Thursday August 02, 2007

- Recent Updates: Problems and Fixes - Eric - 21:49:21

As I was away for 3 days to refill my battery, Apple and third parties have released many updates. Hereafter is a summary:

- AirPort Extreme Update 2007-004:

This update is recommended for all Intel-based MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini computers and improves the reliability of AirPort connections.

It remains still unclear if this update fixes the Airport issue with MacBook when running on battery, or instability issue of wireless networking with iMac based on Atheros wireless chipset.

- Security Update 2007-007

Security Update 2007-007 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

bzip2
CFNetwork
Core Audio
cscope
gnuzip
Kerberos
mDNSResponder
PDFKit
PHP
Quartz Composer
samba
WebKit
WebCore

Security Update 2007-006 has been incorporated into this security update.

It seems that Apple engineers tried to fix all bugs possible before going on holidays...
This update is available for OS X 10.3.9 (client and server) and 10.4.10 (client and server for both PPC and UB).

- Pro Application Support 4.0.1

This update improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.

It seems that the Pro Application support 4.0.1 is creating problems and making Apple Pro applications (Aperture, Motion, DVD Studio Pro) prone to quit unexpectedly when launched on Power Mac G5 Dual. On our forum, VoxMac is providing a work-around to come back to the previous version:

Problems identified with Aperture , Motion, Cinema Tools, DVD Studio Pro (last 3 being part of Final Cut Studio 1.5) when running on PM G5 2x2GHz.
To fix the problem, you will have to re-install the previous version from the ProAppRuntime.pkg package via Pacifist located in the hidden directory of the installation DVD: /Volumes/Final Cut Studio/Installer/Packages .
For Aperture, you will have to look for the hidden directory on Aperture DVD: /Volumes/Aperture/Packages

It is about time for Apple to stop releasing not fully certified updates, especially when it systematically affect PPC-based hardware. We recommend to wait before installing any new upgrade or at least to clone your system before performing such upgrade on Pro-oriented application.

- Microsoft Office Open XML File Format Converter for Mac:
The MBU released the beta 0.2 version of the Office Open XML File Format Converter. It allows Mac users to exchange MS Office files created with last Office PC, while waiting for the release of Mac Office 2008 (probably for Q1 2008).
For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/...ConverterBeta_0_2.xml

- Missing Sync compatible with Windows Mobile 6
For those of you who need to synchronize their Windows- Mobile-based PDA or PocketPC with their Mac (as Apple has not implemented its iSync library yet), Missing Sync version 4.0 is released and add support for most Windows Mobile 6 handhelds. To know if your PDA or PocketPC is supported by the last release of Missing Sync: use the checking list. Of course, this tool has a price: US$40 or US$25 if you already own version 3.0. Till Apple decides to upgrade its synchronizing engine, this is the only way for users having MS WM6.0-based handhelds.

- Make Samsung HDs Compatible with Mac Intel - Lionel - 15:42:16

We recently reported about the compatibility issue affecting some Samsung HDs HMxxxJI and Intel-based Mac. Leebogus, one of our forum members, successfully upgraded the firmware of his Samsung HD to make it compatible with his Mac.
Hereafter is the procedure :

- First visit Samsung website at the following address:
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/faqView.do?...

Even though the procedure is intended to be used for Windows-running computer, it does work with the Mac:
- Download the file entitled M5S80_iso.zip.
- It includes an .iso archive file which can be used once unzipped.
- Burn the .iso archive on a CD without mounting it with any applications (Disk utility, Toast, or any burning application).
- Install Samsung HD in your Mac (internal SATA, not in an external enclosure), then force your Mac Intel to boot from the optical drive by pressing « C » key during booting.
- Once the firmware will be completed, switch off you Mac, then reboot from an external HD including OS X or from Apple OS X DVD. The Samsung HD should now behave normally… well as expected.

To report comments on this procedure, post in the dedicated topic on our forum.

[translation by Linathael]

- Apple TV: USB Patch Released - Lionel - 09:33:33

After weeks of work involving several geeks, Appletvhacks released a patch allowing Apple TV owners to use an external USB HD as a primary storage unit.
Once the patch installed, the Apple TV will be able to use the largest USB HD enclosure currently available on the market, so at least 1 TB!. Keep in mind that the patch was written and tested only with Apple TV software version 1.0, while version 1.1 is currently the last one available.

[translation by Linathael]

- Mac Event Next Tuesday - Yoc - 09:32:47

So far, Apple Special Events have almost exclusively been dedicated to the iPod-iTunes couple. Next Tuesday, the Special Event will take place at Apple HQ in Cupertino at 10:00 local time and is expected to deal exclusively with the Mac. News networks invited by Steve Jobs will learn about the new iMac, the new iLife and iWorks, and potentially about the future of the Mac mini (price cuts, update or EOL). So be prepared for new products and announcements on August 7th, while it will most likely not leave any product to be announced during the European Apple Expo at the end of September.

[translation by Linathael]

- The New Compact MagSafe Is Shipping - Lionel - 09:31:20

Several of our readers reported to have received their MacBook Pro featuring the new MagSafe, more compact while delivering 85 W. Of course, the smaller size will make it easier to carry in your backpack. The new MagSafe as a standalone product should not be available before beginning of September from the Apple Store or Apple Resellers.


[translation by Linathael]

- New Motherboard for MacBook - Lionel - 09:30:26

Last week, Apple started shipping MacBook featuring a new motherboard. There is no real difference between the new board and the previous one, regarding performance or battery lifetime, it simply adds full support and compatibility with Energy Star certification. So, only the internal power connection has been modified.
The new motherboard is not compatible with the previous one, as two connectors are different; and if you wish to know if the new or the old one is sitting in your MacBook you would have to entirely disassemble it as there is no reference of such card in the About this Mac menu (serial

[translation by Linathael]