" Hi Mike, I just installed the newly released 10.2.8 update (build 6R73) and it fixed the crashing problem with both RAM modules installed in my Lombard. I have 512MB RAM installed and I can finally repair permissions now without getting any garbled screen or crash.

The Combo update is also available at
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120244
Regards, Robert "

I later had a B&W G3 owner report network/ethernet problems after applying the update. I'll post more feedback in Monday's news page.

" Mac OS X 10.2.8, G5: About the Mac OS X 10.2.8 (G5) Update
This software updates Mac OS X 10.2.7 (G5) to version 10.2.8 (G5).

Important : This update works only with Power Mac G5 computers..(10.2.8 for other Macs released earlier today - see previous news item below.)

Enhancements These are some of the enhancements that are part of the Mac OS X 10.2.8 (G5) Update:

The computer will now wake from sleep if both an AirPort Extreme card and some kinds of PCI cards are installed.

iChat works better on AirPort networks.

Adds support for these third-party disc burners: Logitech Corp. LCW-E48F 48x24x48x, MCE Lucid-SD DVD-R/RW Drive, Formac Devideon FWD1496-3DVD-R 4x, TDK DVD+/-R/RW Drive - DED+440, LaCie d2 CD-RW FireWire 52x32x52x

Bluetooth devices are now available after the computer wakes from sleep.

Some FireWire devices will work better if you connect them after disconnecting certain kinds of digital cameras.

Keyspan Twin Serial adapters work better when connected to a USB 2.0 hub.

FireWire devices, including iPod, are now available when the computer wakes from sleep.

Prevents a kernel panic from happening if you start Classic with more than 2 GB of RAM installed.

Improves stability when using the "Return to command state" modem string command (;) with an Apple Internal USB Modem (v.92).

The Apple Internal USB Modem maintains better connections to some kinds of v.34 modems.

Includes updated security services and the latest Security Updates."

" The 10.2.8 Update (Build 6R73) includes an updated ethernet driver for 450MHz and 500MHz dual processor Power Mac G4 desktop systems and an update to the battery status menu. "

Hopefully this will solve the Ethernet/networking and other issues reported with the original 10.2.8 release, although in general it was ok on my PB G4/800. (I didn't update any other Macs.)
NOTE: After applying this update and restarting - I've twice had problems with my Airport card losing a connection to the Base Station (non-apple 802.11b base, used for over a year now) used for sharing a cable modem. (It hasn't repeated since then however.)

" The fix seems to be working. I've tried every method I know of generating the freeze, and happily have been unsuccessful. Since I've been able to create the crash very consistently and with very little effort, I'm fairly convinced the hotfix actually fixed the problem. If I have any problems, I'll be sure to let you know.
-Jason
G4 450 w/1gig RAM
ATI AGP Radeon 8500
Lightwave 7.5c, OS 10.2.6 "

If any other Radeon 8500, 9000, or 9000 Mobility users find the Hotfix helps (or doesn't) with Lightwave 3D, Maya or other 3D apps - let me know. (Remember to run repair permissions from Jag's Disk Utility after applying any ATI driver updates since often there's permissions corrections made.) Also please include Mac model/graphics chip used, OS X version, Application version, etc. in reports. Thanks.

"This may be a little off topic, but I was having problems running MOTIONBUILDER 4.02 and MOTIONBUILDER 5 until I installed the new patch from ATI. Now my MOTIONBUILDER 4.02 works and I am able to run the MOTIONBUILDER 5 demo.
I do have LIGHTWAVE 7.5c and I will check that next.
I am just extremely happy that the 'HOT FIX' fixed my MOTIONBUILDER. Oh yeah, your site is the best thing since sliced bread.
Power Mac G4 500 MHZ
1.2 G RAM, X 10.2.6
Radeon 8500 running 2 Viewsonic monitors
Dwayne T."

Since the first 8500 card owner report on the hotfix said it didn't solve the Lightwave 3D 7.5 problem on this system, I asked Dwayne to report back if it did for him.
If any other Radeon 8500/9000/9000 Mobility users find the Hotfix helps (or doesn't) with Lightwave 3D, Maya or other 3D apps - let me know. Remember to run repair permissions from Jag's Disk Utility after applying any ATI driver updates since often there's permissions corrections made. (Also please include Mac model/graphics chip used, OS X version, Application version, etc. in reports. Thanks)

" I recently bought a 1.8 G5 Mac in Germany and ran into the "RAM Issue" (reportedly with early G5s and mixed OEM + 3rd party RAM - see yesterday's news post) that was reported on your site yesterday. Luckily I was able to able to fix it by exchanging the added 2x512 MB Ram with the ones provided by Apple - putting the new RAM in the "1" Slots and the Apple RAM in the "2" Slots. Now everything's fine. Maybe this could be a workaround for some of your readers.
Henrik
(Since there's several different boot rom versions in G5s shipped to date (from 5.0.1 to 5.0.7f0), I asked him to check Apple system profiler and write back with his boot rom version and if his S/N was in the affected range noted yesterday. he later wrote)
the Boot ROM is 5.01f1, the serial is below the one you mentioned, it's at 336. "

I also asked if the added Dimms were CL3 rated but he didn't know for sure. ASP won't report that info, but booting to the Apple Hardware Test CD (option key) and selecting the profile page (tab) will. (On the profile page, select the dimm's radio button for details including its CAS timing.)
I added two CL3 512MB PC3200 dimms to my 5.0.2f2 rom Dual G5 and put them in the 1st slots because I wanted the larger dimms there (moved the OEM CL3 256MB dimms to the 2nd slots). I did not test with the 512's in the 2nd slots but no kernel panics seen so far.

After seeing some reports at Apple's G5 forums (like this thread) of display artifacts from G5 owners using a BTO 9800 Pro card ADC port (with ADC display of course), I'm wondering how common this is. Here's a clip from someone on the issue he saw:

" I unboxed my dual G5 on Thursday, Sep. 26, with an ATI 9800 Pro, and promptly hooked it up to a 23" Apple Cinema Display to the ADC port.
A few minutes after transferring my files over, I tried running a program that brought up a black window, and found that there were green sparkles appearing over the entire black area. Probably this was happening elsewhere on the screen too, but it was not as obvious. After a little experimentation I found that if I opened DVD Player with no DVD in the drive, this would bring up a black window I could use for observation.
I happened to have an ADC-DVI converter for my Powerbook, so I hooked the same monitor up to the same video card's DVI-I connection. No problems at all, looked great. "

4 readers so far have replied to this post - 3 saying they have not seen the problem; one saying he did once but not anymore.

Reader reports: (most recent first)

" Mike: In the 2-1/2 weeks I've had my machine, I've noticed no artifacts with my 17" Studio Display. My system details are below. Best . . .
-Dion
DP G5
-- OS X 10.2.7 (Build 6S80)
-- Boot ROM 5.0.2f2
-- 512 MB of RAM
-- 9800 Pro ROM 113-A14401-116, Revision 0 "

" Mike, I have a Dual G5, an OEM (BTO) 9800 Pro, and an ADC 20" Cinema Display . I have not experienced any visual problems with the setup... no video noise or "sparkles". My boot rom is 5.0.2.f2.

On a side note, I did experience the weird chirping sounds, but using CHUD to disable Napping cleared that up. But this is another story.
-Craig "

" Yes, I too had this problem. In fact, the first time I booted my computer I got screen artifacts. I am using a 1.8GHz G5 with, at the time of the artifacts, 512MB of RAM and a 22" Cinema hooked to the ADC port and a sony CRT hooked via adapter to the DVI port. After a restart, the artifacts went away, but came back at random for a couple days. They seem to have gone away on their own.
Definitely no problems with it since I added another gig of RAM, so that may be an issue. I would get you my boot ROM info, but System Profiler crashes at startup. Ha!
Ben H. "

That's not normal...

" Hi Mike, .... I'm using exactly the same setup as the reader and have no problems with the display.
G5 DP, 160 GB HD
BTO 9800 Pro
1 GB Ram (2x512), Factory installed
Apple 23" Cinema HD Display (This shows in system profiler as Studio Display, Product ID 37400 ($9218)
Boot Rom version 5.0.7f0
9800 Rom version 113-A14401-117, Revision 0
Allan S. "

If you're using an OEM Radeon 9800 Pro with ADC display and see any display artifacts (noise, sparkles, etc.) let me know. (Include system details, G5 boot rom version and if possible - the firmware version (revision) of the 9800 Pro card which Apple System profiler will show in the card details. Thanks.)

• Powerlogix G3/800 in Beige G3 (rated 7)
  (includes info on Sonnet PCI card issues and fix)
• Powerlogix G3/800 in B&W G3 (rated 10)
• XLR8 G3/300 in 7300/200 (rated 8)
  (My full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here.)
• Apple Beige G3/233 OC report

(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.)

Tape Drives:
• SCSI Sony AIT-3 100-260GB used w/Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  (noted kernal panics with 29160 card and retrospect 5.)
  
  CDRW Drives:
• IDE Mitsumi CR-485GTE (54x32x54x) in G4 no AGP (OS X)
  (no iTunes burn support - try Patchburn)
  (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)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire (IDE drive in FW case) Pioneer DVR-106 used w/G4 Cube (OS X)
  
  DVD-R Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in (Quicksilver) G4/AGP (OS X)
  (noted kernel panics that he said were not related to drive sleep)

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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