"just a heads up there's an Alice 1.1.1 update. Here is what they say is changed:

• Support for texture compression - for higher performance
• Support for anisotropic filtering - increased texture quality
• Support for full-screen anti-aliasing (FSAA) - smoothing screen geometry, Mac OS X only Support for widescreen resolutions
• Support to switch out of game into window mode to be able to change apps
• Support for HID - enables gamepads

Now if I can just find my original CD I'm going to give it a try... (I removed it from my hard drive last year.)
Jason."

" I just completed my G3/900 upgrade in my Pismo (PB G3 2000).
It came back with a new wake-up-from-sleep stall to a blank screen under OS9, which I isolated to be related to the L2 cache being enabled (usual mode). Powerlogix came up with a firmware fix, and now all is great.
Best regards,

If you see this problem, write Powerlogix tech support for the update (I did not see it at their website today.)

"Mike, I just bought a new PowerBook G4 1.0G 15" (they delayed shipping a few days, but then sent it free overnight). I have had two problems so far:

1. The screw to release the battery failed, and I will probably have to take it in.

2. More importantly, the battery fell to half its charge the second time I charged it. I ran it down till it fell asleep like the manual said, then charged it and it gave 4 hours estimated time (not 5, but OK), then ran it down again and charged it only to find it would only yield 2 hours at a full charge. Not good.

System is 10.2.7, 1.0, 15", 256MB RAM, and arrived from Taiwan directly. On another note, there are instructions in the manual on how to use it strictly as a CPU with the lid closed, although I have read reports that this may damage the screen over time (heat, I think).
Scott S.

I wrote to ask if/when he updates to 10.2.8 if the battery life improves (several readers said it helped - apple's 10.2.8 re-release said it fixes a battery status icon issue in the previous 10.2.8 build, but i didn't take that to mean actual battery life improvements). The new Powerbooks have a lower core voltage CPU but also a smaller capacity battery than previous models.
I asked if he had seen any problems with the display lid latch that some have noted (i.e. the latch not catching or popping open) and he said not with his sample.

If any readers have tested a Firewire, USB or Firewire/USB combo card for deep sleep/wake from sleep problems, let me know the card details and your Mac model/OS details. Thanks.

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" Our OWC Mercury On-The-Go 7200RPM 60GB FireWire is now $359.97, FireWire + USB 1.1/2.0 Model now $369.97. These prices both reflect a $40 reduction over their prior 399.97 and $409.97 respective prices.
As do all OWC Mercury On-The-Go solutions, the above include all cables, Dantz Retrospect Express(Mac/PC), Intech Speedtools (Mac), may be bus powered or powered with included AC Adapter, and are covered by a 1yr OWC Warranty.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing "

I previously reviewed this drive compared to the 80GB/4200 RPM model and several other notebook drives.

• Powerlogix Bluechip G3/900 in Powerbook G3 2000 (rated 9)
• Powerlogix G4 1.2GHz in G4/AGP (rated 7)
  (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.)

CDRW Drives:
• Firewire Sony CRX145E (10x4x32x) used w/Powerbook G3 2000 (OS X) (problems noted with burns at higher speeds)
• USB Philips (jackrabbit) JR24CDRW (didn't note drive speed) used w/iBook 2000 (OS X 10.3) (no iapps burn support)
• IDE Liteon LTR52327S (52x32x52x) in Beige G3 (OS X)
  (FAQ here has burn support files for OS 9 and 10.2.x, didn't test for booting from CD)
• IDE TDK CDRW5200B (52x24x48x) in B&W G3 (OS X)
  (no native iApps burn support, some problems noted, returned drive)
  (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:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in B&W G3 (OS X)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in G4 no AGP (yikes) (OS X)
  (buffer underruns noted - common issue with Toast 5/6 to date which does not sure BUP when burning DVDs to the drive)
• Firewire Sony DRX 510-UL used w/PowerBook G4 (OS X)
  (no native iapps burn support - try PatchBurn)
  
  DVD-RAM Drives:
• IDE Matshita PD-2 LF-D110 in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (problems noted)
  
  DVD+RW Drives:
• IDE HP DVD100i in B&W G3 (OS X)
  (no native iApps burn support, didn't test booting from CD)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Toshiba MK3021GAS 30GB in iBook 2001 (OS X)
  (The FAQ's iBook section has some links to iBook HD install guides)
• IDE Seagate ST3160023A 160GB in (QS2001) G4/AGP (OS 9.2)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 and G4 towers up to the QuickSilver models.
  IDE articles page RAID section has an illustrated guide for adding 2 more drives in the side bays.)

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