9/19/94 6:30:10 PM Opening ÒChat Log 9/19/94Ó for recording. AFL Don : Hi Kate... AFL Don : ...big news for our family this week, I'm now a three-time grandfather... Cuddly1 : Congrats!!! When did this happen :) AFL Don : Saturday morning... We were awake most of Friday night getting 'phone reports, still not caught up on sleep! AFL Don : hello, Walt! AFA Fixit : Hi Don! Cuddly1 : LOL Well you'll catch up soon :) AFL Don : Hello, Larry! I see you found us in the new hall... AFC Softy : Hi Folks... :) AFA Fixit : Hello Larry. AFC Softy : Oh... I knew it was here... :) AFA Fixit : Same door, same room, different name. AFC Softy : Yeah... it's the one that used to have "Gentleman" on the door. ;) AFL Don : Yeah, but it's shared, and so far we don't have our About The Forum etc. posts... AFL Don : Hey, had my PowerBook fixed by Apple (out of warranty) this week... No charge... AFC Softy : I'm surprised AOL didn't do it a year ago. AFA Fixit : What was wrong with it? AFL Don : New powersupply, new motherboard, even a new plastic back door... AFC Softy : What happed to your PB Don? AFA Fixit : Plug it into the HT of your TV? AFL Don : The first powersupplies had a problem with the connector. The plastic insulation crumbled, AFL Don : allowing the plug to short out the battery briefly when the plug was removed.. AFL Don : Unfortunately, when this happened, it blew a 5-A fuse on the motherboard... AFA Fixit : 5 Amp. That's pretty hefty. AFL Don : It's a surface-mount fuse, not like any I've ever seen before, would require heroic effort to change. AFC Softy : So... did they put another PB-170 motherboard in it? Or did you get a 180? ;) AFL Don : Apple had a recall on the power supplies but I was missed... AFL Don : I think it's a 170, but haven't checked yet. AFL Don : Anyway, Apple did it for me at no charge... Airborne Express picked it up, it was fixed AFL Don : in Rochestor New York and I had it back less than 48 hours after it left me... Not bad service... Cuddly1 : If all service could be that good ;) AFC Softy : Chances are they had PB-170 replacement boards laying around. AFL Don : ...plus I now have the upgraded 24-Watt power supply! AFC Softy : Cool.. :) AFL Don : ...and I think they gave me a new battery, since I'm getting about 50% more time on a charge! AFA Fixit : 24-Watt supply with a 5-Amp fuse. Hmmmm AFL Don : The 5-A fuse is to protect against a short circuit across the NiCad battery, not the powersupply... When the plug shorted the power jack on the PowerBook, the overload current that blew the fuse didn't have anything to do with the powersupply. The fuse connects just inside the battery contacts, so it's designed to protect against just what happened. It's not easily replaceable. I don't think they really expected it to blow. AFL Don : I took the PB all apart to see if I could fix it easily... You can't even see the fuse until you remove overlay boards... AFA Fixit : It did it's job, which is to protect Apple's investment in the motherboard. AFL Don : Right, Walt! AFA Fixit : If it hadn't been for the fuse, it would have cost Apple more than shipping and a fuse to replace it. AFL Don : I understand that if you replace something on the motherboard, Apple will charge close to $700 for a new motherboard on any subsequent repair. So I wanted to see if they'd pick it up on extended warranty before I stuck my neck out... AFL Don : No way could I do a cosmetically-acceptable replacement of a surface-mount fuse, at least one that wouldn't be detectable... AFA Fixit : They'll charge you $700 for a new motherboard for any failure anyhow, so what's the deal. AFA Fixit : I just tack a new Pico fuse across the contacts. AFL Don : Not so, apparently, Walt, they told me that if the warranty didn't apply, it'd cost me a lot less... AFL Don : That was my plan, Walt, if Apple didn't come through, but as it turned out I didn't have to do it. AFA Fixit : Still Apple makes out if the fuse is a common failure. AFL Don : If I'd done it myself, I'd still have to replace the plug on the cord, hope the Radio Shack plug AFL Don : didn't short... I still can't see how it could short, but the plastic was crumbly... Cuddly1 : brb AFA Fixit : I've been tacking 1 Amp pico fuses across SCSI Term Power and ADB power fuses for years. Saved boku... AFA Fixit : bucks on new logic boards for blown fuses. AFL Don : Next fuse, that's what I'll do... AFL Don : Symptoms were, wouldn't play on battery, required the charger, but the PB worked normally... AFA Fixit : Was just thinking that the increase in battery life could be caused by improved operation of the PSU. AFL Don : Hello, Frank! BCS Frank : Hi, Don, Walt, Larry :) AFA Fixit : Hi Frank AFL Don : ...battery life is not bad, got almost 3 hours with the backlight fullup for test... BCS Frank : How's technical? AFL Don : Hello, CrabKates... BCS Frank : Hi, CrabKates :) CrabKates : Hiya Don :) AFA Fixit : Don's in a good mood tonight. Another grandchild and his PowerBook is back. AFC Softy : AFL Don : Right! BCS Frank : :) AFA Fixit : {{{{{{***Kate***}}}}}}} CrabKates : {{{{{{***Walt***}}}}}}} AFC Softy : Kate... you heard DodgerBlu became a daddy this week didn't you? BCS Frank : Is there any problem using a 44 Meg SyQuest drive with a IIgs? CrabKates : No Larry I hadn't heard!!! Tell him congrats for me!! AFA Fixit : Only the usually problems with using a 44 Meg SyQuest with any computer. BCS Frank : Like.... ? CrabKates : Larry, was it a boy or a girl?? AFC Softy : Hey... tell Cindy... Kyle was a bouncing 11 pound boy. AFC Softy : (that's no typo... :) CrabKates : ouch!!!!!!! AFA Fixit : It's a noisy, cranky beast, especially older revisions. AFC Softy : Have you guys heard about Sequential's new VGA board for the IIgs? I just saw an ad for it in GS+ BCS Frank : This one's under a PLI label. Noise I don't mind, not for the space. AFC Softy : and have been seeing a little traffic on the 'net about it. AFA Fixit : It's finally seeing the light of day. BCS Frank : Has the board actually shipped? AFL Don : Saw the post about it... Sounds very interesting... AFA Fixit : The noise I speak of is RFI and EMI AFC Softy : Frank... from what Jawaid's saying it is... or darn near. AFA Fixit : PLI does a better than average job of enclosing SyQuest drives successfully. BCS Frank : I've tried out the SyQ on my SE... seeems fine, but I'm thinking of SeanRich : I need a way to transfer Apple IIe files, downloaded from AOL, from 3.5" Mac disks to 5.25" SeanRich : Apple IIe disks. Can anybody help me? BCS Frank : using the SyQ on my GS for a faster backup. CrabKates : bbl... got some banking work to do ;) BCS Frank : Where do you live, Sean? AFL Don : Hello, Sean! Didn't see you come it... SeanRich : Florida SeanRich : Hello. BCS Frank : ouch! Was hoping you lived near here (near Boston), I could help you. AFA Fixit : Fold the 5.25 disks in half.... BCS Frank : What kind of files? AFC Softy : :) AFL Don : It'd be easier if you had a 2GS, Sean... SeanRich : Education stuff. My girlfriend teaches 1st grade. AFC Softy : Or a Mac LC with the IIe card installed. AFA Fixit : No, you'll need a 3.5" drive with an Apple II attatched to do it easily. BCS Frank : "stuff?" text files, graphics? SeanRich : Do you know if I can hook up a 5.25 to my 660AV? AFA Fixit : Are the machines near each other? AFL Don : No way, on the 5.25-inch on the 660AV... AFC Softy : Not an Apple II drive. BCS Frank : null modem cable? SeanRich : Didn't think so. AFA Fixit : No, you can't hook a 5.25 to the AV AFC Softy : Null modem setup was my next thought too. SeanRich : What's that? AFL Don : ...NM is about the only way to go, I suspect. BCS Frank : You can connect the Mac and the IIe with a null modem cable AFA Fixit : It will only work if the machines are near each other. BCS Frank : and transfer the files over that. AFL Don : Why not dl the files while AOL still supports the //e? AFL Don : You have a few weeks... AFL Don : Download 'em directly onto the //e... BCS Frank : Sean, are you signed on with an Apple II? AFC Softy : Don... he probably doesn't have the software and you can't get it anymore. :( SeanRich : I didn't know they have Aplle IIe software. I'll try that. Thanks. SeanRich : Guess not... BCS Frank : It won't work Sean. BCS Frank : It's too late if you're not already connected with an Apple II. SeanRich : Are you all on IIe's? BCS Frank : I'm on an SE now, and often on with a IIgs. AFC Softy : Frank.. If he could find a copy of it, he could use it with is Mac account. AFL Don : No, but we could be for the moment, anyway... AFA Fixit : I have a IIgs and a number of other computers. AFC Softy : <-- PowerBook 180 (IIgs is still packed in boxes :/) AFL Don : The only problem would be getting a copy of the //e AOL software, since AOL won't send it to you now. SeanRich : Does a IIgs have 5.25 and 3.5 drives? AFL Don : But lots of the disks are around, I'm sure... BCS Frank : I don't think even with the IIe software that AOL will initialize the "raw" AOL software. BCS Frank : Yes it does, Rich, usually. AFL Don : Yes, Sean, 2GS setups usually have both... AFC Softy : It can use both... so can a IIe. But the IIe requires a card which can drive the 3.5" drives. SeanRich : I guess I will have to find somebody that has a IIgs. BCS Frank : Also IIgs with enough memory and gs system 6 can read/write Mac disks, 800K, as well. AFL Don : Well, maybe you can find a friend with a //e enabled account who'll do it for you... SeanRich : Has anybody used System 7.5 yet? BCS Frank : Is there a user group in your area? AFL Don : I swap files around between my 2GS and Mac, freely, no problem. BCS Frank : 7.5's not practical on my SE. AFC Softy : I'm still using 7.1 which came with the PB. Don't have a real reason to upgrade right now. AFA Fixit : It's barely practical on my IIx. AFL Don : Same here... Although I've been hearing enthusiasm from recent upgraders to 7.5... AFL Don : Too much money for me, though. AFL Don : ...when 7.01 is working well enough... AFA Fixit : If I could get it for the price of the 7.1 upgrade, I'd give it a serious look. BCS Frank : How much are they charging? AFC Softy : $99 bucks SeanRich : You can get the upgrade for about $30. I think it's worth it. I'm waiting for my copy now. AFA Fixit : Where did you get it for $30? AFC Softy : ...that's the outright price anyway. AFC Softy : Buy a new PowerMac and you get it for free. ;) AFL Don : Yeah, but that's not an upgrade from 7.01... that's from 7.1, 7.01 came with my PB170 AFA Fixit : Only got 7.1.2 with the 8100 at work. SeanRich : I forget either MacConnection or MacWarehouse. It was actually about$35 now that I think SeanRich : about it. That's for the CD version. AFC Softy : Walt... call Apple and cry foul. :) AFL Don : MacWarehouse had the upgrade deal in their latest catalog, I think... SeanRich : I told them I just bought my computer in July and they gave me the upgrade price. AFL Don : That's fair! AFA Fixit : I've been so busy working that I haven't had a chance to check out any catalogs. AFA Fixit : 98 hours last week. Ugh! AFC Softy : Heck.. I still haven't run the Hardware Update 3.0 on my PB yet. AFL Don : Working too hard, Walt! AFC Softy : Too afraid I'll munge the PB. AFA Fixit : You can say that again. I hate trade shows!! AFL Don : It's bulletproof, Larry, not to worry... Fixes some bugs, I hear... AFA Fixit : Been running update 3.0 on everything I've got with no troubles. SeanRich : Thanks for all the help. Talk to you all later. -Sean BCS Frank : What is it, Walt, the deadlines? AFC Softy : Don... like the frozen cursor bug? AFL Don : There's a frozen cursor bug? AFC Softy : (drives me crazy when I'm trying to play Rescue! :) AFL Don : Haven't found anything that rebuilding the desktop file and resetting the PRAM didn't fix... AFA Fixit : The deadlines are deadly. The night before the show, they show up with an FDDI upgrade without the AFL Don : How much memory do you have? Betcha that RamDoubler would get rid of your cursor problem! AFC Softy : Don... yeah... seems like on PB180s the cursor will get clamped in one direction. AFL Don : Makes a BIG difference for me! AFA Fixit : driver software. Finally got the right over the Internet Thursday night. AFL Don : Yeah, that happens on the PB170, too, and it's always fixed by cleaning up RAM, happens less when AFL Don : you have more memory... AFC Softy : I've thought about getting RamDoubler, but I'd also like another 4MB. AFA Fixit : Another 4MB is a must. AFL Don : RD works good enough for me that I don't feel the need... BCS Frank : No RD problems? AFL Don : RD is very close to magic... Very stable for me. AFL Don : Fools all the programs I use into thinking I have 8 megs... AFL Don : If there's a speed price, (and there is), it's unnoticeable to me... AFC Softy : RD is probably good idea since buying more RAM is out of the question for the next few months. AFL Don : If you're into sounds, though, you'll hear little glitches in the sound, but not bad... AFL Don : Everyone I've touted onto it has been profusely grateful... AFL Don : Price Club is selling RD for a good Price... AFC Softy : Price Club has it?? I didn't see it down here. :/ AFA Fixit : Price Club has Mac software. Sam's Club only has PC software. AFL Don : You've gotta search, since it's about the only Mac title in their stash of software, but I've seen it AFL Don : at Price Club and at CostCo BCS Frank : ... gotta fade.... AFL Don : Good to see ya, Frank! AFC Softy : I;ve been seeing more Mac stuff here lately... like After Dark 3.0. :))))) BCS Frank : Night, gentlemen.... AFL Don : RamDoubler is the only Mac title I've seen at Price Club... Put in a request for better Mac selection AFL Don : but nothing happened... AFL Don : I'm gonna have to bug out, also... AFC Softy : Don... it'll probably take a lot more people asking for it. AFL Don : Right! I'm probably the only one so far... AFL Don : They do have a computer-purchase service called Quest that lists a few Mac titles... AFA Fixit : Make it a regular act. ChrisGurn : Hi guys. AFL Don : Hello, Chris! Good to see you again... ChrisGurn : Well, I'm almost gone :( AFL Don : Aren't we all! AFC Softy : I would imagine that most Mac owners in the Bay Area use mail order anyway. AFL Don : ...Except the RD price is competitive. ChrisGurn : I hadn't heard how the rest of the aol Apple II world was taking the news. AFL Don : About the same as what I paid, with shipping... ChrisGurn : Are they all going to Genie? AFC Softy : (or they know someone who knows someone at the company.. ;) AFL Don : No, Chris, lots of us will stay here... ChrisGurn : Cuz ur MACs? AFC Softy : Chris... I figured it was coming a long time ago. AFA Fixit : A lot of us are multiple platform users. ChrisGurn : Yeah, the #s just weren't the same. AFL Don : Yes, although still use the 2GS as long as possible... ChrisGurn : I want to get an IBM now, but don't have the cash. I'll wait awhile ChrisGurn : before switching over. I AFC Softy : I need to get my IIgs back up and running soon because there is a lot of stuff I want to get before AFC Softy : the end. ChrisGurn : in the meantime, I'll stick w/ BBSs and work at school. AFL Don : IBM equates with self flagellation, in my book... AFC Softy : Chris... were you a charter member? ChrisGurn : I sure enjoyed the simple e-mail address I was able to give out. ChrisGurn : don't know wot charter member means. ChrisGurn : my other nickname is Gurn so I passed it on to all my Scout friends. AFL Don : AOL will still be here, you just won't be able to get to us with an Apple 2, but we'll still be AFL Don : offering A2 help, etc. ChrisGurn : yes, I know. But I'd have to take up my mom's phone at her house etc. ChrisGurn : Not an easy thing to do. AFC Softy : If you were a member of the old ALPE service, or signed up when AOL was launched you're probably AFC Softy : a charter member. AFL Don : ...if not officially. ChrisGurn : So when's D-day again? AFL Don : November 1, it'll be all over... AFC Softy : Nov 1 at 12am. AFL Don : ...as far as logging on with an Apple 2 ChrisGurn : Think all the IIers will be on 31st to say goodbye? AFL Don : Some talk about that... We'll see... AFC Softy : A lot of the ones who are still here say they are... AFC Softy : ..but as Don says.. we'll see. :) ChrisGurn : It'll be the last time I get mail from here. I get some internet stuff. ChrisGurn : I will too. ChrisGurn : I gotta cruise now. I promise to talk to ya again. AFL Don : ...I really do have to run, CU all later... AFC Softy : Well I need to run... gotta go get some bike parts for one of the kid's bike. AFL Don : Bye all! 9/19/94 7:48:35 PM Closing Log file.