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Silverlining 5.8.2 may cause startup crashes on Nubus-based Macs

Scott Richardson had startup crashes after updating to Silverlining 5.8.2 . He contacted La Cie and they replied: "We are aware of this problem, and recommend that you use the Silverlining 5.8.1 driver until we can fix this problem. It is localized to Nubus-based Macs, and does not effect PCI Power Macs."

Xclaim cards and UMAX computers: A reply from UMAX

Regarding our previous report of a problem between Xclaim cards and UMAX C500 computers, UMAX has replied:

"UMAX has not found compatibility issues with the ATI Xclaim 3D graphics cards. However, you must make sure that no cables or monitor adaptors are plugged into the on-board video port. Once you have determined that nothing is plugged into the on-board video port, zap the Parameter RAM.

To use the ATI card with on-board video, you must change the startup monitor in the Monitors & Sound control panel under the "Arrange" icon. If only 1 of the 2 monitors … Read more

Aladdin replies regarding withdrawal of StuffIt Expander

From Aladdin comes this information regarding StuffIt Expander 4.5:

"As has been noted, Aladdin Systems has temporarily withdrawn its release of StuffIt Expander 4.5. The reasons for this are benign, and those who have downloaded it may continue to use it without concern.

There were issues with the modification of the StuffIt Expander web page that could not be immediately addressed. Aladdin Technical Support wished to release a statement regarding messages that current users of the StuffIt Engine 4.0 might see after installing StuffIt Expander 4.5. Traditionally, StuffIt Expander has required a same version of … Read more

Microsoft Internet Explorer and ObjectSupportLib

Following up on a previous report:

Okay. You can stop sending me reports as to whether or not Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 does or does not install ObjectSupportLib (in Mac OS 8 especially). Based on the emails I have received, I am convinced that it definitely does install it in some cases, and definitely does not install it in other cases. The question that remains is: what determines when it does or does not get installed?

Meanwhile, for those of you new to this OSL issue, the problem is that OSL should not get installed in Mac OS 8, because … Read more

Update expected today to fix 128-bit encryption problem with Explorer 4.0; MacFixIt gets mentioned in articles

An article on ZDNet confirms the previously reported bug with the 128-bit encryption version of Explorer 4.0 and adds that an updated version that fixes the bug should be posted by today. The article also mentions MacFixIt: "The bug was first brought to Microsoft's attention by users who wrote to the macfixit.com site to complain." A News.com article also covers this issue.

MacFixIt was also mentioned in an article about Explorer from the Boston Globe. This article more generally covers all the bug reports regarding Explorer and Outlook Express.

Explorer's Outlook Express: update is out; other issues

Outlook Express 4.0c is out (thanks, Version Tracker). Microsoft states that it fixes the " contact name issue" (as previously mentioned here): "The Contact Name issue can cause e-mail messages to be be unintentionally sent to people you did not intend. The problem occurs when you put an e-mail address into Outlook Express's address book without first filling in one of the name fields (either the first or last name). When both name fields are left blank, any message you send will include the unintended e-mail address(es) on the 'cc:' line."

It dos not … Read more

Mac OS 8.1 and Quarterdeck conflict: a statement from StarNine

From StarNine comes this announcement: There is an incompatibility between all current versions of the Chooser Extensions QD Mail (and MS Mail) and Mac OS 8.1. The system will not boot if the QD/MS Mail driver is active: it gives an error during the boot process. StarNine/Quarterdeck is fixing this incompatibility. We are now doing internal tests on a fixed version of the QD Mail driver and Quarterdeck Mail client application, and expect to go into beta testing in early December. The fix will be free to Quarterdeck Mail version 4 customers, and there will be discounts … Read more

Mac OS 8.1's HFS and non Apple CD-ROM drives

The March issue of Macworld has an article on HFS by Henry Bortman. It's worth reading. Of special note is the description of a problem that can occur if you don't have an Apple CD-ROM drive (such as with a Mac clone): "Because the Mac OS 8.1 CD doesn't include drivers for non-Apple CD-ROM drives, you won't be able to boot your Mac clone from the CD. Instead, you'll need two external hard drives to convert to HFS : one to back up your data, and another on which to install Mac OS 8.… Read more

Mac OS 8.1's HFS needs Text Encoding Converter

Todd Bangerter noted the following quote from the " About Mac OS Extended Format" file included on the 8.1 Update: "Text Encoding Converter Extension and Text Encoding Folder WARNING Proper installation of Mac OS 8.1 will automatically place the Text Encoding Converter extension and the Text Encoding folder in the System Folder. In order for Mac OS Extended format to function properly, you must not move or delete these files."

Mac OS 8.1 miscellany: Mac OS Installer Helper; bugs and damaged resources?

Help with Installing Charles Wiltgen has created a utility called Mac OS Installer Helper that is designed to help you "migrate without the migraine after a Clean Install of Mac OS. If you normally do Clean Installs, then manually bring over all of your Preferences, Control Panels, Extensions, etc., then this utility is for you." (Thanks, Robert Hammen.)

Bugs fixed and not fixed Rich Bottiglieri writes: "The bug with dragging multiple files to the trash from the Find File window has not been fixed with Mac OS 8.1. You still have to drag them one by … Read more