MacStuff

7.5.3, It's Where You Want to Be

Apple Computer recently released System 7.5 Update 2.0, a new Macintosh OS system software update designed to significantly enhance overall system stability in addition to delivering significant performance improvements. System 7.5 Update 2.0 also updates major system features and technologies for network communications and multimedia. After installation of the System 7.5 Update 2.0, user's machines will be at the most current version of the Macintosh system software, System 7.5.3.

System 7.5 Update 2.0 is available on the ASHD server. If you look on the "Apple software" volume, you will find a "System 7.5 Update 2.0" folder. Inside is an Installer that will do all the work of figuring out exactly what needs to be done on each particular different machine. The user need only start up the Installer and hang on. It is Apple's attempt at an "universal" Installer, and it seems to be working rather well. No fuss, no muss. At the end of this article I outline specific detailed installation instructions, but most folks who have fairly new machines (e.g. PowerMacs running 7.5.2), should just be able to "load and go". It is important to remember that this is only a system update, not a complete system installation. In other words, you must start out with some version of System 7.5 on your machine already, and then install this update "on top of" that system, in order to get to version 7.5.3. So if you aren't already running System 7.5, this update won't help you; you have to install System 7.5 first.

Features to install for

On the "Apple software" volume is an Adobe Acrobat "System 7.5.3 Update.pdf" file which has a rather nice detailed description of all of the features (and which is itself a neat example of some of the types of documents that you can put together with the Adobe Acrobat format.)

• System Stability. If you have been encountering "system freezes" or various system "crashes" (including the infamous Type 11 system-crash message), help is here. System 7.5.3 should eliminate those problems, along with out-of-memory conditions, and printing errors on PCI-based Macintoshes. This update includes all of the fixes included with the previously released 7.5.2 Printing Update, the PowerBook 5300 System Software Update, and the PowerBook 2300c Update. You do not need these updates if you install System 7.5 Update 2.0. If you previously installed any of these updates, you should install System 7.5 Update 2.0, since it contains additional fixes.

• Speed Enhancements. System 7.5.3 speeds up your Macintosh in several ways: First, the Finder has been improved for faster file copying, especially when you're moving lots of small files. Second, the Modern Memory Manager scheme that is used to page code between memory and disk has been improved, so launching Excel on a PCI-based Power Macintosh with virtual memory is no longer a good opportunity to take a lunch break. Finally, the Resource Manager, SCSI Manager, and Serial DMA are now fully native for all PowerPC-based Macintoshes. (These portions of the OS were formerly native only in System 7.5.2, which ran only on PCI-based Power Macintoshes.)

• Open Transport. Even though Open Transport, Apple's new networking software, was designed to make networking easier to manage on the Mac, it was, to put it kindly, a flop when it was first released, especially on PCI-based Power Macintoshes. Most problems are now fixed in Open Transport version 1.1, which is installed by System 7.5 Update 2.0. Open Transport is not only faster than MacTCP, it also lets users switch among TCP/IP configurations (for example, between a LAN connection used in the office and a dial-in connection used from home) without requiring a restart. Previously, Open Transport had only run on PCI-based Macintoshes. With System 7.5.3, it's available on all Macintoshes that have 68030 processors or better. Those with 68000s and 68020s still can not run Open Transport; they will continue to rely on "classic" AppleTalk protocols (i.e. MacTCP). On 68030-based and 68040-based Macintoshes, and on the first PowerMacs, users can switch between Open Transport and "classic" AppleTalk with a network software selector application. PCI-based Macintoshes can only run Open Transport.

• Key Technologies Updated. Other key technologies updated in System 7.5 Update 2.0 include: QuickTime, QuickDraw GX, QuickDraw 3D, Apple Guide, PlainTalk, Desktop Printing and PowerTalk. QuickTime 2.1 supports new audio compression formats. QuickDraw GX 1.1.3 has expanded printer support. PlainTalk 1.4.1 is a collection of software that enables your Macintosh to speak written text and respond to spoken commands. QuickDraw 3D 1.0.3 has improved memory management. Apple Guide 2.0.2, lots of bug fixes. Desktop Printing 1.0.3 gives users who are not running QuickDraw GX the same Desktop Printing capabilities. With PowerTalk version 1.2.3, DigiSign Digital Signature technology is now separate from PowerTalk.

• Other Goodies. Just a few of which are...
  • PowerPC users will be introduced to "translucent dragging".
  • When you rebuild the desktop, comments typed in a file's Get Info window are no longer lost.
  • The Name field (used in Finder windows set to one of the list views) is wider, allowing you to see more characters in filenames.
  • Includes a faster version of the AppleShare Workstation client software. Caching has been improved so that you now can copy more stuff from the ASHD server faster.
  • All Macintoshes will be able to run the Control Strip, previously available only for PowerBooks. Among other things it lets you adjust monitor bit depth, con- trol speaker volume, and turn AppleTalk File Sharing on and off. (The "ASHD2" volume has an entire folder devoted to additional Control Strip mod- ules that you can 'plug in'.)

Is System 7.5.3 for you?

In a word: yes. If you're running System 7.5, you will want to install this upgrade.

If you use Microsoft Office 4.2.1, you need the extension "Office 4.2x Update For Power Mac," version 1.0.1, and the Microsoft Office Manager control panel, version 4.2.1b. You can download these files from the "ASHD server". Look on the "ASHD2" volume, in the "Microsoft stuff" folder. The two relevant items are the "Office4.2x Update for Power Mac" and the "Microsoft Office Manager Patch".

Connectix Ram Doubler users should be at version 1.6.1 of Ram Doubler. An updater is available from the "ASHD2" volume on the "ASHD server". Even with version 1.6.1, PowerBook users may still encounter problems. There are several workarounds; please contact me for specific details.

There is an incompatibility between AppleShare Workstation software version 3.6.1 and Connectix Speed Copy (part of Speed Doubler version 1.1 or earlier). Use the Speed Doubler 1.1.2 Updater on the ASHD server to get the latest version of Speed Doubler.

Before you do anything to your working machine, assume the worst may happen. Do not attempt this software upgrade (or any software upgrade for that matter) if you are in the middle of working on an important project for which you will need your machine and/or the software application that you are upgrading. Problems may occasionally arise and help may not always be immediately available. So wait until there is a convenient, relaxed moment before you begin; when the off-chance of a temporary problem will not severely impact you or your work.

Make sure you have a current backup of the important applications, files, data, and preferences from your hard disk, and know how to restore them yourself if you had to.

Before you install System 7.5 Update 2.0, make sure that system software version 7.5, 7.5.1, or 7.5.2 is installed on your computer. (You can check by opening the Apple menu from the Finder and choosing About This Macintosh.)

You should use the "Disk First Aid" program (found in the "most stuff here Ä" on the "Apple software" volume) to test and, if necessary, repair the disk on which you're going to install the update. Additionally, make sure you update the SCSI drivers on that hard disk using the "Apple HD SC Setup" utility (found in the same place as the "Disk First Aid" program).

After appropriate meditation and lighting of votive candles, continue below:

1. Open the Extensions Manager control panel.
2. If your current system software is 7.5 or 7.5.1, choose "System 7.5 only" from the pop-up menu. If your current system software is 7.5.2, choose "System 7.5.2" from the pop-up menu.
3. If you have third-party peripherals that are required for installation and that require an extension, turn those extensions back on. (Examples include video drivers, alternative input devices, network card drivers, and removable media.)
4. Restart your computer.
5. Connect to the "ASHD server" and mount the "Apple software" volume.
6. Open the "System 7.5 Update 2.0" folder.
7. Double-click the Installer icon to open it.
8. Read the first screen, then click Continue.
9. The Easy Install dialog box appears.
   • To automatically install just the software your model of computer needs, click Install.
   • To select specific items to install, see the instructions for custom installation in the manual that came with your computer.
10. When you see a message that the installation was successful, click Restart.
11. Use the Extensions Manager to turn on additional extensions (you'll need to restart your computer for the extensions to work). If you encounter problems, choose the set of extensions you chose before the installation (see step 2), restart your computer, then turn on extensions one at a time to determine if one of them is incompatible.
12. Enjoy your new system.