Thursday, January 29

• Today is the day of the Dove Brothers PowerComputing auction. I'll post reports throughout the day about what people find and how much stuff sells for. A reader wrote in with what he saw at yesterday's preview:
  • I was at the auction inspection today for Thursday's Power Computing auction, and saw a couple of things that might interest your readers. Most interesting (ignoring the fact that lots of PTP's are interesting all by themselves) was that there are a few pallets of new power supplies. They're going as one big lot, so I imagine some dealer somewhere will end up with them. Hopefully, they'll turn up on the market at a reasonable price. There are smaller numbers of power supplies scattered through several other lots, but I couldn't tell what their condition was. Less interesting were the several pallets of new keyboards. I'd expect those to be a glut on the market soon. And actually more interesting than number two, was one lot of junk that included two Stargate Riser Cards in a box marked "Tested Good Stargate Riser Cards"
  • MacInTouch has a reader report on all the nice goodies available and notes a Austin American-Statesman story about it too.
    
    
• Other World Computing has PowerCC 604e daughtercards back in stock at various speeds and prices (Thanks, Deal-Mac).

Monday, January 26

• Our network service provider moved offices today, taking us down for most of the day. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  
  
• Good news! FWB Software will be bringing back support for the Phillips PCA8OSC CD-ROM drive, which is used in many PowerCC machines! There will be an updated posted soon! If you're using CDToolkit 3.0.1 and have this drive, be sure to grab this! (Thanks, Dave)
  
  
• Boy do I love this one: I don't know how new this is, but on Altavista you can now translate web pages into five foreign languages! Ever wanted to see PowerWatch in Italian? (No). Well, now you can! Check it out!

Friday, January 23

• Late addition: There seems to be a higher than normal number of people forgetting their passwords for PW Views. Please write it down! I'm inundated with mail already!
  
  
• While I still haven't gotten official confirmation from Newer Technologies, MacCPU has been saying for several days that the Newer 7100/8100 G3 upgrades (in 210 and 240MHz flavors) will be fully compatible with the Power 100 and 120 systems (too bad mine burnt out a few years ago..) Once Newer says it officially I'll update my upgrades section.

Thursday, January 22

• For the second time since its inception, PowerTech didn't come up this morning because of a dialog box preventing Filemaker from loading; I have now installed Okey Dokey Pro so this won't happen anymore. I apologize for the inconvienience. Do check out the remodeled system, though.
  
  
• I have posted DriveGuide and PowerGuide MLB to PowerFiles. These have schematics for Power's hard drives and motherboards, respectively, and have been pretty hard to find lately. (Thanks, Jim Stoneburner, again).
  
  
• A listing of items up for auction has been put online, in regards to the PowerCC auction we reported on (before anywhere else, may I add) last week. Lots of Power and Apple systems, among other things.

Wednesday, January 21

• Late update: While learning how to use FileMaker Pro's Web Companion, I was able to make some pretty significant changes to PowerTech:
  • You now do all your searching from the PowerTech page -- for both databases. (The hitting return thing STILL does not work). Since this change makes the search page static, it takes some load off of my computer.
  • TechTalk now displays the submission letter as the result, instead of the oft-confusing (but funny) titles. Check it out and you'll see what I mean.
    
    
• MacTell lowered the prices on the PowerJolt G3 250/250/1Mb card (works in all models except PowerBase) down to $1595.
  
  
• Another place you can look for help in getting MacOS 8.1 running smoothly (in addition to MacInTouch, MRP, MacFixIt) is our Using the MacOS message board.

Tuesday, January 20

• More on MacOS 8.1:
  • There's a TIL article about installing 8.1 on computers w/o an Apple CD-ROM drive. Check it out.

Monday, January 19

• I returned from a weekend camping trip to Santa Barbara to find that my upgrade to MacOS 8.1 (clean install) had wiped my FileMaker Pro prefs, thus making PowerTech unusable. I apologize for the screw-up. Also, I may be trying to move PowerTech (and possibly part of the DCRP if I can Filemakerize it), to a site which can run it 24 hours a day.
  
  
• As sites such as MacFixIt have mentioned, FWB (makers of CDToolkit, which Power users must use for CD-ROM drive support) has dropped support for the Phillips PCA8OSC in version 3.0.1. If you've got this drive, you may want to give FWB a hard time to get support back in the software, or just avoid the latest update altogether.
  
  
• MacFixIt also mentions this note, which Power users should pay close attention to while upgrading to HFS+:
  • "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 8.1 and then reboot." Separate cartridges (such as Jaz cartridges) should also work."
    
    
• Power Computing is having an auction of all their stuff (through Dove Brothers) at their Austin HQ on January 29th. More details are available on their auction page. Power machines will be available, so if you're in the area, you may be able to pick up some good deals. (Thanks, Bill Fergerson)
  
  
• Finally, DecisionOne will be open on Saturdays for the next several weeks, so that may be your best time to call. [Ed. Note: there was a typo on the date for this weekends special D-1 hours. I just copied and pasted what I was sent, and didn't proofread it. Whoops.]

Friday, January 16

• DecisionOne passes on this note:
  • "For your convenience if you have called Power Computing Software Support Group and have a Power Computing Case Number, and have not been able to get through to our Hardware Support Group, the Power Computing Hardware Support Group will be open Saturday 1-16-98. The hours will be 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Central time. Please have your Power Computing Case Number and your system serial number available, and we will do our best to process your call."

Wednesday, January 14

• I'd like to think of today as our "Grand Reopening" Day. Our new design is done, and I have some nice, new features to tell you about:
  • The News section (you are here) will continue to have info on new products that are pertinent to Power Computing owners; Upgrades and good deals will usually be the news. I may do a little editorial about Apple in general once in a while too.
  • The Upgrades section has been revamped and updated. I need your reviews on upgrades, especially G3!
  • PowerWatch Views is now referred to as the Message Boards. Here we have forums for all kind of issues, and more are being added all the time! We have over 6,600 registered users, so you'll always get your question answered!
  • Our newest, and most exciting addition is PowerTech. You may remember this as an outdated set of fixes for common problems. Well, no more! Now, PowerTech features two of PowerComputing's technical support databases: TechTalk, and PowerSource. I think you'll find both very useful. Of course, only through your comments can it improve!
  • I've also updated our DecisionOne report -- it's pretty huge now! Your reports are working! DecisionOne is actively monitoring our site--so if you have issues, we can help let DecisionOne know about them!
  • Of course, we still have some old favorites: PowerLinks to other sites of interest, PowerFiles to download, our Systems section with reviews and info of each Power system, and the ever popular About PowerWatch section.
    
    
• Update: Many users have asked about Newer Tech's G3 upgrade that may work in the Power 100 and 120. I'm still looking into this, and will report back soon.
  
  
• I get a whole lot of mail asking about upgrading the VRAM on PowerCenter Pro systems. From what I could find, the video card design is proprietary, and Power isn't allowed to sell them because of the buyout agreement. My best advice is to hunt down a new card: the ixMicro and ATI lines seem to be very good. Update: According to someone in the know, the cards were never supposed to be upgradable; I guess you just swapped the 2Mb card for a 4Mb card.
  
  
• One PowerCenter user who had a dead power supply (a problem which I hear about more than I should, probably) wrote that Area Electronics Systems at 714-993-0300 has replacement Power supplies. For his machine, he asked for the Seasonic SS-250GPX, whose cost is $39.00. Be sure to check which one you need before you order the wrong one, of course.
  
  
• Finally, as widely reported yesterday everywhere else, former Power President and COO Joel Kocher has been tapped to hold the same position (plus a seat on the board) at Micron Electronics.
  
  
• PowerWatch needs advertisers! Rates are the lowest ever--click here  for more.
  
  
  

Tuesday, January 13

• AllMac has genuine new PowerCC 603e daughtercard upgrades for the PowerBase: 200MHz for $79, 240MHz for $99. Call them at 1-800-WE-FIX-MACS.
  
  
• I think I've fixed the bugs in the new design.. let me know if you see any more.. tomorrow we'll be having our grand reopening! Our DecisionOne report should be updated by then, too.

Monday, January 12

• Well, PowerWatch has now completed its third major redesign. I hope to be fully completed by Wednesday, where hopefully we can get some good traffic back to the site from publicity. If you see anything strange, e-mail me. Thanks to Evan Doll for his great design!
  

Sunday, January 11

• Psst... I posted a cool Disneyland Trip Report today..
  
  
• I have removed my little 49ers message.. I'm a bit embarassed actually that they lost so bad...

Friday, January 9

• This note comes in from DecisionOne:
  • For your convenience, DecisionOne's Power Computing Hardware Support Group will be open for business this Saturday (January 10) from 8:00 am through 4:00 pm central time. Please have your Power Computing Case Number and your system serial number available.
    
    
• Please do keep those DecisionOne reports coming in!
  
  
• Thanks to the small group of readers who came to chat last night!

Thursday, January 8

• Well, everyone's been asking, and it looks like I've got good news: From what I can gather (and also stated by MacCPU), the Newer Technologies MAXpowr 7100/8100 G3 card should work in the Power 100/120 system. I'm going to get official confirmation-- but this is great news for a machine many thought was obsolete.
  
  
• Don't forget to check out PowerTech! Remodeling will be done soon!

Wednesday, January 7

• I'd like to get some updates on how DecisionOne is doing, so we can update our special report. Your comments are heard by D-1, so it can only help.
  
  
• Hey! I haven't heard a word from anybody about our new PowerTech section! Get with it! Update: Whoops. I set my computer to start up automatically this morning, but a Quicktime 3.0b expiration message prevented Filemaker from running. Try again. Sorry, I'm dumb.
  
  
• Power Computing will be having a shareholder meeting on January 26th to vote on the sale of "substantially all of their assets" to Apple, according to a Reuters report.
  
  
• PowerWatch Views is currently being remodeled to reflect our new look; Things may look strange at times.
  
  
• Chat has been postponed until Thursday at 7pm Pacific time. See you there!
  

Tuesday, January 6

• Ahh, MacWorld is here again. I remember the show last year very well. After my friend and I finally made it in, we headed straight for the Power booth. We watched Mike Rosenfelt yell until he was beyond hoarse. We got a backstage tour and saw all kinds of cool stuff. I got to meet tons of Power employees and left with posters and t-shirt; My friend won a 286 in the trivia contest. Well, those days are over, and I'm stuck in school again. Luckily, we have MacInTouch and MacOS Rumors to keep us up-to-date on developments at the show.
  
  
• But I am here to bring you an exciting announcement right here at PowerWatch. Yes, our PowerSource and TechTalk databases are ready to be beta tested! Not only can you play with them and give me feedback, but you can also see our new look in action. If all goes well, later next week the whole site will be updated! These two databases are hosted on my Mac here at school, so the hours are kind of funky (in fact, there aren't really any hours-- the later in the day, the better). These two information sources are the stars of our new PowerTech section!

Monday, January 5

• Upgrade mania has struck! Lots of new upgrades, so here goes:
  • PowerLogix has released 5 new G3 cards to complement their existing PowerForce G3 line. These work across the PCI-based PowerComputing line, including PowerBase. They will reportedly show a 400MHz model as well, at MacWorld (wow).
    • PowerForce G3 233/512K $799
    • PowerForce G3 250/125/1Mb $999
    • PowerForce G3 266/177/1Mb $1199
    • PowerForce G3 275/183/1Mb $1299
    • PowerForce G3 300/300/1Mb $2599 (acc'd to MacWeek)
  • Meanwhile, Newer Technology introduced two 275MHz G3 models. These don't work in Powerbases, but Newer does have $1000 model that does (I believe it's a 250MHz model). They have a $150 mail in rebate for previous MAXpowr owners.
    • MAXpowr G3 275/275/1Mb $1999
    • MAXpowr G3 275/183/1MB $1549
  • Finally, MacTell Corporation has a number of PowerJolt G3 upgrades ranging from 233MHz ($899) to 300MHz ($2595). They claim compatibility across the upgradable line, except for Powerbases.
    
    
• I've added another user report as well as DecisionOne's official response to our DecisionOne special report.
  
  
• We will be going forward with Evan Doll's PowerWatch designs. Look for the new design to debut with PowerSource, TechTalk, and a newly revised Upgrades section, sometime next week.

Friday, January 2

• Other World Computing has a variety of genuine Power daughtercards starting at $195 for 200MHz. There are also 225MHz and 250MHz cards, at $259 and $299 respectively. Be sure to read their page to make sure it will work in your machine. PowerCenter users who have the "Catalyst Plus" logic board should have no trouble running at faster bus speeds. If you do order it from them, be sure to let them know where you heard about this!
  
  
• The third version of PowerWatch 98 (heh heh) is now online for preview. Comments are appreciated! Thanks to Evan Doll for his artistic contributions!
  
  
• In other news, I have acquired FileMaker Pro 4.0 and already have PowerSource working. We could have both PowerCC databases up by the end of next week!
  
  
• We have a new advertising policy and lower rates! You can now advertise for as little as $150 per month! See our advertising page for more!