While on the subject of 10.3, I've not been able to read all mails from readers on 10.3 yet, and of course you're 10x more likely to get reports on problems than from those without any - but here's some quick summary items I've seen reported so far (may not be typical - just a FYI)

• Problems with Discwarrior 3.0 (typically noting it can't replace directory - also as noted back in September, G5s can't boot from the original DW 3.0 CD.)
• Problems with Nvidia Geforce4MX (reports so far from pre-MDD G4 macs, I suspect most are 32MB card versions but one 64MB card owner also reported the problem )
• Also several reports of limited resolutions/color depths with older ATI PCI cards (some very old like the ATI RagePro VR model) and some noted problems with the Radeon early models. Although 3Dfx cards never had acceleration in OS X, they often had basic 2d functionality. First 3dfx owner report didn't include any system or card details but noted only 640x480/256 colors - I suspect that is typical of any graphics card without driver support in 10.3.
• Studio MX 2004 - one reader reported when trying to install from CD he gets a "too many activations" error. (not sure that is typical)

Many of the other reports I've had were missing info like specific graphics card model for display/card related issues, or other details.
One friend with a Pismo (PB G3 2000) said there wasn't a proper CD eject at the end of disk 1's install (he forced it and had a kernel panic) . After the full install he had major problems (no networking/net access for instance). He said he ended up wiping the drive and restoring his 10.2.8 system he had backed up with Carbon Copy Cloner. He asked if any other Pismo owners (or other PB models) had seen the problem with CD ejects/prompts for Discs.

It's not a supported system, but as a FYI a Beige G3 owner said he had a kernel panic trying to boot the install CD. (Unsupported Mac model owners should probably wait for Ryan Rempel to release an update to Xpostfacto that supports 10.3.)

So far I've only installed 10.3 over 10.2.8 on a G5 - seems ok in limited use except the ATI 4.1 control panel didn't properly quit (using OEM 9800 pro card so can't test for features but it did not quit properly). As I mentioned in the 10.3 pre-install tips/suggestions, I did not have any Haxies, Dock mods, etc. installed to help minimize the chance of problems.
I won't even begin to comment on all the changes/additions in Panther, but the interface definitely feels faster than 10.2.8. Apple System Profiler has almost no delay compared to 10.2.8. I ran repair permissions from Disk Utility after the 10.3 update and saw some corrections made (to Adaptec 29160/39160 related files, printers/cups, and a few others).

I welcome other reports on 10.3 (please include as much detail as possible on mac model, any cards installed, if you have 3rd party mods/drivers/haxies installed, 3rd party optical drive, etc.) Also if you see added native support for a CD/DVD Burner (or if you had native support in 10.2.8 but not in 10.3) - include the details on the drive brand/model. Thanks

Myth TFL 1.5.1b1

v1.5b1 Changes:

• Support for large resolutions. The application will use the resolution that your computer is at when you boot the game. To keep this update small, the interface elements are still at their 640x480 size and are centered on the screen. This is similar to the way Aleph One (open source Marathon project) handles graphics.
• Ignores .DS_Store files.
• Cutscenes no longer crash under Mac OS 10.3
• Films/Saved games screens and actions should now work properly.
• When distributing units to team-mates, the list of members on your team with their respectiive hand-off number now displays properly.
• Myth II style escape characters to keep for consistent display. TFL escape characters also supported.

Myth II v1.4.4

General Enhancements (v1.4.4):

• Cutscenes now play without crash on Mac OS 10.3
  
• Removed support for Encryption Exception Logic (EEL)

Page includes updater and OS X install CD downloads.

Myth III 1.1.2

Myth III Enhancements v1.1.2

• Fixed rendering bug under Mac OS 10.3
• Custom player decals broken in version 1.1.1 have been repaired (oops).

" Please extract file using Stuffit 7.x or 8.0.1 * Compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 aka Panther
* IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Mac OS X users: If you are running Mac OS X and want to use your Keyspan serial adapter in 'Classic', do NOT install the Mac OS X software. "

" iLife (includes iDVD3) for $42.95
Buy that + the Pioneer DVR-A06 (DVD+R/+RW + DVD-R/-RW + CDR/CDRW) we have for $189.95 and then you can Use coupon code 'DVDLIFE' at check out to get $20 off!"

" Checking my software update @ 2:07pm CDT reveals a FCP QT Render Plug-In version 4.02. The description on it reads:

"The QuickTime Render Plug-in addresses a compatibility issue between Final Cut Pro 4 and QuickTime 6.4 that occurs when rendering non-DV clips in DV sequences. It is strongly recommended for all Final Cut Pro 4 users."

This should help for those people having FCP 4 issues under OS X 10.2.8.
Donald R. "

If any readers that had the problems with FCP4/QT 6.4 previous find this helps - let me know. (Please note system/OS info also - thanks!)
A G5 owner that had problems with FCP4 previously said the update seems to have helped:

"I installed the render bug fix and retried. It rendered the movie - mpeg2 perfectly. However given that 6 hours is a long time, I just left it to render rather than do a bunch of other stuff at the same time which I usually do.

I will say this, my dual G4 predicts 18 hours to do the same encode, G5 only 6 - not bad.
Andrew "

" Hi Mike, You were kind enough to help me out a few months ago regarding a problem w/ my then newly installed (MCE slotted) DVD burner. I did receive the plug in from MCE, and everything worked great after I switched it out.
When 10.2.8 came out, at first the problem resurfaced (wouldn't recognize the drive after the upgrade), but I just pulled out the old plug-in and (MatshitaCDR.device-plugin) - which appeared again after the OS upgrade, and replaced w/ the one sent from MCE (MCE2XDVDRCDR.device-plugin) and it worked fine.

Now that I've upgraded to 10.3 I expereinced the same problem, assumed I could just repeat the above process and be all set, but it doesn't work. First off, the MatshitaCDR.device-plugin didn't reappear and reinserting the MCE... Plugin didn't do anything.
Any thoughts, any of your other readers experiencing this problem? George "

Panther does not use the individual device-plugin files that 10.2.x/10.1.x did, mentioned in this article back in June here on Panther Burn Support/Mods. Unless a reader with this drive has any fixes, I'd contact MCE to ask if they are working on this and/or wait for a 10.3 compatible version of PatchBurn.

" Hi Mike,
some first Panther reports from me, regarding compatibillity with Adaptec 39160 and Hermstedt Leonardo ISDN.
I could successfully work with Retrospect (5.1.167 plus last SCSI Update) and a Sony SDT 10000 DAT Drive, controlled by a Adaptec 39160,
although the Adaptec ASK-Knowledgebase states that 39160 does not work under 10.3.
Same thing with Leonardo ISDN which is very popular here in my region. Works with no problems!
Niko "

I wonder if 10.3 has later drivers than are on Adaptec's website (or they are referring to some other problem that Niko hasn't seen.)
(BTW - Since Niko mentioned Retrospect, Versiontracker lists an update today to the Retrospect 5.1 client (to v5.1.109) but as usual with Retrospect updates, no specific details on what's fixed/changed. )

" What's new in iSync 1.3
iSync now has calendar, contact, and to-do synchronization for the Sony Ericsson P900 and P800, as well as the Nokia 3650, 7650, and N-Gage smart phones. With these phones iSync also syncs the Address Book picture to the contact info, so you can see a picture of the caller when the phone rings. In addition, iSync now supports several new Bluetooth phones from Sony Ericsson, the T616, T630, and the Z600. Finally, .Mac users who sync their bookmarks can now view, edit and use them from any browser by visiting http://bookmarks.mac.com "

Apple also has a Keynote 1.1.1 update available at http://www.apple.com/keynote/download/

" Keynote Update 1.1 provides enhanced performance of imported QuickTime video, improved PowerPoint import and export compatibility, and more. "

" iPod Software 1.3.1 improves compatability between Mac OS X, version 10.3 Panther, and your iPod:

If your iPod requires updating, the iPod Software Updater will run and allow you to install iPod Software 1.3.1 the next time you plug in your iPod and iTunes is launched.

iPod Software 1.3.1 supports only iPods without a dock connector.
For more information about iPod go to http://www.apple.com/support/ipod "

I have a 5GB 1st Generation iPod that was updated to 1.3 before and running the 1.3.1 updater in 10.3 says my iPod is up-to-date. Turns out the updater application is what was updated - not the actual firmware (i.e. get info shows the firmware is still v1.3)

"After an extensive development effort, Sonnet no longer plans to introduce an Encore/ST Cube installation kit that includes a new VRM module for the Cube. Even though the replacement VRM provided more power to the processor card, other Cube electrical component became overstressed. As a result, Sonnet will not support the Cube with current versions of Encore/ST 1.0 GHz and 1.4GHz processor cards.

While Sonnet regrets the cancellation of this solution, we want to assure our customers that a thorough research and design project was completed before this decision was reached. Our conclusion is that a 100% safe VRM replacement cannot be offered for an acceptable price.

Sonnet continues to offer both high-performance and economical upgrade options for Cube owners. The Encore/ST G4 800 MHz and 1.2 GHz upgrades use processors that do not overtax the Cube's power design, and these are both fully supported in conjunction with the Sonnet Cube Installation Kit P/N SGC-KIT and professional installation. Both are fully compatible with the Cube, as well as all software and system versions through OS X 10.3.

Sonnet is hopeful that future lower-power processor designs may enable faster Cube solutions, and we will certainly pursue such solutions should they make sense for our customers."

I'll bet you'll see 7457 CPU based G4 upgrades for the Cube real soon now ... positive they're coming from another source. I hope to have one to test within days.

BTW - a reader sent a note today about a strange issue with "Synergy" and 10.3:

"After installing Panther, I could not use the lowercase "a" key. After 8 hours of troubleshooting and typing (do you have any idea how many words have an "a"?) I discovered the conflict was with Synergy, the itunes utility that puts player controls in the menu bar. I turned it off and sure enough, I got back functionality of the "a" key.
- Sean P."

Strange..

" Hey Mike, Just letting people know about my experience with PCI Extreme and Panther. For people who don't know, PCI Extreme enables Quartz Extreme with Macs that have a 32 MB PCI card. In Jaguar, it worked well, but had Quicktime preview problems.

Well, I downloaded PCI Extreme version 2.1 (available here-Mike) and installed it on Panther. Viola! Works like a charm. (Download the latest version of Quartz Extreme Check 2.1 (available here-Mike) to make sure it was enabled). Speed increases most noticeable in opening finder windows. AND no Quicktime preview issues! Fast user switching now has the 3D effect as well.
A nice little 10%-15% gui speed jump.
As always, use at your own risk. Results may vary ;)
Paul
Art Director
LSHD Advertising "

Some in the past noted a downside to using PCI enabled Quartz Extreme (potential hogging of the PCI bus if other controller cards installed and some QT movie issues) - but not sure if any Panther users will see that .)
Since PCI Extreme is free, most use that utility but reader replied to this post that shareware utility Tinkertool also has an option to enable it - although that isn't listed in the features on their front page.

" Hey Mike, I noticed the post (in Wednesday's news) with the m-audio card problems and the i-sight in a dual G-5.
I have an m-audio card in my dual and I too had weird problems with sound not working under 10.2.8 with my m audio card. I did a finder search and found tons of m-audio prefs duplicated on my drive it was a real mess. So I decided to remove all of the m-audio software with the above search. I did a reinstall of driver 1.2.7 and reinstalled my card. Now it works with i-Sight and the problems went away.
You do have to go into the iChat prefs and select the revolution as the audio out too. Mine works great as I use the audio chat function all the time with my iSight mic.
Hope this helps with the problems the other guy is having.
Shawn F. "

Thanks Shawn. Another reader wrote about problems with the card in 10.3, despite the fact that their 1.2.7 driver update in September listed 10.3/Panther compatibility.

" Just wanted to let you know that the drivers for the Revolution 7.1 sound card do NOT work on 10.3 7B85. M-Audio states that the latest drivers (version 1.2.7) work for 10.2.6-10.2.8 and 10.3 Panther (although they do not say what build #). I wonder how long it will be after Panther ships until we see a working set of drivers? I have heard that they do not have a very good track record for driver support. Just a thought. Do you have any information to share or do any readers have any info?
Sincerely, Jeff B. "

I'll have to call them when I get time since they still have not answered my previous mails from early this week.
A reader replied to this post saying he's not seen any problems (yet at least) with a Rev 7.1 running 10.3:

" On the Revolution 7.1 card issue. It is working for me in B85 Panther. I did an install and archive over jaguar and it stopped working, I reinstalled the newest driver, 1.2.7 and it works fine. If this does not work for Jeff B. he might try pulling all the MAudio files and reinstall. (see above tip-Mike)
John O. "

" I don't think you have noted the latest Vidi release...
Since I suggested a feature that Mitz put in, I thought I should plug it. When viewing in full screen mode your display will no longer go to sleep if it's set to do so in the energy saver control panel. Makes sense! He also cleaned up some other stuff.
Why can't Formac write stuff that clean, lightweight and functional?

(I asked for the vidi site link and version number - I had posted info on it in the past but didn't have a link handy)

Vidi version 0.4.2d10, released 10/20/03. For me it works with the Studio TVR when using the svideo in. The tuner doesn't work well, and Mitz points out the incompatibility on this web page.
Rich "

Note that the Vidi page mentions in red that it does not support DV/TV devices with firmware later than 1.0.7 (which includes the latest shipping versions he said.)

• Giga Designs G4 1.25GHz in G4/AGP (rated 9)
• PowerLogix G4 1.4GHz in (sawtooth) G4/AGP (rated 9)
• PowerLogix G4 Dual 1.4GHz in (gigabit) Dual G4 (rated 5)
• Sonnet G3/466 in PowerBook 1400 (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 Lacie 40x12x48x used w/iMac slot-loading (OS X 10.3)
  (didn't note drive mechanism brand/model, or if supported by iTunes for burning)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire Sony DRU-500AX used w/iMac slot loading (OS X 10.3)
  (noted drive fully supported by Panther, wasn't with 10.2.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 Fujitsu FUJMHT2020AT 20GB in Powerbook 1400 (OS 8.6)
• IDE Maxtor Diamondmax Plus 40GB in iMac (OS X)
• SCSI Seagate ST318418N 18GB in 9500 (OS X)

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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