Winds of Change

written by Charles DeVore

from Mouse Tracks May 2002

My iBook started doing kernel panics the other day. Not being one to let something get the best of me, I started keeping track of what I was doing when they happened. There seemed to be no pattern, so out came the software utility CDs. First I ran DiskWarrior to make sure I didn't have a damaged directory. It really didn't find anything of note. So on to Norton Utilities–again very little was found, but while I was there I optimized the System X volume (seems to be a problem from the factory of having lots of fragmentation). It worked fine for about a day then went back to its old ways. So, today, I loaded up TechTool and ran all the tests. The RAM failed the test on the second pass. This RAM was tested when it was first put in the machine and was good then, so what happened? Some RAM, even though it tested good at the start, slowly fails over a period of time. This can be caused by an imperfection on its circuit board or a part failing due to the heat in the machine or even mishandling by the installer as it was installed or packaged (due to static or dirty/oily hands). So back to the dealer this RAM goes for replacement.

As a footnote, memory (RAM) has doubled in price from what it was in September. Many of the vendors have been purchased by other vendors who are retooling those factories for newer RAM production.

Backing up
Dantz has finally released Retrospect 5.0 so that System X volumes can be backed up. Many reports are coming in with mixed reviews on how well the product works, so you may want to drag your feet a bit before upgrading to the latest version. However, if you are like me, you need to start moving things over to the new version fairly quickly. Bear in mind that this is (and has to be) an ongoing work. There are currently five different versions of the application, so be sure and pick the one that is right for you. Here are some of the improvements that Dantz claims.

* Files larger than 2GB are now supported
* Backups are not constrained by resource fork size limits (you can now exceed 70,000 files)
* All Apple CD-RW and Super Drives are supported
* System X "root" permissions can be completely backed up and restored
* Supports HFS+ metadata (type and creator codes) * Supports long file names (256 characters)
* Supports proper UNIX ownership and permissions
* Supports hard-linked files, symbolic links, etc. (very important in X)

You can contact the Dantz store at 800-225-4880 or http://www.dantz.com/

XLR8 G4 cards and Retrospect 5.0 have problems if you have the XLR8 software cache enabler installed. The software is optional, and removing it seems to speed up some computers. If you try to back up your hard drive with it installed using Retrospect 5.0, your backup will most likely fail or be corrupted.

How do you back up a 40GB hard drive? For most people the answer is, they don't. The most cost effective way to back up large drives is to buy another drive of the same size and copy all your data over there. In the old days, that was easy; now we have System X and it's not so easy. However, with a back-up hard drive, you can have all your updaters and downloaded goodies on hand for the day you need them. You can also do what I call a double install. Yes, you guessed it–install System X on both drives so that if one fails you have a complete back-up of everything you can go to. The only bad thing about this is it will not protect you from worms and viruses so you need to make sure your virus software is current. Each month, a new virus updater comes out that you need to install in order to remain protected. Unless you update monthly, that virus software is just another expense that is not doing its job. In fact, it's giving you a false sense of security which is bound to lead to an infected hard drive or two. So if you don't update it today, it can't save your bacon later.

Visor PDA
For those of you who own Visors as I do, please keep in mind that Handspring(tm) is warning people not to upgrade to the latest Palm software (4.0) until they make sure it is compatible. Some early adapters have reported problems. Handspring(tm) is currently testing the software and will let you know the "if and when" on their web site.

Microsoft and Apple
Well, Steve Jobs' deal with Bill Gates expires this summer, but it looks like Microsoft will continue to build software for the Mac. Some think this is due to the current trial that is going on with MS, but the facts are they make a lot of money off Mac users. Other than that, they get a lot of program ideas from Apple; after all, it's easier to copy good ideas than to think them up yourself. Keep in mind Apple never did tell us just how much money MS handed over for patent settlements that were part of the five-year pact they signed.

AppleWorks
AppleWorks update 6.2.4 is now out. AppleWorks 6.2.4 (for Mac OS 10.1 or later) is a minor update to AppleWorks for Mac OS X. So if you're using System X, you need this; if not, don't bother. I really don't see a lot more that they can do to Appleworks; it was never meant to be native in System X. In order to make it truly a System X application, they need to do a total rewrite.

Plan ahead
Installing OS X on your hard drive is something you should plan in advance. Do you really want to stick OS X and System 9.1/9.2 all on the same drive? My preference is to reformat the drive and create two separate volumes. Into one volume goes System X, and into the other goes System 9.x. This way, if my System X volume has problems, I can boot up into System 9.x and run my repair tools on the System X volume. If it comes right down to it, I can erase the System X volume and reinstall without losing all my Classic programs. For those of you with everything already on one drive and not wanting to start over again, don't; this information is for those who have just purchased a new computer or have decided (been forced) to start over.

Apple currently lists a chart on their web site http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106713 that lists all the updates to System 9.21 and OS X that you need. I'm not sure how current they keep it, but at least it's a place to check for any updates you may be missing.

Apple really needs to get on the stick and release a CD ROM full of updates and installers for their current products. Most of the downloads for these updates are 10 MEG or more, and most users are still making do with 56K modems. Come on Apple–do the right thing. If you are having problems getting these things downloaded, PMUG can most likely help you. Email charles@pmug.org; we'll see what can be done.

Sheep update
As many of you know, the Sheep had some problems last month. At first, we thought we would have to erase the whole thing and do a recover from the back up Jeffrey had made five weeks earlier. However due to Jeffrey's stubborn streak, he managed to get the mail directory rebuilt and recovered with only one person having to lose their mailbox. The Electric Sheep has been one of the most stable email and news areas in the Northwest. So if you see Jeffrey at a PMUG event, you may want to let him know what a great job he does for us Sheepsters.

Sonnet upgrade
Sonnet has issued a firmware update for their FireWire/USB card. The Tango 1.2 update improves compatibility with a wider variety of FireWire storage devices. It also resolves issues that prevented its use in 5500, 6500 and twentieth anniversary Macs. This was due to an Apple bug that Sonnet identified and solved.

You can reach me at charles@cdevsol.com.

Previous Article Next Article

Back to Home page