Apple's System Update 2.0 Has Many Bug Fixes, Enhancements

Albert Willis

Apple Computer has released System Update 2.0, which updates System 7.5, 
7.5.1, and 7.5.2 to System 7.5.3. It includes all of the patches and 
enhancements that Apple has released over the last few months: the 7.5.2 
Printing Update, PowerBook 5300 System Software Update, and PowerBook 
2300c Update. Anyone using these fixes should update to System 7.5.3, 
since it includes additional fixes and enhancements.

System Update 2.0 is recommended for any computer running System 7.5 or 
later, and is strongly urged for PCI Macintoshes (7200, 7500, 8500, 
9500).

Precautions
As with any major upgrade, proceed with caution. Although 7.5.3 is more 
reliable and stable than previous system software versions, there is 
still the potential for problems when doing the upgrade.

It's important to make sure that you have the latest version of any 
third-party extension or control panel installed in your system. 
Upgrading to the new system without having done this could lead to 
system crashes or other problems.

One such utility to check is RAM Doubler, a popular RAM expander from 
Connectix. The latest version of RAM Doubler is 1.6.1. There's an 
updater on the CSS File Server, in the IS-CSS zone. Mount the Public 
volume and locate Updaters:RAM Doubler 1.6.1 Updater.

There is a known conflict between RAM Doubler 1.6.1 and System 7.5.3 on 
PowerBooks. One of the problems PowerBook owners are reporting is that 
the machine will crash with a Type 8 error when it wakes up from sleep 
mode. As of this writing, there isn't a fix from Connectix, but they are 
working on it. For more information, check Connectix's Web site at

http://www.connectix.com/

Some modem software, such as Global Village's Global Fax software may 
also have problems with 7.5.3. Again, contact the vendor to find out how 
to upgrade your software.

One final checkpoint is your hard disk driver. System 7.5.3 uses SCSI 
Manager 4.3. In order for System 7.5.3 to work correctly, you need a 
SCSI driver that is SCSI Manager 4.3 savvy. This is mainly an issue for 
people who use third-party disk formatting utilities, such as APS 
PowerTools or FWB Hard Disk Toolkit. Contact the vendor to get an 
updated version of their formatting utility, in order to update the SCSI 
driver. Similarly, those who work on pre-Quadra Macintoshes may need to 
get a copy of Apple's HD SC Setup 7.3.5 and use the Update option. This 
utility is on the CSS File Server in the IS-CSS zone. Mount the Public 
volume and locate AppleSoftware:Utilities: Apple HD SC Setup 7.3.5.

Open Transport 1.1
System Update 2.0 includes Open Transport 1.1, the latest version of 
Apple's new network software architecture. This is particularly 
important for the latest Power Macs (7200, 7500, 8500, 9500) that 
shipped with older, buggy versions of Open Transport. All Macintoshes 
with a 68030 or newer processor can now run Open Transport. (OK, not 
quite all; the desktop 5200, 5300, 6200, and 6300 series computers don't 
currently support it.) Although Open Transport gets installed 
automatically using the Easy Install option in the Installer, it isn't 
activated unless the machine was previously using Open Transport.

Under 7.5.3, you can switch between Open Transport 1.1 and "classic 
networking," using an application called Network Software Selector. This 
lets you continue to use older applications that may not work well with 
Open Transport.

Open Transport 1.1 should solve just about all of the networking 
problems that users of previous versions have experienced. If you use 
MacPPP 2.1.2SD (or later) or FreePPP 1.0.4 (or later) with MIT's Tether 
service, the service should be more stable. FreePPP 2.5 should be 
released soon; once it has been tested, IS expects to make this the 
recommended version for use with machines that use Open Transport 1.1.

Other System Improvements
The new version of the Finder offers lots of fixes and some 
enhancements. It's faster at opening windows and copying files. The Name 
field in the various list views are wider, so you can see more of a 
file's name. On Power Macintoshes, icons turn translucent when you drag 
them across the desktop.

System 7.5.3 includes the latest ver-sions of important system components 
such as Apple Guide and QuickTime. PowerPC-native versions of low-level 
components such as Serial DMA, SCSI Manager, and the Resource Manager 
boost the performance of Power Macs.

Thorough Documentation
Another great feature of 7.5.3 is that it's well documented. Three "New 
in This Update" files describe all of the bug fixes and enhancements. 
Three "About." files describe every extension, control panel, and system 
folder component that comes with the new system. Reading these files is 
a great way to learn more about how the system works, which is 
particularly helpful when you run into problems.

A Universal System
System 7.5.3 supports the concept of a "universal" system. System 
administrators will be able to create a hard drive that boots any 
Macintosh. The directions for doing this are included in the "Installing 
This Update" Read Me file. One caveat: to create a universal system, you 
need a machine that can run System 7.5. The newest machines support only 
7.5.2 or above.

Distribution
There are several ways to get System Update 2.0: via MITnet, the 
Internet, or mail order. On MITnet, System Update 2.0 is on the CSS File 
Server, in the IS-CSS zone. Once you mount the Public volume, locate 
AppleSoftware:System Software: System 7.5 Update 2.0:System Update 2.0. 
Copy the System Update 2.0 folder to your hard drive (you'll need 20MB 
of free disk space). Please don't run the installer from the server! 
This would degrade server performance a great deal. After you copy the 
folder to your hard drive, run the Installer.

To download the Update from Apple's Web site, open the URL
http://www.apple.com/

You can also get the Update from Apple on CD-ROM or diskettes for $13. 
To order, call 1-800-293-6617, x984.