XLR8 Ate My Review, or How It Was So Easy I Almost Had Nothing to Write About!

by John H. Farr

What an opportunity! A chance to install two boxes full of goodies from XLR8 into the ole PowerMac 8600/200: A 450 MHz MACh Carrier G3 upgrade, a DualPort USB PCI card, and a Point & Scroll USB Mouse.

The G3 upgrade was the most important, but adding USB capability to the 3-year-old PowerMac was a very attractive proposition, considering all the nifty USB gadgets now on the market. Accordingly, I also asked for the USB Performance Package, which includes the DualPort, the two-button scrolling USB mouse, and a fabulous software package. (You'll find separate ratings or comments for each of these items at the end of this review.) I'll tell you right here at the beginning that installation was absurdly easy, required no adjustments or fiddling, and nearly left me with nothing to write about. What follows for your reading pleasure is a blow-by-blow of the particulars involved, but I could just as well have said:

Overview

I had never installed a processor upgrade of any kind before. I had never installed a PCI card before. On two occasions during the past two years I did successfully install two 64MB RAM modules, extra VRAM, and a 1MB L2 cache. The cache upgrade was an extended nightmare because the original 256K cache module at first refused to come out! You should have seen me yanking on that thing again and again until my fingers blistered, with the motherboard flexing up and down like a trampoline. All I can say is that Apple's motherboards are very sturdy components. . .

My general attitude to upgrading hardware and software has always been, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This stems less from practical considerations than from stupid phobias, especially if it has to do with opening up the 8600 and mucking about inside. Visions of fat bolts of static electricty leaving the Big Guy a smoking ruin always run through my head,though a more likely screw-up would be dropping something evil down inside where I couldn't reach it or sneezing all over sensitive components. Years of working on cars had taught me that if it was possible to drop a tiny, essential screw into the greasy gravel underneath the engine compartment, this boy would do it.

So I was at least as wary as any newbie, and besides that, I used the machine every day working for Applelinks. If I caused it to misbehave in any way, my news reporting and column writing would go down the tubes. The new iBook, however, provided a dependable backup machine -- time to go to work!

Doing the Deed

The plan was to install everything at once, as long as I was going to open the case. I decided where I would do the work and gathered all the components and tools together in one spot, because you don't want to be walking around the joint generating static charges while you've got your computer opened up. The kitchen with its Saltillo tile floor was perfect!

I made sure to read the manuals, so I had a clear mental picture of what to expect, and I installed all the software first: the XLR8 software (including special extensions and the MACh Speed Control Software) and everything required for the DualPort USB card and the USB mouse. After powering down the Big Guy, I crawled under my desk to uncable the beast and lugged it to the brightly-lit counter. After attaching the thoughtfully-provided anti-static strap, I was ready to go.

The 8600 opens up like a suitcase -- well, a rather odd one -- and in 20 seconds or so I was staring at the motherboard. God, where did all that dust come from around the edges?? Before I did anything else I made sure to touch the metal cover on the power supply, then carefully blew or wiped away all the dust bunnies I could see. (Note: use a can of compressed air or whatever Radio Shack sells to do the blowing, otherwise you may spray tiny drops of conductive saliva all over the place.)

The next step was the hardest, psychologically speaking, because I had to remove the original CPU card. This was the dependable Big Guy, my livelihood, my friend, my baby, and I had to pull out its brain! The provided directions and pictures were clear and simple. All you have to do is grasp it by the edges and pull straight up, and doggone if it didn't come right out! After my previous experience with the stuck L2 cache, this was very reassuring, let me tell you.

The next thing I was supposed to do was find the motherboard reset switch or CUDA and depress it for five seconds, a task that caused me to discover the only mistake in the XLR8 installation manual: "It is a small red button." Well, no, it isn't. In my machine it was a small brownish-gray button that may have been red once upon a time but certainly wasn't! This caused some initial concern, but it looked like a button, it was small, and so I pushed it with a ballpoint pen tip as advised. Nothing beeped or blew up in my face, so I felt pretty cocky. (Note that if this step is not carried out properly, your machine won't boot up.)

Step Three: "remove the motherboard cache." Oh no, not that again! But the 1MB L2 cache module came out in one long tug, much more easily than the original 256k cache it replaced. Success! I could have left it in, letting it become an L3 cache (the upgrade has its own on-board 1MB cache), but for maximum compatibility, this is the way to go. And now I was ready for the brain transplant!

The instructions were clear enough: hold the carrier upgrade card by the edges and push it straight down into the empty slot. Don't worry, the card only fits one way. The manual describes exactly how it feels to push the card down and ascertain whether it is completely seated. "When the card is properly installed, you can't see any of the gold contacts." If you don't know what you're looking at, this advice won't help much, but after installing I looked and thought the contacts were covered. Remember, I had never done this before. I had no idea how it would feel to push this expensive chunk of plastic and metal down into place, but I went ahead and did it. Nothing broke or exploded, the contacts were covered (?), and after installing the USB card (piece o' cake), I proceeded to close the case. Or tried to.

I could tell that something was wrong, because it didn't look like things were swinging back into place like they should. Clearly the carrier card was sticking up too far and hadn't been inserted all the way. I gave it one more steady forceful push and was rewarded by a quiet little "ka-chunk" as it slipped in the rest of the way. Now the case closed without a hitch! I carried the 8600 back to my desk, set it on the floor and connected the power cord and the monitor cable. Gulp! If it didn't boot up. . .except it DID! That startup chime never sounded so sweet. As I sat there with my mouth hanging open, my transformed 8600 booted up like a champ. I'm here to tell you that if I can do this, anyone can! You have no more reason to be afraid of opening up your Mac and installing this upgrade than you do crossing the street. In both cases you need to pay attention, but grownups shouldn't have any trouble.

A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

There were a couple of issues that required attention, but none of them were XLR8's fault! In my zeal to accomplish everything at one time I got a bit ahead of myself, to wit:

Included on the CD-ROM is a handy little downloadable item from Apple. This is a required software component without which any USB devices you attach to your new USB ports will not work. Install this USB-enabling goodie before you try that USB mouse! Naturally I did not, and since I had already removed the original ADB mouse and attached the cool two-button USB scrolling mouse, I found myself with no way to click a dialog box button that required attention. Very embarrassing, and naturally I had to shut down and start over.

Also, at some point in this process the system clock decided it was 1956 or '57, I can't remember. (If I was supposed to zap the P-RAM as part of the procedure, this step eluded me.) Those of you with more experience in these matters might have expected resetting the motherboard or some other action to have this effect, but not me, of course. This is not a big deal, but if it happens to you, do not run Norton Utilities to tidy things up before setting the clock like I did. I hope you're laughing, because this was truly dumb of me: you never saw so many files with supposedly incorrect modification dates in your life! After I finally figured out what year it was and let the Mac in on the secret, I was compelled to let Disk Doctor clickety-clack its way through every miserable little file to get things straight.

Bottom Line, Part One

If you've been thinking about installing a G3 upgrade, DO IT! It isn't hard or dangerous to open up your Mac, and you'll die from happiness at how much more quickly everything works. Since this particular review takes for granted that going from a 200MHz 604e processor to a 450MHz G3 will blow your mind, I haven't included any specific performance observations. I do recommend taking a look at the XLR8 upgrade experiences of other PowerMac 8500/8600 owners published by Accelerate Your Mac , however, espeically if you do encounter any problems. My main point in writing this review is to show you how easy it is to upgrade your Mac with XLR8's hardware and software. The directions in the very fine manuals are well-written, opiously illustrated, and cover virtually all PowerMacintosh models and clones.I made no changes or adjustments to either the Carrier card or the software. When I first booted up the 8600 after the upgrade, the XLR8 software automatically adjusted the backside cache speed and I haven't touched the settings since. After a week of constant daily use, there hasn't been a single problem or system crash. I'm in heaven!

Oh Yes, the Mouse!

I'm happy to report that the USB scrolling mouse (available as a separate item for less than $30) is a delight in itself and well worth adding the USB capability, ust to be able to use. (If I haven't mentioned it already, note that adding this interface to my 8600 took about an extra 45 seconds once the computer was opened up. All you have to do is remove one little screw and pop the USB card into the slot). The USB cable is quite long and easily reaches the USB port on the back of the 8600 which rests on the floor under my desk. It has two buttons which can be programmed in a variety of ways -- in default mode the right-hand button calls up the contextual menus, a very handy feature. The scrolling wheel seems more of a novelty than a real tool, since I haven't gotten used to it yet, but time will tell. The mouse feels so good under my hand, I never want to go back to the original ADB version.

And the Software?

XLR8 packages a universal software install CD with all its products. The most relevant application is the MACh Speed G3 Control Software, which allows for tweaking of the backside cache speed. My machine runs perfectly at the automatically determined setting, however, and I am not inclined to quibble. A package called PowerPack includes PowerControl and PowerFrax, a suite of powerful testing and benchmarking utilities that are beyond the intended scope of this article but which you will likely find very useful. ("He didn't even try them!" Correct, for now. But I'm going to!)

Bottom Line, Part Two

The XLR8 line of upgrade products is highly regarded and I can understand why. Everything from the packaging to the documentation speaks quality and thoroughness. (Apple Computer could learn a thing or two from the manuals provided with my MACh Carrier G3 Upgrade and Performance Package.) Not only is everything accurately illustrated and detailed, but the basic concepts involved are explained. It feels very reassuring to think that the manufacturer wants me to understand why I'm being told to do this or that. While it seems as if XLR8 could have gotten by with less, since the installation of these components went so smoothly, they did not ! And I am very grateful.

I don't mind telling you that I was rather nervous in the days leading up to installing the G3 upgrade and the USB card, but what a waste of energy! I'm still stunned at how simple the entire procedure was and at the fact that everything worked perfectly from the very start. In just a few minutes I turned my PowerMac 8600 into a "full-blown G3 workstation," as the company's publicity advertises, and added USB capability as well.

The Carrier component of the MACh Carrier G3 upgrade also gives owners of pre-G3 PowerMacs the ability to install even faster ZIF (zero insertion force) G3 and G4 CPUs if desired and is a major reason I wanted this particular version. PCI-based PowerMac and clone owners can also choose the standard non-upgradeable MACh Speed G3 upgrade, which comes with the USB Performance Package (available after product registration)! According to the XLR8 price list page, the 450MHz MACh Carrier G3 upgrade carries an MSRP of $749. [UPDATE: New price reductions just announced!] The XLR8 Performance Package which includes the DualPort USB card and the new Point&Scroll Mouse lists for $69. You may be able to find these items for less from various vendors, so shop around. The card is available separately for $44.95, too.

All in all, simple to install and a joy to own. So far the most noticeable performance improvements include virtually instant window redraws and the way our printer leaps into action like a scalded jackrabbit. But everything works much more quickly (obviously!), and the stylish, fun-to-use mouse is icing on the cake. The G3 upgrade is a great way to extend the life of older machines with large amounts of RAM or other expensive components and peripherals you wouldn't be able to use with a new PowerMac G4, and the USB card gives you a chance to sample the plethora of new toys that have come on the market since the introduction of the iMac. You do need to consider whether the cost is justified in light of the terrific value represented by the latest Macintosh hardware, but if it is, have no fear: your only problem will be how to tear yourself away from your new warp-speed PowerMac.

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May 26, 2012