Macintosh System 7.5.3 Revision 2: FAQ

Question: What is System 7.5.3 Revision 2?

Answer: System 7.5.3 Revision 2 is a set of system software enhancements that improves the reliability and performance for the computers mentioned in a later question. The objective of this update is to quickly respond to bugs and deliver them on one disk, small enough where most people will want to obtain it electronically (through the Internet or on on-line services). The fixes it provides will be incorporated into an upcoming reference release of System 7.5.3. This update is the first of a series of rapid response updates for System 7.5.x that will be released prior to Mac OS 8.

Question: When will it be available?

Answer: Apple announced Macintosh System 7.5.3 Revision 2 on June 7, 1996. It has since been removed from the software updates web site and replaced with System 7.5 version 7.5.3. You can downloadthis software from the Apple Software Updates web site at http://www.apple.com/swupdates.

Question: Why is it called Revision 2?

Answer: Apple has decided to call this product System 7.5.3 Revision 2 and not use the term update for two reasons:

• Revision 2 will provide improvements only for specific computers running the current system software version, which is different from all other updates Apple has released in the past.
• In addition, Apple wanted to avoid confusion with other current system software update type of products from Apple.

Apple selected the 2 in Revision 2 since it already has released two minor versions of System 7.5 version 7.5.3. After installing System 7.5.3 Revision 2, all systems running System 7.5 version 7.5.3 will have all of the most current system improvements.

Question: Do I still need to install System 7.5 Update 2.0?

Answer: Apple released System 7.5 Update 2.0 several months ago, and still is recommending that customers using pre-7.5.3 versions of System 7.5 install it if they have not already. In addition, if your Power Macintosh came with System 7.5.3 pre-installed on it, and the About This Macintosh dialog does NOT read System 7.5.3 Rev 2, you should install the System 7.5.3 Update 2.0 software. You cannot skip the System 7.5 Update 2.0 and just install System 7.5.3 Revision 2 since System 7.5 Update 2.0 and System 7.5.3 Revision 2 do NOT contain all of the same fixes. So, if your computer requires System 7.5.3 Revision 2, then you should first install System 7.5 Update 2.0 and then install System 7.5.3 Revision 2, regardless which computer you have. After installing the above, you can then install System 7.5.5 Update for the latest version of System 7.5.

Question: Does Macintosh System 7.5.3 Revision 2 contain the Important Software Updates included with PCI Power Macintosh systems?

Answer: No. You should install these in addition to the Macintosh System 7.5.3 Revision 2 update.

Question: Who should install System 7.5.3 Revision 2?

Answer: Apple is recommending that only customers with specific system software and Macintosh computers update their systems with System 7.5.3 Revision 2. There is no benefit for other customers.

The only systems which will benefit from System 7.5.3 Revision 2 are as follows:

• All PowerBook systems using Connectix RAM Doubler
• All PowerBook 5300 and PowerBook Duo 2300 systems
• All PowerBook 200 or 500 Series systems which have been upgraded with the Macintosh PowerBook Processor Card Upgrade Kit with PowerPC (or upgraded with similar third party products).
• All Macintosh 7200, 7500, 7600, 8500, and 9500 systems

You should install System 7.5.3 Revision 2 only if you have a computer with System 7.5.3 installed or a PowerBook with System 7.5.2, PowerBook Enabler 1.2 or later installed. To find out what system software version your computer is using, follow these steps:

Step 1
Make sure you are in the Finder.

Step 2
Choose About This Macintosh from the Apple menu. The system software information is in the About This Macintosh window.

Question: What bug fixes are provided by Macintosh System 7.5.3 Revision 2?

Answer: When you install System 7.5.3 Revision 2, you get the following enhancements:

• Better reliability for PowerBooks using RAM Doubler. If you have a PowerBook using System Software 7.5.3, and use RAM Doubler (version 1.6.1 or earlier), you may have experienced a problem when waking your PowerBook from sleep. This software fixes this problem.
• Overall performance enhancements for PowerBook 2300 computers and PowerBook 500 or Duo series computers with the PowerPC Upgrade Card installed.
• Improved reliability when using PC-formatted floppy disks with a PowerBook 500 series computers with the PowerPC Upgrade Card installed. If you have a PowerBook 500 series computer with the PowerPC Upgrade Card installed, PC-formatted floppy disks that were formatted on your computer may be unreadable in DOS or Windows computers. This software fixes this problem.
• Improved reliability on PCI-based computers (Macintosh 7200, 7500, 7600, 8500, and 9500 computers) and PowerBook 5300 computers, PowerBook 2300 computers, and PowerBook 500 or Duo series computers with the PowerPC Upgrade Card installed.
• Improved reliability when copying files to a 1 gigabyte hard disk. If you have a PCI-based computer with a 1 gigabyte drive, this software helps avoid problems when copying files to the hard disk.
• Improved reliability when using the Startup Disk control panel. In rare instances, when you turn on a PCI-based Power Macintosh computer it may not start up from the disk selected in the Startup Disk control panel. This software fixes this problem.