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News stories of Oct. 1st, 2003: (later posted items first) |
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| More G5 owner Feedback on Noise, CHUD Tools Nap mode Fix |
Yesterday's news had a tip on using Apple's CHUD tools (FTP download link) to stop the "beeping" noise heard by some G5 owners. (After installing CHUD, go to System Preferences, open the "Hardware" pane and turn off "Nap". Note this setting does not 'stick' - it resets after a reboot.) Some G5 owners also wrote to say it stopped a noise made during dock unhiding and other interface/window actions. (I have not noticed this personally on a Dual G5 here).
One reader included links to his recording of the "chirping" noise (during dock hide/unhide), the beeping noise and a recording of the effect of enabling and disabling Nap mode (on the fly). Details
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| ATI Updates Radeon 9800 and 9600 cards (for PC) |
Although no Mac versions were mentioned, PCworld and others have articles today on ATI's new Radeon 9800 XT and 9600 XT cards which have been updated with more memory (up to 256MB), "easy overclocking" and a coupon for a free copy of Half-Life2 when it ships. The PCworld article says the $499 list 9800 XT has a core clock speed of 412MHz (vs 380MHz previously) and 256MB of DDR memory running 30MHz faster than before - 730MHz. (365MHz DDR I assume).
The new "Dynamic Overclocking" feature lets the card run as fast as possible without overheating (temperature monitored) and ATI is quoted as having seen up to 40MHz increase on some 9800 XT cards in their tests.
The article says the $199 list 9600 XT card has a core clock of 500MHz (faster than the 9800 XT?) and 128MB of DDR memory running 600MHz (300MHz DDR I assume). I couldn't verify these specs at ATI's website as the product pages there don't list clock speeds. (I'd like to see ATI replace the current Mac 9000 AGP card with a 9600 model and replace the 7000 PCI card with a 9000 series card.)
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| Active Lancer arcade game |
Anson Tsai sent a note that his Active Lancer arcade "ship shooter" game is complete. (The page links to more info on the game, screenshots, etc..) The demo version link isn't active currently but may be in the future. Requirements listed there are a 300MHz G3 or better, OS 8.6 or later (incl. OS X) and 330MB if disk space.
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| OWC Cuts Prices on Firewire/USB Hard Drives and CD/DVD Burners |
| (email from sponsor OWC)
"
New prices on FireWire from OWC! Also - We are now including Retrospect
Express with All of our Mercury storage solutions. Better prices, superior
value.
OWC Mercury Elite PRO FireWire 800 + 400 + USB 1.1/2
80GB 7200RPM 2MB was $209.99, now $199.99
120GB 7200RPM 2MB was $239.99 Unchanged.
120GB 7200RPM 8MB was $259.99, now $249.99
160GB 7200RPM 8MB was $289.99, unchanged
180GB 7200RPM 8MB was $319.99, unchanged
200GB 7200RPM 8MB was $349.99, unchanged
250GB 5400RPM 2MB *NEW* $349.99
250GB 7200RPM 8MB was $449.99, now $419.99
320GB 5400RPM 2MB was $459.99, now $429.99
All Elite Pro FW800 + FW400 + USB solutions include: Dantz Retrospect,
Intech Speedtools, FireWire 800 Cable, FireWire 400 Cable, USB Cable, 2yr
OWC Warranty.
OWC Mercury Elite PRO FireWire 400 + USB 1.1/2
40GB 7200RPM 2MB was $139.99, unchanged
60GB 7200RPM 2MB was $159.99, was $153.99
80GB 7200RPM 2MB was $179.99, now $169.99
120GB 7200RPM 2MB was $195.99, was $189.99
120GB 7200RPM 8MB was $209.99, now $199.99
160GB 7200RPM 8MB was $229.99, unchanged
180GB 7200RPM 8MB was $275.99, unchanged
200GB 7200RPM 8MB was $299.99, unchanged
250GB 5400RPM 2MB *NEW* $299.99
250GB 7200RPM 8MB was $399.99, now $379.99
320GB 5400RPM 2MB was $459.99, now $389.99
All Elite Pro FW400 + USB solutions include: Dantz Retrospect, Intech
Speedtools, FireWire Cable, USB Cable, 2yr OWC Warranty.
OWC Mercury Pro CDRW / DVDRW Solutions FireWire + USB 1.1/2 Combo
OWC Mercury w/Lite-On 52x24x52 CD-R/RW now $115.00 while supplies last!
NEW OWC Mercury w/Lite-On 52x32x52X CD-R/RW now $119.99, was $129.99
Above include Dantz RetroSpect Express(Mac/PC), NTI DragonBurn(Mac), 25
Pieces CD-R 80 Min 52X Media, 1 Piece CDRW Media, FireWire Cable, USB Cable,
1yr OWC Warranty.
OWC Mercury w/Pioneer DVR-105 DVD-RW/CD-RW was $279.99, now $259.99
NEW OWC Mercury w/Pioneer DVR-AO6 DVD-/+RW,CD-RW $289.99
Above models include Dantz Retrospect Express(Mac/PC), NTI DragonBurn(Mac),
5 Pieces 4X DVD-R Media in MiniJewel, 25 Pieces 80 Min CD-R Media, FireWire
Cable, USB Cable, 1yr OWC Warranty.
" |
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| Rate Your CPU Upgrade Reports Database Updated |
| The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 2 new reports this morning (reader entry from yesterday; entries today are added the next newsday morning). Total to date: 8,765. Here's a summary of the update added today (search by brand/mac model for full reports - latest reports always shown first):
- PowerLogix G4 Dual 1GHz in (Digital Audio) G4/AGP (rated 3)
- Sonnet G4 800MHz in G4 Cube (rated 8)
(My full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here.)
(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.)
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| CDRW/CD/DVD/Hard Drive/Cardreader Compatibility Database Update Listing |
| The Drive Compatibility Database had 7 new reports added (reader entries from yesterday; entries today are added the next newsday morning). The database includes reports on Combo DVD-CDRW, CDROMs, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, CDRW, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, CF/Smartmedia readers, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, Firewire, SCSI, adapters). Current total 11,427 reports. (searching by drive type/brand, mac model etc. listed below will show the full reports, most recent first)
CD-ROM Drives:
- IDE LG GCR-8523B in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
(didn't note drive speed rating)
CDRW Drives:
- IDE Teac W552E (52x25x52x) in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
(using modified burn support plugin, didn't test for boot from CD)
DVD-ROM Drives:
- IDE Toshiba SD-M1712 in Beige G3 (OS X)
DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
- Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Sony DW-U14A in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
(using modified burn support plugin)
- IDE Sony DW-U10A in G4/AGP (OS X)
(Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs)
Hard Drives:
- IDE Hitachi 7K60 60GB (7200 rpm) in Powerbook G4 (OS X)
(I reviewed the 7K60 Notebook drive earlier this year. bottom of review includes
links to PB and iBook install guides.)
- IDE Maxtor 40GB in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
(Beige G3 MT illustrated HD upgrade guide here)
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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