Crescendo/PCI G3 & G4
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Driver (1)
Firmware (0)
Manual (2)
FAQ (12)
IDArticle TitlePost Date
72 The Crescendo/Encore installer hangs, or crashes the system; occurs most often when run from the Sonnet installer CD.May-12-09
Under certain conditions, the Crescendo/Encore Installer application encounters conflicts that cause it to hang, or even crash the computer when the computer is booted in Mac OS 9 with extensions on.

Solution:

1) If you have attempted to run the application directly from the Sonnet Installer CD, copy the Crescendo/Enc Ins file from the CD to the desktop (single-click and drag the file from the Mac OS 7-9 ONLY, not CLASSIC folder on to the desktop). Otherwise, go to step 2.

2) Restart the computer under Mac OS 9 with extensions off (hold down the Shift key when you turn on the computer until the message "Extensions Off" appears).

3) Launch the Crescendo/Encore Installer from the desktop and follow the instructions.
 
73 What are the known incompatibilities with the Crescendo/PCI G4 700 and 800?May-12-09
74 Why can't I run Mac OS 9.2 on my computer upgraded with a Crescendo/PCI G4 800 (or 700)?May-12-09
When Apple created Mac OS 9.2, they decided to limit the number of machines supported to make the testing and qualification job easier. To accomplish this, they removed some specific parts of the operating system software that enabled operation on the Power Macintosh 9500 family and earlier machines; beige Power Macintosh G3 models are the oldest systems still supported under Mac OS 9.2.

It turns out that it is possible to add these sections of system software back in, and create a hybrid Mac OS 9.2 that will run with the 9500 family and the Crescendo/PCI G4 800 and 700. There is a web site, www.os9forever.com, which provides tools to do this for Mac OS 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. Unfortunately, Sonnet cannot provide support for this modification, although the Crescendo/PCI G4 800 (and 700) will operate with it.
 
169 May I discard my original CPU after installing Sonnet's upgrade cards? May-07-09
171 The speed indicated on the G3 or G4 chip on my Sonnet processor upgrade doesn't seem to match the speed of the upgrade I purchased. What's the story?May-07-09
175 The Crescendo/Encore installer hangs, or crashes the system; occurs most often when run from the Sonnet installer CD while using Mac OS 9.May-07-09
218 The computer's standard startup process takes noticeably longer after upgrading to any Mac OS 9.x system from Mac OS 8.6 or earlier.May-12-09
228 System will not finish start-up process. Hang or crash occurs before desktop appears.Jun-23-09
229 After installing my new Crescendo/PCI processor upgrade in a Power Tower Pro, I can hear the boot chime when I turn the computer on, but the video display never comes up.May-12-09
Some PowerTower Pros have a second, very different motherboard design. The problematic version of the motherboard appears to be very rare, based on Sonnet's sales history and the number of related calls.

You can identify the problematic motherboard by the part number. The part number is "silkscreened" onto the motherboard in white ink, like all the other markings on the board, and is located along the edge of the motherboard when you open the case and look directly at it (see below). The part number on the problematic system is PCC-5000-0141-01.

Sonnet has been unable to resolve this issue; Crescendo/PCI processor upgrade cards are incompatible in this one, specific instance. If you already purchased a Crescendo/PCI card and your computer has the motherboard described, return the product to the place you purchased the card and request a refund.

PowerTower Logic Board
 
230 After installing a Crescendo/ PCI G4 700 or 800 MHz upgrade, I opened Apple System Profiler and it is reporting the processor type as unknown and the speed as 450 MHz.May-12-09
231 After following the instructions and installing both the Crescendo/PCI G4 700 or 800 MHz upgrade card and its included software into my computer, the video is distorted and my cursor is a rectangular block that cannot move more than halfway down the screen.Jun-23-09
233 G4 performance drops following Mac OS 9.x system software update.May-12-09
This is not a malfunction and is not related in any way to Sonnet upgrade products; this is the result of an additional Mac OS 9.x startup process that did not occur during startup in earlier Mac OS versions. There is a new "hidden" Mac OS 9.x feature called Startup Memory Tests in the Memory Control Panel, which defaults to the "On" setting. This adds time during a startup or restart, as all of the RAM installed in the computer is checked.

This issue affects any machine running Mac OS 9.x, with or without upgrades installed. The more RAM installed, the longer the test. Note that a Mac upgraded with a Sonnet G3 or G4 processor card gets through this process much faster than a "stock" machine.

Since this is not a malfunction, no solution is required. However, since RAM seldom fails after the first few days of regular use, you may turn this test off if a faster startup cycle is desired. To access this feature you must hold down the Command key and the Option key WHILE opening the Memory Control Panel. When the control panel opens, you will see a setting at the bottom of the control panel. Click the Startup Memory Tests\u8217 Off button, then close the Memory Control Panel. Be aware that from now on, when you start up or restart your computer, the Mac OS will NOT check your RAM. If in the future you suspect a memory problem and want to check your RAM, you will need to repeat this procedure and turn the Startup Memory Tests back on.