Troubleshooting

Spreading a virus by email: It's not a hoax

A warning to beware of a virus that can be spread by email is usually the sign of a hoax (such as with the infamous "Good Times" virus, as explained more in a web page describing email virus hoaxes). However, PC Week reports on a Word macro virus that can indeed by spread by email with Microsoft Mail on a PC.

Update: The virus is called the ShareFun.A virus and is described more on an McAfee web page. Technically, it does not spread just by reading the email message. You have to open the attached document to … Read more

System Analyze bug in TechTool 1.1.3

Run the System Analyze function of the latest (1.1.3) version of TechTool. Hopefully, it will report back as "No Trouble Found." Now go to the Keyboard control panel and check the "Use Command-Option-Space bar..." option. Then return to TechTool and run System Analyze again. It will now report that the System file is damaged (at least it did for me and for Tony Aguila, who first reported this).

Update: This problem appears to be limited just to Mac OS 7.6.

DayStar and Mac OS 7.6 problem solved

John Strung had problems running Mac OS 7.6 on a Quadra with a DayStar PowerCard 601. Apparently the 7.6 Installer was not correctly recognizing the presence of the 601 card and therefore not installing the correct version of the OS on an Easy Install. The solution was to go back and do a Custom Install selecting the "for any Macintosh" option.

ActiveX security leak

From PC WEEK comes the following: "In the wake of a controversy stirred by hackers who claimed they found a way to use ActiveX code to make bogus money transfers, Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of a program to educate users about the security risks of executable code." (Thanks Susan Lesch, AOL Forum Assistant.)

Conflict Catcher 4 demo

A demo version of Conflict Catcher 4 is now available at Casady & Greene's web site. (Thanks, David Lee Rutledge.)

MacLinkPlus 9.0b Updater - and more

The MacLinkPlus 9.0b Updater (which I was unable to locate last time) is available as DataViz's web site. (Thanks to Scott Thomas of DataViz, Kurt Christensen of Version Tracker, and Raul Regalado.)

Update: If the above DataViz link does not work, try this one. (Scott tells me he had to move the link to a faster server, due to high demand after its posting here!)

Scott Thomas also added the following useful information:

"The update fixes the Word blank cell in table problem (as reported on MacFixIt last time). This problem only affects MacLinkPlus 9.00 customers … Read more

More rumors about Apple

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, rumors continue to fly, according to a San Francisco Chronicle article. Current speculation is about the impending number of lay-offs, whether Ellen Hancock may be the next Apple executive to resign (asked to leave?) and Steve Jobs is gaining increasing influence within Apple's inner circles.

Mac OS 7.6 warning clouds?

Despite the assortment of mostly minor glitches reported here, the general reaction to Mac OS 7.6, at least from a troubleshooting perspective, remains positive. Which is as it should be. After all, Mac OS 7.6 doesn't introduce a wealth of new features. It should clearly be better at fixing existing problems than at creating new ones.

However, I have gotten two reports of more serious problems in the last week. As they remain somewhat isolated, I would ordinarily hesitate to post them here. However, they come from very reputable sources, involve numerous Macs at each site in … Read more

TechTool 1.1.3 is out

TechTool 1.1.3 is now available here in the Download Library as well as at MicroMat's web site. It adds Mac OS 7.6 support and includes a new floppy drive cleaning routine. (Thanks, Ken Kapson.)