The 6400 Zone is created to help you gain access to useful software updates and great shareware programs that add functionality to your system. It is also a one stop road map to other informative sites for answering your questions. Most of the info here is geared towards the 6400, but it is useful for all PCI Performa models and even the 6500 and all-in-one Macs based on the same. It's even useful to other MAC systems. I will be referring to my 6400/200 clocked to 220Mhz as just 6400/220, OK.

I will keep it updated as often as I can but I don't have much free time to work on it, so I suggest you check back at least once a week. That should be sufficient. If you don't see something you would like to see here or have your own software / web site that would benefit the MAC community, please write to me at TMK12v@aol.com and I will check it out.

Apple 4400 and the Sonnet Clocker?: Pedro wrote to let me know he tried both Sonnet Clocker apps and neither would change the speed of his 300Mhz Sonnet G3 to 320Mhz which is the max an 8x G3 could go on a 4400 due to its 40Mhz bus. I think Sonnet may have programmed into the driver or in hardware that if its on a 40Mhz bus then 300 is the fastest it will go? Anyone with a 4400 get the 300 car to run at 320Mhz? Thanks.

[Thanks for these useful resource: site Your site has been very usefull I was trying to overclock my 4400 (40 mhz bus * 8 = 320) with a Sonnet G3 Crescendo 300 mhz 1 meg cache to 320 mhz or the cache speed to 3:2 with no luck
I tryed the clocker I and II with different settings on 4 versions of the sonnet driver, tryed erasing preferences, flashing the pram. I think one time I was able to underclock it to 255 mhz only one time was I able to change the clock speed on the card.
I also tryed 3 other drivers in their different versions: the vimage 320/325 booster's, newer tech's, and powerlogix. Also tryed the sonnet hack + power logix almost all the time I was at 300 mhz 2:1 cache finally gave up or should I really give up?
Any suggestions?
------------------------------------------------
Pedro]

Game freeze fixed by removing Sound Manager extension: I read this on Accelerate Your Mac's web site. It seems that remove the Sound Manager extension can help get rid of crashes while playing games? This might not work for everyone as some games require certain versions of the Sound Manager but its worth a try :)

[L2G3 Upgrade/Gaming Freeze Tip: A reader sends a tip for those having problems with games and a L2G3 upgrade. (Note that disabling the Sound Manager also was reported to solve game problems on all Macs some time back when the SM updates were released)

"Hi Mike,
...I have a suggestion for eliminating problems with a Sonnet Crescendo L2/G3 upgraded computer. I have a Performa 6400 that I recently upgraded. I have a Creative Voodoo2 for 3D (I have an ixmicro Ult. Rez for 2D). When I upgraded to the G3 card I experienced intermittent freezes in Unreal (any version). I read that similar problems were occurring with the Sonnet card and ATI video cards.

Someone resolved the problem by disabling the sound manager extension (ver. 2.6). So I tried it. Guess what, no more freezes. This isn't exactly scientific, but it works. Maybe some type of conflict with the sound manager extension and the Crescendo extension? Don't know but it works like a champ....
Have a good one,
Dave"]

OS X on the 6400 update: Steve gave me a suggestion to try installing OS X on an HD from a computer that is OS X compatible and then move that HD to my 6400. this is one way to get OS X on the 6400 but will it still work? DP3 can install OS X onto an HFS+ partition so this part is taken care of but what about the file that the Boot Rom is looking for? The Mac OS is hard coded to look for a "blessed" system folder with a System file in it. OS X may not have te same naming or structure which could be another reason why the OS X installer tries to rewrite the OpenFirmware? Just because it might be possible to get the OS X operating system onto a HD that the 6400 can read does not mean it will see it as a bootable disk? I am going to give it a try and see what happens :) Thanks Steve. Click here to read my previous attempt at getting OS X Server installed.

[Hi Tom,
This is all speculation, I don't have a copy of DP3 or OSXS since I assumed it wouldn't work I never bothered to try, but...

Depending on the hardware (i.e. if Newer really does have the G3 enabled on startup and just activates the backside cache with their extension they might not need this) I think you'd always have to use something like BootX just so you could get the G3 up and running first.

To get it running without BootX would probably require a low-level driver of some kind, that would have to come from the accelerator manufacturer and may need assistance from Apple. I'm not sure that will ever happen.

One thing to keep in mind is that while the DP3 disc may not be HFS+ you can certainly boot from an HFS+ disk in OS X. It may be that they will ship OS X on a normal Mac CD when it comes time to retail it. This would eliminate the Open Firmware problem which is causing you problems right now. It may also be possible to install OS X on the 6400's hard drive (an HFS+ install) in a newer machine and move the drive back to the hard drive. Make sure you have a free partition to use for the OS X install or it'll erase the contents of your hard drive.

Let us know how if it works :).

Oh - one more thing. I'm running 9.0.4f3 and found an extension conflict that was causing the video acceleration from my ATI Rage Pro to get disabled (ATI drivers from the update) - it ended up being the Stuffit extensions. I could also zap the PRAM and the next boot would have video acceleration enabled. Go figure. It's nice and speedy now with Stuffit banished. I thought 9.0.1f1 was faster than this build, but thedifference is fairly small and 9.0.1f1 was pretty unstable.
Steve]

Newer MaxPower 2.0.2fc3 driver works?: I found this on MacFixIt's web site. This person had issues with the 2.0 version and says this preliminary version is working fine. But I had another person (Brent) tell me that the 2.0.2fc3 extension caused him trouble and the 1.0 version worked just fine? I'm not sure what Newer has fixed but I guess they are working n the Geo modem issue since they really didn't have any other problems :)

[MAXpowr and 6400: success Mike Sellers writes: "Since I was one of the first to wail when NewerTech's MAXpowr 2.0 didn't work on my Performa 6400/1800 with the 300/200/1MB card, I'd like to report that the new MAXpowr 2.0.2fc3 installed without a hitch and has worked flawlessly all weekend.']

Here is Brents letter. Thanks Brent.

[Tom,
I just learned some important information regarding Newer Technologie's Maxpowr G3 upgrades and thier drivers that might be of interest to your readers. Check it out:

I have a Performa 6400 running OS 8.6. I have had a Maxpowr G3 L2 300/200 card installed for about 6 months that works quite well with minimal problems. Up until yesterday I had been using version 1.0 of their drivers.

Yesterday I installed the latest software, "MAXpowr 2.0.2fc3 Installer" and made these discoveries:

1. Speed Doubler 8 (8.1.2) will crash the computer upon startup.

2. The installer and/or extension and control panel installed does something to the System File that Tech Tool 1.1.9 reports "System File Damaged. Replace with Fresh Copy." (However, using Conflict Catcher to "Scan Files for Damage" and Norton Utilities to check files shows no problems with the System File. Perhaps this is a problem with Tech Tool???)

I called Newer Tech and spoke to their technical support people and learned this:

1. Speed Doubler 8 is NOT COMPATIBLE with any of their cards or drivers. (This is strange as it seemed to work just fine with the 1.0 driver.)

2. They aren't sure about the "Damaged System File" but it MAY MODIFY it in some way. (I installed the drivers on a non-G3 Mac and found that Tech Tool reports that System File as being damaged, too! Also, replacing the System File with a fresh one will be ok until the computer is restarted using the new drivers. After that, the new fresh System File will now be reported as damaged.)

3. They claim Conflict Catcher 8 is NOT COMPATIBLE with their
cards or drivers either. They won't elaborate on what the conflict is but to my knowledge I haven't had this conflict with either versions 1.0 or 2.02 of their software. They recommend using Apple Extensions manager.

I asked to speak to their software authors or at least to contact me with better answers. I will let you know if I hear from them. I hope these claims aren't true as I don't want to give up my Speed Doubler or Conflict Catcher and am concerned about the "Damaged System Files!"
Thank You,
Brent]

Reply for Jeff: Jeff asked me not to reply to his email but to post it on my website. So Jeff, here it is :) First your original question.

[I own a 6400/200 and am in need of a new internal Hard Drive. I have been looking at a company named Maxtor that makes, all around, very good internal hard drives and servers. I was unsure of purchasing it or spending the massive amount of time going and shopping for something else because of possible incompatability. Please do not reply to this e-mail address. Instead post it on your site with an answer. Thnk you for your time.
Jeff]

The Maxtor IDE drive is a very good drive to upgrade your older IDE drive with. I myself installed a Maxtor 5.7G IDE HD in my 6400 and it runs great. Click here for my install review. Most any IDE drive will work on the 6400 It does not matter if it says Windows only as Apples Drive Setup is able to initialize these drives with no problems. Also it doesn't matter what speed you buy as the 6400 is only ATA-16 and all new IDE HD's are at least ATA-33 and up. They will connect and work but you won't see the full speed unless you also get an IDE/PCI card or install the drive in a MAc with an ATA-33 or faster IDE bus.

Beige G3 56k modem in the 6400?: Kirk sent me a letter asking if the 56k internal modem would work in the 6400's COMM II slot. Here is his letter.

[Hi Thomas,
Still enjoying perusing your 6400 CD, many thanks.
Been thinking of adding a 56k internal modem to my PM6500 (I have a 33.6 GeoPort internal installed now). Looks as if the internal modem for the older G3 will fit, as I pulled out one from a G3 Mac and compared it to the modem in my 6500. They have a very similar configuration and apparently will fit into the same slot. I looked at most of your web site info. and don't see where anyone has tried this. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Kirk]

I did some digging and here is what I found! In the Beige G3 Apple Take Apart Manual it has this listed.

[Modem Slot 112-pin connector to accept optional fax/modem card
Note: Does not carry PCI signals

Modem
Apple/GV
56.6K
661-1510]

In the 6400/6500 Apple Take Apart Manual I found this.

[Communications One internal expansion slot for modem or Ethernet card (PCI bus configuration). Depending on configuration, a modem card may already be installed.]

No part number was listed :( But at www.sunrem.com I did a search on the 661-1510 part number and they have it listed for both the Beige G3 and the 6500! The two Apple manuals seem to contradict each other if they really are the same part? But this wouldn't be the first time Apples printings are incorrect :) I assume to get the modem to work you would either need the software from the Beige G3 or the Apple Telecom (Serial) software which is on the OS 8.0 and 8.1 install CD's. If anyone has more info on this please email me.

Configure TCP/IP for games on a local network: I found this web site which has some good simple info on how to setup a local network to play network games.

Sonnet L2 G3 400Mhz card user letter: Steve sent me this letter just to say that is is well with his new upgrade :) Thanks Steve. To answer his question on getting max performance I would say that no CPU upgrade on any computer (Mac or PC) can get the full benefit unless it also has the newer sub systems structure from the systems they were designed to run on originally. That said you still get a great bang for the buck with a CPU upgrade :)

[ Hi Tom,
Just wanted to thank you again for the great 6400 zone site! I've been a reader for a while now and decided to jump in and buy sonnet's g3/400 card for my 6400/180. It works great! No flaws so far! I also installed 3dfx's voodoo3-2000 card and it works just fine with the card. I do wonder if I am getting max performance from the card or if this is a bit of overkill. Anyway, just thought I 'd let you know.
take care,
steve]

The G3 400 and the Voodoo3 would feel much faster on a 100Mhz mother board such as the B&W G3 but these on a 6400 gives you the fastest 6400 on the block!

Possible reason why Sonnets cards have issues with the Voodoo3 card?: Tiong has been helping my solve the problem of why the Voodoo3 card has problems with Sonnets L2 G3 and may have found a possible reason why? Tiong earlier found out that Sonnet has changed the design of the chip layout on some of their L2 G3 cards and also questioned that just being on a different bus speed may affect it? Thanks Tiong.

[Hi Tom,
I've been thinking, since Sonnet's new 400 has a 10x multiplier to get a true 400MHz when used in a 6400, then in a 6500 why would it run at 400Mhz? Could it be that Sonnet uses something in the card to sense the difference in the bus speed to cause this switching?

Maybe the 10x and 8x (for 6500 use) switching is causing all the problems Stefan had with the 400 cards he had with his 6500? Stefan did mentioned that Sonnet had given him a newer, updated design that was going to solve his problems but it didn't, until he got the 500 cards.
Thanks for any info you can give me! : )
Regards,
Tiong]

[Hi Tom,
I had asked Sonnet about the switching thing and they said that it is a possibility that that could be a cause towards instability. However, they didn't reveal whether it's a software or hardware switch.

Anyway, here's their reply:

Reply to: RE: Question regarding L2G3 upgardes Tiong,
The currently shipping 400Mhz card uses the 10X PPC755 chip from IBM so it will run at 400Mhz in your 6400. In a machine with a 50Mhz bus, it will set itself to 400Mhz by using an 8X multiplier.

I've heard of reports of the Voodoo3 cards having problems in certain machines with certain speed cards but I'm not sure if we have a fix in place. I know we've been in contact with 3dfx's engineering staff and we're working with them to insure compatibility with their upcoming Voodoo4 and Voodoo5 cards. It's quite possible that the way the 400Mhz card is setting itself might have something to do with any incompatibilities that might be generated. Then again, the drivers for the Voodoo3 cards are beta software which might also be a contributing factor.

I'd buy whatever card you want or can afford and try it out. If you buy one of our cards and you get conflicts with any of your hardware or software, you have 30 days to return it for a full refund (less the original shipping charge).

Neal McAuley
End User Account Executive
Sonnet Technologies
(800) 786-6260 Ext. 46
neal.mcauley@sonnettech.com

Notice that they thought I have a 6400? ;-P

Hmm.... about the switching thing, I guess it is possible but then it may not be too? I mean if it were the switching thing, then wouldn't my 300 get the same problem as the 400? More confused now!

Oh well, got to save energy to make decision as to get the 400 or 500.
Regards,
Tiong]

Tiong also sent me some MacBench 5 scores from his over clocked 300Mhz card (to 375) and Stefans 500Mhz card.

Tiongs 375Mhz L2 G3
CPU=1200
FPU=1242

Stefans 500Mhz L2 G3
CPU=1502
FPU=2008

Site Logo contest winners!: Well the contest has ended and I now have the 1st place winner posted at the top of this page! Congratulations go to Robert as the First Place winner. His entry was #4. Second and Third places both go to Craig for entry #'s 16 and 32. I will be emailing you both to get shipping addresses for your new "The 6400 Zone" CD's. Also, thanks to all the other participants for submitting all these great logos! I will be holding on to them for future use :)

128M Dimm usage update: Michael wrote to let me know that MacSolutions who once had the 128M Dimm listed for the 6400 now seems to have changed their ads :( Thanks Michael.

[I had been keeping up with the info and debate about 128MB DIMMs in the 6400/6500, and that MacSolutions had 128MB DIMMs that were actually made at 2k refresh rates. I was actually considering going ahead and buying a 128MB DIMM to try it out and see if it worked right, if not I'd just return it for a 64, but I just went to MacSolutions site just now <http://www.macsolutions.com and see that they have two amendments: that the 128MB FPM DIMM will not work in the 6400 and that the 128MB EDO DIMM will not work in the 6500. Bummer! :(
I wonder if someone actually ordered one of these from them and found out first-hand that it didn't work, or if they tested it themselves? I had actually been getting up hope about this for a while and I almost don't want to give up on it this easily. Oh well.
Michael]

I suspect they did it do to increased traffic from my site and didn't want to sell a bunch of them if they won't work?

More bad news with OS X Server and DP3 which includes AQUA: Joey wrote to let us know he tried both on his 6400 and had the same problem I did! Neither can change the OpenFirmware on the 6400 to allow it to boot to a UNIX partition on the install CD to complete the install. Even if we could get it installed I bet the OpenFirmware change is still needed to tell your 6400 to look for a UNIX partition to boot from? So even the latest developer release from Apple still won't work :( Thanks Joey. Click here to read more on this topic.

[Here's a little bad news on OS X Server and OS X DP3. Maybe this is isolated to me, because I seem to be the only one I've found that's crazy enough to try it.
I decided I would see if I could get either of those two running on my 6400/180, no G3 upgrade.
To get the installer to let me do it I checked the unsupported download option, once I found it in the Special menu. However, big problems followed. It wouldn't install because it said that the BootX control panel would have no effect on my computer. Then it restarted my computer. Now when I start the computer (I only get video from the built in video, not the ATI
XclaimVR) the screen just says "bootr: unknown word" at the top. If I restart once or twice and/or try to boot from a cd-rom (which it will not do) it gives that message again then follows it with something to the effect of:

Bootware 2.0
bootr: unknown word
type bye <return for MacOS
type boot <return to continue boot process

Typing "boot" gives an error, while typing "bye" starts the system. Although now I don't know how to fix the problem. Any input you or anyone else might have would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime I'll be trying whatever I can think of.
Joey]

By the way zapping the PRAM got my 6400 to boot normally again incase anyone else wants to try.

BeOS and OS 9: Tim writes that he was unable to get the BeOS to run on his G3 6400 with OS 9 installed. Reverting to OS 8.6 fixed it. Thanks Tim. Click here for more on the BeOS and the 6400.

[Thanks for the reply!
Actually, we just found out today that BeOS is NOT compatible with Mac OS9. So THAT was the problem = The Crescendo works great with it = A useful bit of info they don't bother telling you, eh? Thanks again.
Tim]

I don't blame BeOS for not telling us or even knowing about this issue since they pretty much dropped the Mac platform once they could not code for Apples G3 Macs :(

Newer Lives!: I got this info from MacsOnly. Sounds like Newer is going to stay around awhile. Great :)

[Newer Technology Lives! As we expected, a major NewerTech supplier and creditor, Tri-M, invested in NewerTech, took over management and named four members of NewerTech's Board of Directors. From NewerTech's Communications Director Eric Dahlinger, "Newer Technology announces an equity partnership with Tri-M Technologies (S) Limited of Singapore. Gerald Minjoot, managing director, Tri-M stated, 'Tri-M is delighted to combine the quality culture of Tri-M and its manufacturing capability with the creative culture of new product development at Newer Technology. This combination will propel Newer Technology into years of future growth and industry leadership.' Tri-M provides quality built, fully tested turnkey products for Newer Technology. Tri-M, fully ISO 9001 rated, has earned the highly prestigious Singapore Award of Excellence. 'In fact, Tri-M has produced the highest quality products that Newer Technology has ever offered,' said James Wiebe, Newer Technology founder and vice president of engineering." Gerald Minjoot is the new CEO.]

And here's some news from Daniel he got from Newer about the status of their L2 G3 upgrades. Thanks Daniel!

[Hi Tom.
VERY GOOD NEWS!
I was unable to get a card from upgradestuff.com, so I contacted Newer to get more info about the availability of the card later this year. This is the reply that I've got from them:
Daniel,

This product is delayed because we did a poor job of forecasting demand and 300MHz chips are constrained. We aren't likely to get more new product until late March.

Here's what's currently available for your machine.

Part# Description Speed Street Status
7MXLB+300/200 MAXpowr G3-L2 300/200MHz 750 w/1MB 1100 $299 Constrained
7MXLB300/150 MAXpowr G3-L2 300/150MHz 750 w/512K 975 $249 Constrained

I am very sorry for the delay and any inconvenience that this may have caused!
Tim

Please pass this info via your web site
Thanks!]

Just to note that the reader who did order a Newer 260Mhz card from upgradestuff.com said it was for a 4400 only :( Bummer! At least it sounds like Newer will once again sell the 6400/6500 version once they get back up to full production.

Ethernet 2.0.4 needed for Geo modem and Newers L2 G3: And here is some good news for Newer users with Geo modems. Fumiaki writes that using the Apple Ethernet extension 2.0.4 might fix the problems with running the Geo modem? This must be why Sonnet includes it with their drivers also? According to Fumiaki it seems that the Ethernet 2.0.4 extension came with OS 8.0/8.1 but became part of the System file in OS 8.5 and up. I guess the Geo modem is still looking for this extension for some reason and having it installed fixes the port issues with the Geo modem? Thanks Fumiaki

[As to the GeoPort Modem issue, I would like to share with you a cure Newer's engineering team did discover for me last December, and quote below the last email I received from their technical support supervisor for your reference. (I cannot be however 100% certain about the integrity of this solution, as shortly after they found the cure for me, I moved on to a 56K modem and then to ISDN.)
Best regards,
Fumiaki

Have you checked to make sure that you have Ethernet Built in version 2.0.4? We have noticed that you have to have it to work correctly. I just found out that this has caused several problems with this issue and resolved most. Let me know if it works for you, thanks.
Steve

You don't need to go backwards in the OS, just drop the extension into your extension folder and see if it solves your problems. Engineering says the cards don't work without this extension.
If this doesn't resolve your problem please let me know, we have a card that we need tested to see if it solves this issue, engineering believes it does, but we don't have enough machines to be confident without some feedback from end users. But this is only done if the other troubleshooting has been completed to make sure that it isn't an issue that is not related to our product.
Steve]

New Sonnet 500Mhz L2 G3 for the 6500 works with the Voodoo3: I found some info on Accelerate Your Mac's web site about Sonnets new 500Mhz card working with the Voodoo3. Later Tiong sent me some more info he got from xxx who wrote the letter to Accelerate Your Mac. Thanks guys.

From XLR8

[Sonnet L2G3/500 Solves Video Card Issues: The latest Sonnet entry in the Owner's CPU Upgrade Reviews database from 6500 owner Stefan Jeglinski reports that problems he saw with the G3/400 upgrade and PCI video cards (Voodoo3 or Rage128) were solved by the new design G3/500 card.]

From Tiong

[Hi Thomas,
I have just received an e-mail from one of the guys who tried my display preference file to try to get his V3 working with his Sonnet without the L2G3 bug.

He has good news for 64/6500 users who want both the L2G3 and V3 upgrades. Below is his message and my comments below that:

"I'm pleased to report that the Sonnet 500 card displays none of the freeze issues that the 400 card showed (in 6500). Works well with a dual monitor or single monitor setup with either an ATI RagePro or a Voodoo3 2000. I don't hang out too much at the 3dfx forum, but if you still do, please feel free to pass this info on. If anybody wants to contact me for more info, feel free to forward my address.
Regards,
Stefan"

My thoughts:
I think that it is possible that it is not just the 500 L2 G3. I'm speculating that recently shipped Sonnets (which is smaller in overall size, and shorter heatsink - no longer touches 64MB RAM modules) have been redesigned to be more compatible. However, I may be wrong and it could just be Crescendo 1.4.1?

Also, notice that he mentioned ATI's Rage Pro, and not Rage 128. I will ask him if he had any experience with the Rage 128 chips (Orion, etc.), although judging from ATI's recent comments, I'd doubt that the Rage 128 based cards will work. Regards,
Tiong]

[Hi Tom,

Thought that maybe you'd like an update to some questions I had asked Stefan. Here's my questions and his answers:

1. Is your Sonnet 500 of a newer design? I have noticed that the newer
Sonnet cards are smaller in size than the older ones. Also, the newer Sonnet
cards have heatsinks that no longer touch the RAM, especially if you have
64MB modules installed.

I no longer have the 400 card (got rid of that thing in a hurry), but from memory... Seemed to me the 500 card and the 400 card had about the same form factor. The 500 also seems to be slightly better about not touching the RAM, but I would guess that the difference was small enough that it was just a manufacturing variance, not a design change. What I -did- notice was that (even obscured by that humongous heatsink) the electronic design was -substantially- different between the 400 and the 500. Different components, different layout. I don't know why this should be, I would have expected the boards to be the same, the only difference being a 10x clock ratio rather than an 8x. Hard to believe the clock-multiplier required -that- much different of a design. The time frame for me receiving the two cards (3 actually, I was on my second 400) was such that I found it unlikely that I had a freshly designed and built 500, but who knows? The fact that the 500 worked but that a 400 and a modified 400 card (modified for me by Sonnet) did not, and that the 2 cards are plainly different electronically, has led me to the conclusion that the 400 design is somehow defective. Hopefully my return of -2- 400 cards will help Sonnet realize in some small way that they need to own up. I would dearly love to know the return rate on the 400 cards. I'm trying to talk MacGurus into letting me know that info, but I kinda doubt they'll clue me in :-) But I would also say that MacGurus has been nothing short of spectacular in holding my return open while I went though all this madness. Good outfit.

2. The old (very hard to find) ATI Rage Pros worked with Sonnet's L2G3. I
wonder if your Rage Pro is a newer card, like the Xclaim VR plus (8MB).

What I have precisely is one of those 8Meg OEM Rage Pros from SmallDog. I never saw it identified as a VR plus, but frankly, I don't know -what- it is defined as. The ATI installer actually doesn't recognize the card as anything other than ATI, but the ATI control panel and extensions apparently recognized it fine. One of my tests BTW was an -exhaustive- review of every piece of ATI software I could find. I think I documented about 8-9 different sets of ATI software I tried. Of course, the key here was that the exact same freeze happened with the Voodoo card as well (all ATI extensions banished, even with the RageII on-board chip still there). I'm pretty convinced now the ATI was never the culprit (which I'm sure will disappoint some :-).

3. Did you try a Rage 128 based card, like the Rage Orion? ATI recently
asked all Rage 128 based 64/6500 customers to return/not use the cards as
they have found a 60% failure rate with 64/6500 systems!

Well, that's pretty damn interesting, but no, I didn't try such a card. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you or anybody else have.
Regards,
Stefan

And here's some of my thoughts:
I had asked Stefan about the design of the Sonnet as I have noticed that my "newer" Sonnet is of a very different design from my old Sonnet. Physically, the overall dimensions of the new Sonnet is slightly smaller. Also, the heatsink no longer touches the 64MB RAM, and the placement of all supporting chips/components have been drastically changed.

The reason I had asked about this is because I think this may be one of the contributing factors to my success with V3 using only a single monitor, since my weird display pref file didn't work for anyone.

Also, during my own troubleshooting of the L2G3 bug, I had switched my Sonnet while still using the dual monitor trick. It was a little while after I had switched that I had realized that I can successfully use the V3 with just one monitor. However, at that time, my older Sonnet had already been sold and I couldn't test to see if it was the Sonnet that made the difference.

And speaking of that, I was wondering, if there is any possibility for you to set up a test of an older vs. newer Sonnet. If you don't have time, I am willing to do the test for you but I think I'll need you help in acquiring a loan unit of the older Sonnet from Sonnet. What are your thoughts?

Sorry to have bombarded you with so many long e-mails this few days!
Thanks! : )
Regards,
Tiong]

Tiong may be on to something here. Its possible that Sonnet had to totally redesign their cards to work with the 10x G3 CPU's and this change fixed the issues with the Voodoo3? Or, maybe they just found some issues and fixed them which made the Voodoo3 work? Any comments from other recently acquired Sonnet L2 G3 cards are appreciated :) Thanks.

Using PowerLogix's Cache Profiler to change the features of Sonnets L2 G3: In the past I posted info on how to hack the Sonnet Crescendo to use utilities such as Cache Profiler to turn off Speculative Addressing to increase system stability. Tiong sends word that he found other useful and enhancing features from Cache Profiler. Thanks Tiong.

[Hi Tom,
Just want to let you know some interesting things I found out with one and a half weeks of playing around with PowerLogix's G3/4 Cache Profiler 1.3.

First off, I have some good news for users of the Sonnet overclocker! As everyone who used the overclocker found out, if you overclock by more than 50MHz, there will be some temperature increase. If you are concerned about this, I have found a way to get some free cooling when using normal applications like Word, Internet Explorer, or Netscape (basically, all non processor intensive applications).

By using PowerLogix's Cache Profiler, and enabling their Dynamic Power Management option, I have found that when running non-intensive applications, I usually run the Sonnet 4 degrees C cooler. Only when running processor intensive apps (like Unreal Tournament) do I see no immediate cooling effect. However, mileage may vary as I do have some custom fans blowing at my Sonnet's heatsink, but I'd like to see some readers try this and see if they get the same free cooling effects I got.

Some other notes about the way I use the Cache Profiler:

1. I have kept Speculative Access enabled. This is Sonnet's default. If I disable Speculative Access, the finder becomes unresponsive, especially when launching programs - there is a very long pause, about 5-10 seconds, after I double click, before the app will launch.

2. I have disabled the "Write Thru mode" for the cache as having it enabled slows my 375MHz G3 to stock 300MHz processor benchmark score, using Macbench 5.0 (did this five times to verify result).

3. Instead of changing Sonnet's Crescendo extension to scri (as suggested in one of your pages), I kept it as INIT, and used ResEdit to change the Cache Profiler's extension to INIT (from scri). This is because if I change Crescendo to scri, my 6500 becomes unstable, especially at startup. Changing Cache Profiler to INIT makes my system super stable, as like before.

4. I also played with cache speed. Keeping it at the default 2:1 (cache speed at 187.5) ratio, my 6500 is super stable. Trying to use a faster speed (3:2, cache speed becomes 250) is impossible. System will crash once I select that speed. Lower speeds (5:2, 150MHZ, and 3:1, 125MHz) is stable and although normal usage runs at the same (slightly cooler) temperatures, the processor will cool down even faster (compared with 2:1) if I leave my Mac at idle. Slower cache speeds affect processor benchmarks but not FPU benchmarks (any ideas why?). However, games do lose some FPS, although almost negligible (0.5 - 1 fps at 5:2, and 1 - 2 fps at 3:1). But this loss is noticeable when there is a lot of action going on in games, especially when many players/bots are fragging each other in UT.

There have been no conflicts to speak of whatsoever so far. And the free (since the Cache Profiler is free) cooling effect has been with me since I started this test.

Other notes about my system:
PowerMac 6500, Sonnet L2G3 300MHz/1MB @ 375MHz, Crescendo 1.4.1, 128MB, RAM DOUBLER9 set at 240MB and File Mapping on, Voodoo3 3000 PCI, b10 drivers (mentioned before that this set is 1-2fps faster than B11), Farallon 10/100 PCI Ethernet card, OS 8.6.

I have also set Crescendo to load first followed by the Cache Profiler by adding a space to the names of both extensions.

I hope you find this info useful. And it'll be interesting to see if anyone can duplicate the free cooling effect. I hope others will! : )
Regards,
Tiong]

Note that Tiong does mention he has a few extra fans in his case which might help to cool his unit faster with Dynamic Power Management so your benefits might not be as dramatic?

Update on OrangeLink Firewire/USB card and the 6500: Thomas sent me a reply he got from OrangeMicro on the status of their Firewire/USB card and the 6500. Thanks Thomas.

[Here's the reply I got from Orange Micro:

The OrangeLink FireWire/USB PCI board is currently not compatible with the following Macintosh systems:

* Power Macintosh 6500
* Power Macintosh 5500
* 20th Anniversary Macintosh

This is due to hardware limitation on these systems that disallow access to PCI expansion cards that have a PCI bridge. A bridge chip allows any hardware developer to have two features on one PCI card (in this case, FireWire and USB).

We have been communicating daily with Apple computer on this issue. Apple has duplicated this problem and is researching the best approach to fixing this issue. No guarantee that a fix will be made but we are trying our best to overcome the hardware limitation on these Macintosh models.

p.s. The OrangeLink FireWire PCI board however is compatible with the above systems, some applications may require a faster processor and faster hard drive than what comes with these systems.

The Orange Micro Support Team

From talking to them over the phone....it does not seem promising. Would you know if the RocketFire FireWire/USB card will work on the PowerPC 6500? MacInTouch site says one thing...but the company's site says another.....any input is appreciated.

What's bad is that I'm out $12 bucks for shipping...and will have to incur additional cost for the return....just because Orange Micro did not fully test these cards....at that cost...I could've bought a USB card without all the hassle. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Thomas]

All I know about the RapidFire card is from reading the press release on PowerLogix's web site. It says that it will work with the 6500 but I guess we won't know until the card is finished and shipping. Click here for more on this topic.

OS 9 and the internal GV modem on a 6400 work!: I found a posting on Apples 6400 forums from John who has an internal GV modem in his 6400 and it works with OS 9. I emailed him for more info and here is his reply. Thanks John.

[Hello Tom,
Here is my configuration.

Performa 6400/180
512 L2 Cache
80 megs ram
1.6 gig HD
GV Platinum V 28.8 internal modem using GV 28.8-K56 for ARA 3.0 script
OS 9

I use the modem in this. I have remote access installed and running for when my girlfriend , who has a better ISP from out of town, is here and we can use her settings. The only problem I have with this set up is that the volume of my modem is never turned on. I have to go into the sound control panel under OS 9 and through the input setting check the box that says play sound thorugh output devise. I might be one of the only ones that likes the sound of modem working, but I find it a pain to have to do this all the time.

I have no express modem control panel installed. Gave up on MegaPhone a long time ago, and I still fax.
Hope this helps.
John]

So getting online, faxing, and the modem control panel work with the GV internal modem but still no word on MegaPhone and if faxing works with the Geo modem?

OS 9 and disk access slow?: Regis writes that he reverted to OS 8.6 because he noticed his HD access has slowed down with OS 9 installed. Thanks Regis. I wonder if he had SpeedDoubler installed with OS 8.6 which is not compatible in OS 9? This might cause the slow down noticed?

[Hello Tom,
I finally go back to good old Mac OS 8.6 after upgrading my stock IDE disk with a Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 Gb. Under OS9, the speed was really too slow, especially for little files. With OS 8.6, I have a transfer rate of 9350 Kb/s on reading and 8240 Kb/s on writing, and fast access even with little files. So I keep my first impression: OS9 is a bottleneck for disk access (and I think for video) on our 6400. With 10 Gb, I just keep a partition with minimum OS9 only to do audio stuff with performer. But I'm really asking me questions about a "new OS" so slow and deceptive.

For user of Norton Utilities: if under OS 8.6 use version 5.0.1 which is on the disk you have. Don't update to 5.0.2 on the Web, because it don't work with 8.6 (in my case). But with OS 9, use 5.0.2 to gain a little speed. Who is the guys who tells us that microcomputers are going more and more friendly. Sometimes, I remember my old Apple II... time where all was simple.
Regis]

OS 9.0.2 speeds up on the 6400: Speaking of slugishness with OS 9, I just found this info on Accelerate Your Mac's site from a 6400 owner that installed a copy of OS 9.0.2 and says it's much faster then OS 9. I guess he got the copy of OS 9.0.2 from the purchase of a new Mac?

[OS 9.0.2 on 6400 w/G3 Upgrade: A reader notes the new OS seems much faster on his older Mac than OS 9.0

"Regarding OS 9.0.2 - I've been using a final candidate version of OS 9.0.2 for a couple weeks now on my G3 upgraded 6400. Previously, I had run OS 9 only to switch back to OS 8.6 because the OS was so sluggish.

I was also experiencing "the delay" when the finder would load at start up Sometimes it would last as much as three minutes. After I installed the beta updater there was a dramatic change for the better. I'm ready to trash my OS 8.6 system folder. OS 9.0.2 is much much faster on my machine and much more stable. In fact, it's been more stable than OS 8.6 and it feels as if it's running about as fast as OS 8.6 was with Speed Doubler installed. It might be just a hair slower than OS 8.6, (I've not run any tests, just switched back and forth a few times and compared) but it's close enough that I'm sticking with OS 9 if only because I no longer get the finder crashes with it like I did after I upgraded to the G3 card with OS 8.6. Good job Apple.
Zoot"

I can't wait for the public release of the OS 9 update. One tip noted here previously, disabling the 'Multiple Users' control panel and extension seemed to improve responsiveness in the Finder on my older Macs running OS 9.]

OS 9 and Apples TV/FM system compatibility?: Eric installed OS 9 and found his TV/FM system not working any more? He kept getting hardware not detected errors. Reverting back to OS 8.6 fixed it. Thanks Eric. Anyone else have this problem?

OS 9 Multiple Users- Energy Saver Settings Not Held: Here is an Apple TIL on how to fix this issue.

http://til.info.apple.com/techinfo.nsf/artnum/n31188

Airport 1.1 software download: Here is an Apple TIL to download Airport 1.1 software

http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11570

Now here is the cool part! You don't need to have an Airport compatible Mac any more to use the base station. This software package even though Apple lists that you need one of these newer Macs will work on older Macs. You don't need to run the installer to get the software. It is no longer in a Tome. It is in the base station folder and can be ran right from the self mounted disk image. I just tried and it worked for me even though I don't own a base station.

Now for the scary part! I might not own a base station but the software found 5 other base stations on my network! Yes there was even one that had a name of "Cox @ Home"? Not sure if someone named theirs like this or if Cox owns one? Just incase the owners of these are reading this, I was unable to access any of them as they were all passworded out but I wanted you all to know that at least on a cable network they are visible.

Reader Request on Newer G3 info: Russ would like to hear from anyone thats used the Newer L2 G3 in a heavily used business environment. I reminded him that they are no longer being produced but he still is interested in this. Thanks.

[Hi, I've been following your pages on L2 upgrades and have almost made up my mind. I think I'd like to get the Newer 300/200 card, but I was wondering if any of your readers have had experience in a work environment. I specfically use 8.6 with Quark 4.1, Illustrator 7 and Photoshop 5.5 in a printing company. Does anybody have day in day out observations of these programs? It would really help me justify the expense on our limited budget.
Thanks,
Russ
skylnprntg@aol.com]

My new popup menu doesn't working in older browsers: Russ wrote to let me know that my new popup menu for the Hot Topics list gives him errors when he tries to use it. He is running AOL 3.0. Thanks for the info Russ. If anyone with HTML experience can help me correct this I would appreciate it. I have tried it with AOL 4.0 and Netscape 4.6-4.7 and they all work fine.

[ Just tried your Pop up menu and got this:

Could not find a procedure to handle method "POST" of URL
"/_ht_a/TMK12v/(Empty Reference!)" on members.
For further assistance, contact the server administrator


AOL 3.0 built in browser. Just the pop up menu. The pop up pops up but every selection goes to the error page. The "go" button has selectable text in it, not just a button that clicks.
Good luck
Russ]

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in purchasing a CD with my entire up-to-date site as well as my 6400 Take Apart manual plus many of the past Just Updates included? I think this would be a great idea for anyone who hasn't been able to keep up or never saw my site until recently. Also for those of you with Sherlock the CD is even better cause you can tell Sherlock to index the CD and then you can do a search on any topic and if I ever talked about it, you'll find it! I have info as far back as mid 1997. I'm asking $15 which includes shipping for US residents (not sure what the price for international shipments would be yet?) and I will even include a few surprises! To make this offer even juicier I can add some download that you've been trying to get but just couldn't for some reason. Lets put my cable modem to work :)

I found a great way to earn some money while getting great deals to you on Macintosh books and software plus they have all kinds of other books, music, and more. Please click on the amazon.com link on the top of this page whenever you feel like purchasing something to help sponsor this site. If you're unsure of what you want and wish to get a list of Mac related items, just type Macintosh in the search field on their home page and you will be presented with many choices to select.

Jeff did some digging in to the new code that displays the frames on my site with AOL ads and found a link that can be used which will not show those annoying ads. Here is the address. http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/TMK12v/home.html
Thanks Jeff, for sending this info. PS don't let AOL find out :)

Here's an even better link http://members.aol.com/zone6400 I like this one better :)

I use a Performa 6400/180 OS 8.6, Performa 6400/200 OS 8.6, B&W G3/350 OS 8.6, PowerBook G3/233 OS 9, and a PowerBook DUO 270c OS 7.5.5. All of the software updates posted here are currently running on one or the other with minimal problems. If I do encounter a problem, I will post it for all to read and respond to. If you are having any problems and would like help just email me and if I can answer it I will, or I will post it here for others to read and respond to.