L2Cache Enablers... |
October, 13, 2002 1:12 AM |
alan |
I have tried Ryan's L2CacheConfig, and the Sonnet Cache Enabler. Both have a dramatic effect after OS X boots, but neither show any L2 Cache in the system profiler. OS ( shows the full 1Mb. Does anyone see L2 Cache in the System Profiler??? Another observation: The Sonnet enabler seems to load earlier, because my boot time is much faster than with Ryan's enabler. The Sonnet enabler loads in /System/Library/Extensions, and Ryans loads in /Library/Startup Items. I wasn't going to even mess around with the Sonnet product, but I was curious about the difference. The boot time is a plesant surprise. The time on the "boot" screen (ie before the first blue OS X screen comes up, has been reduced from about 80 seconds down to 40 - a noticeable change... |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 21, 2002 12:01 PM |
earlyd416 |
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Sojourner09, Powerlogix's Cache s/w has both an install and uninstall script which you have to run from your terminal window. Instructions are included with the pkg which you can download from Powerlogix's site. After you uninstall the Powerlogix s/w, follow the L2 Cache Enabler 3.3 instructions. Worked from me in my 8600 with a Powerlogix PowerForce G4/450 card. --Dwight |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 21, 2002 10:35 AM |
heavyside |
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Bondster!! et.al.-- Here's what I found after removing my 256K of motherboard cache in my 8500/G3/300/1M, with a 50MHz bus: It takes about 3.5 minutes to boot to the logon screen, ~4 minutes total to be completely up, in OS 10.2.2. I've removed the 256k motherboard cache, and it seems to take a little longer to boot (~1 minute), otherwise seems to perform about the same as before. The 8500 has a 50 MHz bus. My OSX ASP now reports L2 Cache Size = 0K, in OS 10.2.2. Before I removed the motherboard cache, in OS 10.2.2 ASP would report that L2 Cache Size = 256K. In OS 9.1, Using NewerTech's G3 enabler MAXPowr 2.0.5 control panel, ASP reports that Backside Cache = 1M, without the 256K motherboard cache (this is the configuration I used to generate the L2CacheConfig file from for this report). With the 256K motherboard cache installed, using MAXPower 2.0.5 control panel, in OS 9.1 ASP would report that Backside Cache = 1M, & Motherboard Cache = 256K (for a total cache size of 1280K?), and I have used the L2CacheConfig file generated from this configuration in OSX without crashing in the past. I would like some reassurance that ASP in OSX is misreading the L2 cache size and that my 1M of L2 Backside cache is loading properly, and also I would like to know if enabling or disabling the 256K motherboard cache makes any difference in my case, or not. I've never had any crashes related to Ryan's L2CacheConfig in either case, except once when I increased the clock ratio to too high a speed for my 50MHz bus. In the past, I've generated a range of L2CacheConfig files, attempting to get my backside cache to load, when I thought that it was not loading due to the OSX ASP report results I was getting (same as what I'm still getting). -Jim |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 20, 2002 3:56 PM |
powderhaus |
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First off you should have been able to go to 10.2 with out going to 10.x (if you wanted to) I think all you have to do is tell it to not enable your cache and you should be good. if you want it compleatly out just follow the instructions in the read me. I think it is the same as installing but you use a different file. |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 20, 2002 2:48 PM |
Sojourner09 |
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Could someone please tell me how I might be able to intall Ryan's cache enabler and remove the powerlogix L2 cache. I have a PowerLogix G4/450, and 352 MG of RAM. I have hard the most difficult time re-installing even 10.0 after my system crashed following a 10.2 upgrade. It has not run on OS x for over a month now. |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 20, 2002 2:09 AM |
heavyside |
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Bondster!!!-- I'm guessing that if you're getting better performance, and showing some backside cache (or just cache) in ASP, that all of your 1024 K of backside cache is enabled, and ASP is just misreporting the size. But what do I know? Maybe someone else knows? I reckon this behooves me to do some experimentation, and I will remove my 256k of motherboard cache and see what ASP will report in OS 9x and in OSX, and I will report back the result to you. Give me a day, or so, I'm engaged in a rush project. Tell me what Firewire card you have, and which slot it's intalled in? I've heard that a maximum of 3 slots may be all you want to fill on Legacy OSX? I have an Adaptec FireConnect 4300, in slot #2. I had an IEEE 1394 card that blew up, and I replaced it with this card, which seems to perform fine (except it is not bootable, and I just found out that Firewire bootability is a function of Apple OEM ROM, and not a matter of drivers for the firewire cards themselves), and I haven't run any speed tests on it. -Jim |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 20, 2002 1:10 AM |
bondtrails |
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Heavy (and company), here's what I found: I booted into OS 9.1 and checked the Apple System Profiler (ASP) . According to the ASP, I have 1 Meg of backside L2 Cache--this was to be expected (because this is what NewerTech claimed their product to have). But in OS X (10.2), ASP reports 512K for an L2 Cache size. It doesn't say "backside" cache, just cache. I know this for sure, the onboard 256k cache is disabled, and before applying Ryan's Cache utility I didn't see any cache. So maybe some of the 1 meg NewerTech cache is now active?? --Bondster!! |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 19, 2002 9:12 AM |
bondtrails |
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Hey Heavy, I don't know if I have any motherboard backside cache installed--I should have done a before and after check. Later tonight I will boot into OS 9 and see what ASP reports, then I'll compare against what X reports and hopefully that will give us some answers. --Bondster!!! |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 19, 2002 12:56 AM |
heavyside |
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Bondster!!- Do you have any motherboard L2 cache installed on your machine, and is it 512k? I've left a 256k L2 motherboard cache installed as a hedge against my 1 M backside cache on my NewerTech G3 card not being enabled, and that is what ASP reports in OSX for my L2 cache size. I've become resigned to ASP not reporting cache size correctly in OSX, but I still have a lingering doubt that my 1 M backside cache is not being enabled in OSX. With the 256k motherboard cache in place, I don't notice a huge speed difference if the 1 M backside cache isn't enabled for some reason. Under OS 9.x and my NewerTech G3 card using MAXpowr 2.0.5 software to enable the G3 processor and cache, ASP reports BOTH the Backside Cache is 1 M and the motherboard cache as 256k, for a total of 1280k cache size, I guess. If you don't have any motherboard cache installed and ASP in X says that you have 512k cache size, this would be re-assurance for me that my 1024 k backside cache is enabled. Not proof, just re-assurance, which I'm badly in need of. I may go to the trouble of un-installing the motherboard cache and checking it as you have evidently done, and as OSXGuru has indicated elsewhere maybe we should do to help CacheConfig 3.3 do its work. Any helpful comments or suggestions on this, Larry? This is one reason I was screaming about "NewerTech's MaxPowrX Package won't install... " in another, earlier thread (posted Nov. 4, 2002). My hope was, since MAXPowr 2.0.5 seems to work so well, that MAXPowrX would also do a good job for a NewerTech G3 card, which I have... (sigh). -Jim |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 18, 2002 9:34 PM |
bondtrails |
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Hey there Heavy (and every other NewerTech G3 owner), I successfully installed Ryan's L2Cache Enabler and it is working like a charm! Actually, as some other Poster wrote "the difference is like night and day!" Under the Apple System Profiler, I am seeing the L2 Cache size as well (its reporting 512K size)--I wasn't seeing this before. Not sure why I'm not seeing the 1 meg, but hey, I'll take what I can get! --Bondster! (now to figure out why my Firewire card is so damn slow..) |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 18, 2002 4:53 PM |
swoup1213 |
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I've experimented with most of the L2 enablers. I first used the Ryan's 3.3 L2CacheConfig when I installed OS 10.2.2. Since that time, I've logged in as root to remove the .kext and then installed the XLR8 only to find that it dosen't really support 10.2.2. Removed those associated files and installed PowerLogix's which did wasn't compatible with my G3/400 Sonnet card on a Macintosh 9500. Removed those files and installed the Sonnet tune-up and reinsalled the XPostFacto extensions and it really does speed up the start-up process. Question: Is there any diagnostics for OSX that can display the current cache settings accurately? I installed the latest Sonnet software for my system OS 9.1 and have been using XLR8's previously because it will disable the motherboard cache (soldered) and the Sonnet software will not. Well the latest and greatest Sonnet software still does not disable the motherboard cache. Looks like I'll still use the XLR8 software for OS 9.1. Does anyone have any comments on this? Thanks Keith |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 18, 2002 3:31 PM |
bondtrails |
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Thanks Heavy, that's some valuable info you gave me. I am in fact using the 2.0.5 version control panel. I guess the only way I can tell if it works (once I configure it) is to do a before and after comparison--right now, OS X 10.2.1 server is kinda slow for a 333 Mhz machine. I'll report back sometime around midnight with the results. Thanks for your help! --Bondster!! |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 18, 2002 2:15 PM |
heavyside |
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Bondster!!-- I have a NewerTech 300/G3 w/ 1 meg of backside cache installed in a Apple 8500. Ryan's L2CacheConfig 3.3 enables the 1M cache, but this WILL NOT show up in the Apple System Profiler. I wish I had some other way to verify that it is working (other than ASP), but I'm accepting it on faith and the report from Ryan's L2CacheConfig 3.3 (you can open L2 Cache Enabler 3.3 in OSX to tweak the settings) that the backside cache is enabled. Use the GrabL2CacheSetting (included w/ L2CacheConfig33) to create a settings file from whatever works for your NewerTech G3 card in OS 9x. I assume you are using MAXPowr 2.0.5 control panel with your card in OS 9x, but if you aren't, and it works in OS 9x (ASP reports that it's working in OS 9x), then whatever you use to enable the cache in OS 9x will generate a cache config file for L2CacheConfig33 that will work in OSX. I tried both Sonnet's and PowerLogic's cache enablers, and could get neither to install on my machine. You can try them, if you want to and have the time to spare; they might work for you. |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 18, 2002 1:24 PM |
bondtrails |
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Everyone, is the L2 Cache enabler only for a select group of cards? I have a NewerTech 333Mhz G3 upgrade card and it comes with 1meg of cache. Its installed in my Umax S900. Will this cache enabler work for me? It seems that everyone is talking about it but only with respect to a G4 card. thanks ! --Bondster!! |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 17, 2002 2:22 PM |
earlyd |
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Marty & Tony, Since using L2 Cache Enabler 3.3, I've reduced my pile of chips and now only have 2 128 DIMMs that are bad. But the real good news is that I'm running my Powerlogix PowerForce G4/450 card 1) with Interleaved memory and 2) at a buss speed of 55MHz (440MHz CPU speed). Rock & Roll! Now, what's the next problem?... --Dwight |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 15, 2002 2:24 PM |
mjoecups358 |
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I also must report better results with Ryans Level2Cache config the the Powertlogix cache enabler. I am using a Powerlogix G4/450 which would not run at all at that speed with the powerlogix cache control installed... I went back to Ryan's, and now it runs again. As a stress test I like to run Altivec Fractal demo in automatic mode and play an MP3 via itunes at the same time. If the machine if flakey this will crash it within an hour or so usually. If it runs all night OK, then it's a winner. Marty |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 14, 2002 10:43 PM |
Tony.Scaminaci |
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I have a Sonnet G4 card in the 9500 and the latest Sonnet Tuneup causes it to freeze almost immediately with the launch of the first application. Of the three enablers, Sonnet's was the worst by far. It's now been four full days with L2CacheEnabler 3.3 and no problems have shown up. And the OWC DIMMs that I was blaming for the freezes are running fine now. My pile of left over cards, memory, etc. is starting to shrink...:-) Tony |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 14, 2002 9:11 PM |
powderhaus |
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Trying Sonnet's probably will not work and if your system is fine now there is no need to go through the hasle. Uninstalling Sonnet's is going to mean removing the extention that was installed. Sonnet's "No switches no control panals..." It probably will not work because you have a powerlogix card and Sonnet optimizes their software for their cards.(or just makes them none overclockable. however you like to think of it) |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers...Stable Again! |
November, 14, 2002 6:15 PM |
earlyd |
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2 days with no freeze back at the original 2:1 cache ratio using L2 Cache Enabler 3.3 with my Powerlogix PowerForce G4/450/225/1M card. Guess it was the Powerlogix Cache Control s/w that needs work. Anybody from Powerlogix following the Tech Forum? --Dwight |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 12, 2002 8:39 PM |
earlyd |
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I am in accord with Tony. No freezes since installing L2 Cache Enabler 3.3. I have been running Mozilla the whole time (since my posting on 10 Nov) which use to freeze immediately. But, my Powerlogix G4/450 is only running the cache @180 (ratio: 2.5). After posting this, I'm going to raise the ratio back to 2.0 & see if I can run freeze free. Keep your fingers crossed. --Dwight P.S. I haven't tried Sonnet's Tune-up yet nor swapped in my "bad" memory modules, yet. Not enough time. |
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System stability finally! |
November, 11, 2002 1:43 PM |
Tony.Scaminaci |
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Having switched to Ryan's 3.3 L2CacheConfig a few days ago, all of my freezes in Jaguar are history. Yesterday, I even got brave enough to add back in 256MB of OWC DIMMs that were pulled out of the 9500 over a month ago. The 9500 still passes memtest with the two OWC DIMMs installed and hasn't frozen once since the installation. At this point, I'm convinced that Powerlogix cache control 2.1b was causing my random freezes, not the OWC memory (at least not THESE two particular DIMMs). It took months to isolate the causes of my freezes, but I think I'm finally finished with the 9500. |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 10, 2002 11:30 PM |
powderhaus |
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After you install the sonnet tune up go strait to xpostfacto (before rebooting and in X) and use the reinstall extentions. it is faster and only takes 1 reboot. |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 10, 2002 1:03 PM |
marcush |
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Sonnet X Tuneup is an install and forget cache enabler. It loads very early in the boot process so you will notice a faster boot time. The only thing you can do with regards to it is reinstall the Xpostfacto extensions afterwards. It installs many of the same extensions XpostFacto does. The only one different is SonnetCache.kext, which you need to enable your caches. I've been able to run with all of the Sonnet kexts installed with no problems, but I reinstall XpostFacto's because they are newer. |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 10, 2002 12:31 PM |
earlyd |
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As I mentioned in the Memory Test tread, I now running Ryan's L2 Cache Enabler 3.3 with the Powerlogix PowerForce G4/450 card in my 8600(/200) without any freezes using Mozilla. Powderhaus suggested that we should try all 3 to figure out what really works best for each of our machines. Anybody else got a Powerlogix PowerForce G4/450 card in their Mac? If so, what works for you? The reason I'm curious is because of 1) lack of information on how the card is performing and 2) my confusion about how use the Sonnet Tuneup. --Dwight |
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RE: L2Cache Enablers... |
November, 10, 2002 10:37 AM |
Tony.Scaminaci |
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I think we're finding out that marginal DIMMs are not the only source of our freezes. It's becoming clearer that the cache enabler software also contributes to these freezes. Maybe we just have to try each of the three cache enablers and run with the one that is most stable for each of our cards. At least we can now reliably isolate bad DIMMs with memtest, so that part of the freeze mystery is solved. |