Bought a DV model a couple of weeks ago. My 7100 HD's crashed twice. By the second time, they would not format! I suspect the power supply finally gave up trying to power all the hardware and extra stuff plugged into the modified outlet. And since I couldn't wait, I paid full retail plus tax! Anyway...
Found Gearbox/Mindspring would not run under 8.6/new iMac. Was forced to use ARA for a while. Actually, it wasn't that bad, and I am sure there is some way to edit the scripts so one can use different modem init strings. As usual, Mindspring was quick to offer a solution, new s/w available at thier site. Still adding new s/w slowly to make sure there are no other problems. TechTools Pro came on an 8.6 CD, so I think it will be no problem. Next will be new versions of Action Files, WYSIWYG and Menus. Then Conflict Catcher 8.
The 400mz is simply amazing! Of course, you have to understand I have been "crawling" along at 66mz for several years now! Have had a few hard crashes (Reset button to the rescue). But most s/w crashes seem less catestrophic(sp?) and are Restart only. And the speed and darth of extra CP's and INIT's right now means a Restart is pretty fast (no more coffee breaks!)
BIGGEST COMPLAINT: Where did Apple find that (*#$%^@) stupid, little, non-intuitive mouse?!?!?! That will be the first thing replaced. Preferrably a two/three button unit. I also miss the 17" monitor. Mirroring might be a solution. Would like to just use the old multi-scan monitor.
Biggest headache: Networking! Sure, setting up the ethernet was simple. After I found out I was trying to use the cross-over cable to the hub! Why wasn't that thing labeled? Then the 520c simply wouldn't show the iMac in the Chooser. Finally, after about 15 restarts, cable swaps, phone calls, and a little percussive maintenance, the Chooser offered the iMac and things have worked great since then. Still limited to 10 base speeds because of the 520c's limit but it is SO much faster than AppleTalk!
Second biggest hurdle: Bootable backups. This doesn't seem to be possible with the present hardware. No SCSI port now and neither USB nor Firewire can be used for startup (yet). My solution may be a CD-R or RW. I am really paranoid now after the sudden and unrecoverable crashes on the 7100. There are files that are now only backed up on EZ-135 disks and that is not a permanent solution (if the 520 dies, I have no visible means of support!). As long as the CD/DV works I can always reinstall the System stuff but that still takes a long time and doesn't help with all the files/programs/preferences/etc. A Firewire HD might be another possiblility.
Was able to keep my TI laserprinter by using a ethernet adapter. Still trying to decide how to connect the scanner. There are USB to SCSI cables but I fear lack of support for the old model scanner, we'll see.
Overall, this has been a not too unpleasant upgrade. Actually used Outlook Express for a while, have to admit it has some nice features, still, I have heard too many stories about macros specific to MS products and am trying to maintain a MS free system! So I upgraded to Eudora Pro ($30). I like it.
Would like to hear from any others about thier experiences. I was really amazed at how quick one could get set up and onto the net, of course, that is what the "i" is for, insn't it!?
Jim, the (typed on a PC at work, while I wait on repairs to my Bus) Bus driver
