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XPostFacto Compatibility

May 10, 2005
Ryan Rempel
osxguru@macsales.com

Here is some information about compatibility. If you spot any errors or omissions, feel free to let me know!

Common Features
Feature Comments
ADB Supported for mice and keyboards. I am not sure how well other ADB devices work.
CD-ROM Generally supported, but there are difficulties with certain models
CPU
  • G3 and G4 upgrades work, but you will need software to enable the L2 and/or L3 cache. Note that Umax S900 users have been reporting difficulties with the Sonnet G4/700 and G4/800 CPU upgrades in 10.2 and later.
  • The 603 and 604 processors work with Mac OS X 10.0 through 10.2 (i.e. not 10.3 or later).
  • The 601 processor does not work with Mac OS X.
Ethernet Generally supported, but see notes on specific models below.
Floppy Drive Not supported by Mac OS X.
Localtalk (that is, Appletalk over serial ports) Not supported--unlikely to ever be supported
RAM Supported :-) But it is worth noting that Mac OS X is pickier about RAM than Mac OS 9, so if you have marginal RAM, it may pass tests in Mac OS 9 and still cause problems in Mac OS X.
SCSI Supported. However, Mac OS X is very picky about SCSI cables and termination issues.
Serial ports Supported, but not for serial printers. It is possible that serial printer support could be added to the CUPS system.
Sound-in Partly supported depending on model -- the mic input on the 7300 - 9600 is working now with version 3.1, but the RCA inputs on the 7600 etc. are not yet working.
Sound-out Supported. Volume adjustment is working as of version 3.1.

Apple Desktops
Model Comments
4400 Unsupported. But may be supported in future.
5200, 5260, 6200, 6300, 6320 Unsupported. I have not investigated these models--it might not be impossible.
6100, 7100, 8100 Unsupported, due to Nubus architecture and 601 CPU. Unlikely to be fixed.
5400, 5500, 6300, 6360, 6400, 6500 Unsupported, but in progress. The main problem is that SCSI and Ethernet are not working, which makes installation difficult. Also, will not work with Mac OS X 10.3 or later, because of 603 CPU.
Twentieth-Anniversay (TAM) Unsupported, but work in progress.
7200 Unsupported, due to the 601 CPU. Unlikely to be fixed.
7300, 9500, 8600, 9600 Supported. See comments on specific features above.
7500 Supported. But requires CPU upgrade (i.e. does not work with original 601 CPU. And video in/out does not work.
7600, 8500 Supported. But video in/out does not work.
9500MP, 9600MP Supported. But only one processor is active.
Beige G3's Supported -- mainly for the sake of Panther (supported by Apple pre-Panther).
Early iMacs Will be supported in XPF 4 (was supported by Apple pre-Tiger).

Apple PowerBooks
Model Comments
2400, 3400 Semi-supported. Will not work with Mac OS X 10.3, because of 603 CPU. Sleep and battery-monitoring is not supported. PC Card support limited.
Original Powerbook G3 Semi-supported. Sleep and battery-monitoring is not supported. PC Card support limited, but better in Mac OS X 10.2
Wallstreet Powerbooks Supported -- mainly for the sake of Panther (supported by Apple pre-Panther).
Lombard Powerbooks Will be supported by XPF 4 (was supported by Apple pre-Tiger).
Early iBooks (no Firewire) Will be supported by XPF 4 (was supported by Apple pre-Tiger).

Clones
Model Comments
Daystar Genesis, Millenium Supported. But only one processor is active.
Starmax 3000, 4000, 5000 Unsupported, but work in progress.
PowerBase Unsupported. See comments on 6400, above.
PowerCenter, PowerCenter Pro, PowerCurve, PowerTower Supported. But built-in video does not work, so requires a video card.
PowerWave, PowerTower Pro Supported. See comments on common features above.
Umax J700, S900 Supported. See comments on common features above. Also note that Umax S900 users have been reporting difficulties with the Sonnet G4/700 and G4/800 CPU upgrades in Mac OS X 10.2 and later.
Umax Apus 2000, 3000, C500, C600 Unsupported. See comments on 6400 above.

Video Cards
Model Comments
ATI Radeon 7000 It works with Mac OS X 10.1.5 and later. For best results, select the card as the "output-device" in the "Open Firmware" menu of XPostFacto.
Other ATI cards Also generally work. Depending on the card, and your version of Mac OS X, you may need to apply a firmware update or install a new driver.
ixMicro ix3D UltimateRez Works, but no acceleration.

SCSI Cards
Model Comments
Adaptec [To be filled in].
ATTO [To be filled in].

ATA Cards
Model Comments
Acard [To be filled in].
Sonnet [To be filled in].
VST [To be filled in].

Firewire/USB Cards
Model Comments
MacAlly [To be filled in].
Ratoc [To be filled in].
Sonnet [To be filled in].