M a c C P U: x100 upgrade troubleshooting and FAQ

We have shipped hundreds of these upgrade cards for the x100 machines now, both the caddyless and the with-caddy versions. For most people the upgrades are plug 'n' play, but if you're one of the unlucky ones who has difficulties, here are some great MacWorld installation tips for CPU upgrades which, if you follow them, may prevent you from having hours of hair tearing.

Before you read them, here is the most important piece of information we can give you; if you install an x100 upgrade and it doesn't work, take everything out and carefully install it again. We get a bunch of SOSs from people who think they have a flawed card. And in 90% of the cases the card is simply not seated properly. These cards are a little sensitive and need to be seated 'just right. '

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MacWorld CPU upgrade installation tips

Read the manual
Generally speaking, upgrade cards are all the same. But manuals contain proper settings, installation tips, and troubleshooting tricks specific to your card. Be sure to read the manual, cover to cover, before trying to install a new card.

Be safe, not sorry
Back up all your data, including everything on your hard drives, before you try to install the card.

Buy the right card
Typically, a single upgrade card will work in a wide range of Macs and clones. However, some clones require modified firmware, so make sure you buy the right card for your computer.

Ground yourself
Every manufacturer recommends using a grounding strap: a device that keeps your body static-free, but not every manufacturer includes one in the package. Buy one. Sparking fingers fry chips fast.
(NOTE: Newer Technology ships the grounding straps with all their CPU upgrades)

Remove the L2 cache
We tested most of the cards with the system's own L2 cache still on the motherboard. ...pulling the cache from some machines is no picnic, but it may help if you're having problems.

Software comes first
No card will run at top speed without the proper extensions installed, and some won't run at all. Load the provided software before you do a brain transplant...

Hit the switch
After you plug in the card, find the motherboard reset switch and press it. (It should be close to the processor slot. Check both your card and your Mac's hardware manuals.) You'll have to reset your date and time settings, but hitting the switch will help your system recognize the new processor.

Rename the extension
Small changes in your system environment can make a big difference in compatibility. If your card's system extension loads alphabetically, try adding spaces in front of the name to force it to load first. If it's already set up this way and you're having problems, try removing the spaces so that it loads alphabetically.

Zap the pram
Several manufacturers recommend zapping your parameter RAM (command-option-control-P-R) while restarting. Remember that this action resets several basic system preferences (such as Date & Time, AppleTalk, and Disk Cache), so make sure that you clean up after a PRAM zap.

x100 upgrade NewerTECH FAQs

Q: Will the upgrade work with a PowerComputing Power 100 or Power 120?
A: Yes, but only the caddyless version. The PDS slot is on the left side rather than the right as with the 7100 and 8100 so you will lose your HPV or AV card. If you have a NuBus video card or use your high density video port, you can use the caddyless version.

Q: Will the G3 upgrades work with AudioMediaII.
A: Yep, works great.

Q: Will the G3 upgrades work in the Radius 81/110 and Radius System 100?
A: Yes.

Q: Will the motherboard video connector on the back of my 6100, 7100 and 8100 still work once I install the G3 card?
A: Yes. It is unaffected by the presence, or absence, of a G3 card.

Q: Does the FWB SCSI Jackhammer work with these NuBus G3 Upgrades?
A: Yes.

Q: Will my 7100/8100 Apple AV card still be usable?
A: Yes. Whether you have a 7100 or an 8100 you will be able to keep your AV card. It needs to be repositioned in the caddy that comes with the G3 card from Newer.

Q: Is there enough room in the 6100 and the Performa 61xx machines for your G3 card and an Apple AV card?
A: Yes. Everything fits without any trouble. And these are dead easy to install.

Q: I have heard that the PDS Video card that is currently installed in both my 7100 and 8100 will work with your new G3 card. I have also heard that it will lay across the NuBus slots and render them useless. I hope this isn't true. Please enlighten me.
A: Your PDS Video card can still be used. It will reside in the middle NuBus slot through a clever mounting scheme. It leaves the first and third NuBus slots available.

Q: Will the Apple DOS card work with the G3 Upgrade Card in my 6100?
A: No.

Q: Will my existing Cache and Bus Speed be affected by the G3 card?
A: Yes and No. Your existing Cache becomes obsolete. It simply serves no function any longer due to the ultra-fast Backside Cache on the G3 card. Your Bus Speed remains the same. This is what allows all your peripherals and I/O Systems to function correctly. The net affect is that you will see a tremendous performance increase the moment you install the G3 card.

Q: Will any of my existing equipment need to be replaced in my 6100s and 7100s in order to use the new G3 card?
A: No, except the DOS card will not work with the 6100. But you can run DOS and Windows using Virtual PC at Pentium speed.

Q: Do I have to change the SIMMs that are in my box?
A: No. Your existing memory will work just fine with the G3 upgrade card. But we would strongly encourage you to consider the purchase of additional memory. The G3 CPU upgrade adds so much additional performance to your computer that you will quite likely find yourself running larger, more complex applications, and those apps will want more memory.

Q: Can I use my existing 1MB L2 motherboard-based Cache module?
A: No... well, sort of. You could use it but it wouldn't be an advantage for you. The bus in these computers is rather slow. Therefore the L2 cache on the motherboard is pretty slow. However, the Backside L2 Cache on the G3 card is extremely fast. Even a smaller amount of Backside Cache will dramatically out perform the motherboard L2 Cache. So the answer is Yes - it would work, but No - you don't want to use it.

Q: I'm using a Video Vision Studio and Radius recommends System 7.5.1. Will the G3 card work with this version of System Software?
A: Yes.

Q: I have a NuBus-based SpigotPower AV card. Will it work with your G3 upgrade?
A: Yes, we believe so. But the last supported version of the operating system was 7.5.1 so we think you will need to stay with that version.

Q: Will these cards work with Rhapsody?
A: We don't think so. Apple has stated that they do not intend on writing NuBus Drivers for Rhapsody. Once upon a time everyone asked this same question about Copeland and as it turned out the answer was not important. As of this point in time the market still does not appear to understand what Rhapsody is. However, it now seems that whatever it is, or will ultimately become, it will not run on these computers.

Q: Will the G3 upgrades work in the Radius 81/110 and Radius System 100?
A: Yes

Q: Which computers do your new upgrades work in?
A: 6100 Series 6100/60, 6100/60AV, 6100/66, 6100/66AV, Performa 6110CD, Performa 6112CD, Performa 6115CD, Performa 6116CD, Performa 6117CD, Performa 6118CD 7100 Series 7100/66, 7100/66AV, 7100/80, 7100/80AV 8100 Series 8100/80, 8100/80AV, 8100/100, 8100/100AV, 8100/110; Workgroup Server 6150, Workgroup Server 6150/66, Workgroup Server 8150, Workgroup Server 8150/110, Workgroup Server 9150, Workgroup Server 9150/120, Radius 81/110, Power 100 and Power 120.

Q: How can the G3 possibly be compatible with my computer that has the original PowerPC 601 in it?
A: In the 6100/7100 and 8100 the CPU is soldered to the motherboard. So you can't just replace the processor (as is possible with some other Macs) But we were able to find ways to make the 601 and the G3 operate seamlessly, and to ensure that the NuBus slots and the G3 processor get along. And the net effect for you is an easy upgrade.

Q: Can I use a NuBus card in my 6100 with your G3 upgrade?
A: No. NuBus cards are supported through the use of a unique "NuBus riser card". The G3 upgrade must physically occupy the same space as the NuBus riser. But, the G3 upgrade does provide a PDS pass-through connector which allows the Apple AV card to be used.

Q: Will the power supply in my 6100 support the addition of a G3 processor?
A: Yes.

Newer Technology, Inc.
4848 W. Irving Street Wichita, KS 67209

more of your questions

Q: Will these new CPUs ship with the Connectix Ram/Speed Doubler bundle and Virtual PC?
A: Sorry, but no. Newer have made a concerted effort to keep the new G3 prices down to a bare minimum, so the free software bundle has had to be sacrificed.

Q: I have a clock-chipper in my 6100. Can I still use it with my CPU upgrade?
A: No. It will not work with the G3 and should be removed. Using a clock-chipper with a G3 is like push-starting a Ferrari with a wrecking ball.