will be available tomorrow (26th?).
cheers, Chris "

Chris later wrote he had problems with the 2.0 update and it looked like he would have to download the full version. (Wednesday's news has his full comments on the update.)

• Giga Designs G4/1.2GHz (at 1.3GHz) in (Gigabit) G4/AGP (rated 8)
• Other Brand (fastmac) G4/550 in Powerbook G3 2000 (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:
• Firewire QUE 24x10x40 used w/G4 AGP (OS X)
  (noted native support in 10.2.8/sanyo mechanism)
  
  Combo DVD+CDR Drives:
• IDE LG GCC-4520B (52x24x52x +16x DVD-ROM) in G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
  (using modified LGCDR file for itunes burn support)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire (Que cased IDE drive) NEC 1300A used w/Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3) (no native iTunes, etc. burn support in 10.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in Dual G4 DDR (OS 9.2)
  (no itunes burn support in OS 9.x)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106 in G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
  (noted error burning DVD - not sure what software used.)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)
  
  DVD-R Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE (serial ATA) Maxtor 160GB in G5 tower (OS X 10.3)
  (noted failure of original Seagate 160GB drive)

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.)

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