" We recently discovered that a small number - less than 1% - of the Video iPods available for purchase after September 12, 2006, left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus. This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up to date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it. So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem. The iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free. As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it.
How to remove the Windows virus...."

"The OWC Mercury On-The-Go line offers up to 160GB of data capacity in a reliable, performance solution that weighs less than 12 ounces. Using the best hard disk mechanisms and Oxford based bridge interfaces for the FireWire models, these solutions go where you need them and are great for Audio/Video, Backup, Music, and more!
All models are bootable via FireWire and/or USB2 interfaces (system must support such boot option), bus power without external power required, are EMC/Dantz Retrospect Backup Certified, and include: All connecting cables, EMC/Dantz Retrospect, Intech HD Speedtools utility suite, Carrying Case, AC Power Adpter (use of adapter is optional) and a 1 Year OWC Warranty.
OWC Mercury On-The-Go 2.5" FireWire 400 Bootable Portable Solutions:
40GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $115.99, now $109.99
60GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $123.99, now $119.99
60GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $169.99, now $159.99
80GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $139.99, now $137.99
80GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $199.99, now $179.99
100GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $169.99, now $159.99
100GB 7200RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $224.99, now $219.99
120GB 5400RPM w/ 8MB Buffer was $195.99, now $164.99
**NEW** 160GB 5400RPM 8MB Buffer FW400 model option - $259.99
****FireWire 400+USB2, FireWire 800/400+USB2 options also available****
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UPS Ground Delivery from only $2.95; 2nd Day Air within the US $7.95 or less."

"Parallels ImageTool problems
I tried many times to expand a parallels virtual hard disk using ImageTool but it dosn't work.
(I asked for more details-Mike)
ImageTool (version 1940 of Parallels) dosn't show any error, all seems working good but the size of the virtual hd is the same as before. I start with a standard winxp.hdd of 6.61 GB and I tried to expand to many other sizes, but the winxp.hdd remains at 6.61 GB.
Drive is raid 0 but the same thing happens using an external firewire HD. Have you any feedback about this?
Best Regards,
Francesco M. "

I don't have an intel mac to even run parallels but if anyone that does can comment on this let me know.
(Parallels has a user forum also, might be worth checking there and/or post a question there too.)
Update - Two readers replied to this post, both mentioning a similar tip:

" It sounds like he just increased the size of the parallels image. He still needs to increase the size of the Windows partition for Windows OS to see the size increase. He need to use a Windows partition tool for that.
-Christine"

" There is nothing wrong with ImageTool. You need to expand the partition in the virtual OS after expanding the "physical" hard drive. Direct the user to the Parallels forums. There's a sticky at the top of the Mac forum that explains how to use the GParted tool to expand the partition.
-Gary "

I wrote Francesco about this but no reply yet. I had originally asked if he checked their forums but didn't get an answer. In case any other Parallels users missed it, I went to their forums and found the thread - see How I resized a Windows partition. (I would have checked earlier myself but when juggling a ton of other reader mails/questions/help requests I can't always do everything for everyone... so remember the basics - check the docs for the product, the vendor's site for info/FAQ's/forums first if problems arise. I spend 10x more time in mails for help than anything that appears in public here. But I know it's human nature to ask others first, especially with the incredible reader response here on literally any subject or hardware/software combination.)

DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Sony DW-U21A flashed to Liteon 1653S in G5 Tower (OS X 10.4.x)
  (Mentioned problems with the cross-flash. There's always a risk when doing this although earlier this year a reader noted he Flashed an OEM G5 Sony DWU21A to Liteon SOHW-1653S (w/DL support) successfully.
• USB (cased) Samsung TS-H552U used with PowerBook G4 (w/USB 2.0 PCcard) running OS X 10.4.8
  (used Virtual PC to update drive firmware. Flashing via VPC requires a USB cased/adapted drive. Although Tiger has basic iApps burn support for most drives without it, he noted using Patchburn 4.)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Fujitsu MHV2120AH 120GB in PowerBook G4 (OS X 10.4.8)
  (Reader FYI - PowerBook G4 Ti 15in. LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here
  PB G4 15in (Aluminum) Disassembly guide here.
  Powerbook G4 12in LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here
  FAQ's Powerbook section has links to other model take-apart guides such as ifixit's.)

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). The database includes reports on DVD +/-R, CDRWs, Combo DVD-CDRW, DVD-ROM, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, NAS, CF/Smartmedia readers, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, SATA, Firewire, SCSI, USB, adapters).
If you've added a IDE, SATA, Firewire, USB, or SCSI, hard drive, Optical drive/burner, NAS, tape drive, etc., send me the details for adding to the database.

• OpenGL Extensions Viewer 2.27
• Straight Dope on the IPod's Birth (Wired)
• Infinite Loop Apple's next browser, Safari 3.0 (Ars)
• Quinn 3.4.2 for OS X Tiger (free Tetris game w/network support, updated Oct. 15th with bug fixes. Older version there for pre-Tiger users)
• Neverwinter Nights 2 goes Gold
• Firefox 2 Release Candidate 3 (RC 3)
• Industry Finally Realizing That Ditching DRM Is Good For Business?
• Skype on Your Smart Phone
• Sony to Recall Vaio Laptop Batteries
• Microsoft Sets Virtualization Free