Fixing an OS X software update problem:

Safari 1.2

Tasos Ioannidis
I had the same problem that another reader mentioned where Java 1.4.2 would not show on the software update, or would not install asking for the 1.4.1 update, etc. In my case, doing a finder search for all files containing the term softwareupdate (which included preference files, etc.) and deleting them, resolved the problem. Apparently resetting software update files was necessary. After that Java 1.4.2 installed fine.

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A common OS X theme unfortunately -- when problems occur search on words and delete pref files. Another pref problem test is switching users. The good news is the UNIX naming conventions and OS X file organization helps with finding things. Also, OS X find is super fast. Bad news is the recurrent issue with bad prefs.

Mac OS 8 and 9: Compatibility With Macintosh Computers

Mac OS 8 and 9: Compatibility With Macintosh ComputersVery nice Apple knowledge base article. Credit again to low end mac!

Network Beacon: share an iPhoto library across the internet

I think this is a front end for some basic BSD Unix functionality. It sounds interesting, one person uses it to share iPhoto libraries across the internet. I'm trying to learn more about it...

Welcome to Chaotic Software

... Network Beacon is a Mac OS X application that enables you to publish services on a computer or to serve as a proxy for services on other computers or devices. Network Beacon is distributed as freeware...

Update 3/9/09: Using NB to create SSH access tunnels.

Keyspan : USB Card for PCI Mac

Keyspan : USB Card

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A few are available in the channel. This might be worthwhile at about $20 or so ...

A few notes from very helpful usenet folks on the USB cards [1],[2]

... If you want to save time just stop in at the computer section of Circuit City and pick up the ADS 2 port USB card. It's in a red yellow and white box. It works with the Apple USB software 1.4.1 and OS 8.6. I bought one last November for $15.00.

... that would be the 20-ish dollar KeySpan USB card, then... Plenty cheap,
works under 8.6, haven't had a problem with mine yet...
... currently, my rodent, CD burner, and memory-card reader
are the only things using USB in my installation.

... I put one of those in my PowerMac 8600 about 3 years ago, and it is
still going strong. It works with every USB device I ever threw at it,
and I bought it in the first place to use a USB printer.

I don't think that Apple provided drivers for these cards until OS 9,
and the software is still available for download at Apple's site. It's
called "USB Card Support", and it's at version 1.4.1 [3]

Since I bought my Keyspan USB card when I was using OS 8.6, Keyspan
provided drivers for their card so it would work with OS 8.6. Once OS 9
came out and those drivers no longer worked, Apple's drivers were just
released and worked perfectly with the card. You can check to see if
those drivers will work with OS 8.6.

BTW-USB 1 CD writers are so slow, you'd always be burning at 1 or 2xs
speeds. They don't write any faster than that.

From Apple [3] (1.4.1)

USB Adapter Card Support requires a PowerPC(TM)-based Macintosh computer with PCI or CardBus slots, Mac OS 8.6 or later, and a USB adapter card.

This software cannot be installed on Macintosh computers with built-in USB ports. These computers already include support for built-in USB ports and USB PCI adapter cards.

Important: Mac OS versions 9.1 and later include a later version of this software. Installing USB Adapter Card Support 1.4.1 over Mac OS 9.1, 9.2 or later could result in the USB adapter card not working.

Important: This software supports only USB cards that comply with the Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI) specification and may not work with every USB adapter card.

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[1] http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&threadm=Steve-092769.13334907022004%40comcast.ash.giganews.com&rnum=2

[2] http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&threadm=FReVb.13260%24XF6.253664%40typhoon.sonic.net&rnum=1

[3] http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macos/435 and
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31132#English

Low End Mac and PCI USB cards

USB Cards for PCI Macs

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Great resource for an old Mac. This lists some PCI USB cards. Great discussion of the 7200/90 with resources>.

iPod: How to Put Into Disk Mode

iPod: How to Put Into Disk Mode

When troubleshooting an issue with your iPod, it's sometimes helpful to manually put it into Disk Mode.

Putting iPod into Disk Mode

1. Plug the iPod Power Adapter into an electrical outlet and connect iPod to the power adapter.
2. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Set it to Hold, then turn it off again.) See technical document 60951, 'iPod: About the Hold Switch'.
3. Press and hold the Play/Pause and Menu buttons until the Apple/iPod logo appears. This resets iPod. Note: When you reset iPod all your music and data files are saved, but some customized settings may be lost.
4. When the Apple logo appears, immediately press and hold the Previous and Next buttons until the Disk Mode screen appears. (For iPod Software 1.0 through 1.1, a FireWire logo appears on the screen).
5. Disconnect iPod from the power adapter and connect it to your computer.

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I'd like to know how this is supposed to be useful.

Mac OS 8.6 and OS 9: Unable to check "protect system folder" -- grayed out

Google Groups: View Thread "Protection greyed out"

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In OS 8 and possibly 9 there was a nice feature called "protect system folder". Provided a little protection. Unfortunately if one enabled multiple users, or turned on file sharing, the checkboxes became enigmatically grayed out. Very confusing.

I note this here because I recently set up a legacy OS 8.6 system in a donation computer. I saw the gray text and dimly remembered I'd found the explanation on the web about two years ago. This time I couldn't find it on the web, but usenet (google groups) came through!

Now it's on the web again.

john

meta: gray, grey, greyed out, grayed out, MacOS, Mac Classic, System 7.5, System 8.x, 8.6, 9.1