[parisblue]

Here's my problem.

I have an old Power Macintosh 8500/132 which I've upgraded with a Sonnet Crescendo 300MHz/1MB card. I run system 8.6 on it. I recently bought (yesterday ) a Firewire/USB Combo card which I've plugged into one of my free PCI slots.

I have to install the Z-Firewire 2.3.3 driver to use the Combo card, but because I don't want to upgrade to System 9.1 I have to get a Firmware Update. Now Apple's G3 Firmware Update 1.1 is for Blue and White G3s. Strictly speaking I have a Power Mac that has been souped up to a G3.

Will I be safe using that Firmware update on my 8500/132 upgraded with the above mentioned Sonnet card?

I have been told that Firmware updates are not to be taken lightly i.e. downgrading back might be difficult so I want to be sure before I do it. I have, of course, written to Sonnet but no answers yet. Does anyone here have any suggestions/answers for me?

Thanks in advance.

Paris Blue

[Paul S]

I would not run the firmware update. It is concerned with what the original system is, not what you've upgraded it too. Odds are the firmware update wouldn't run anyway as soon as it detects that you have a 8500.

If your goal is to run FireWire devices, download the FireWire 2.5 drivers from Apple. That should take care of most any device out there you want to run (save for manufacturer drivers that might be required).

[parisblue]

Originally posted by Paul S:
<STRONG>If your goal is to run FireWire devices, download the FireWire 2.5 drivers from Apple. That should take care of most any device out there you want to run (save for manufacturer drivers that might be required).</STRONG>

Paul,

Thanks for the reply. However, the FireWire 2.5 driver is for System 9 onwards and won't install on a machine running 8.6. I still haven't had a reply from Sonnet, and this is getting annoying not being able to use the connector because I know that it can be used, I just need a driver that works.

Anyone else out there that can help.

Paris Blue