We haven't encountered any problems during our testing of a Macintosh IIfx
client on a Macintosh IIci AppleShare File Server over LocalTalk.
We tested the Macintosh IIfx both in the "compatibility" and "faster" modes.
We wrote a program to run on the client Macintosh IIfx to write 512 bytes at a
time to a file until it grew to 3MB, then erase the file and repeat the
process. These specific tests ran over 24 hours. We also ran other tests over
EtherTalk while investigating another unrelated issue, and the Macintosh IIfx
client didn't hang during any of these tests.
Troubleshooting
---------------
- Have you tried running the Macintosh IIfx with the IOPs turned off/on?
- Do other Macintosh IIfx systems have the same problem?
- Are you using a clean system? (Did you trash the System Folder and
reinstall?)
- Have you tried connecting other Macintoshes to the network connector
that the Macintosh IIfx was connected to?
- Does the Macintosh IIfx in question have problems when connected to
other physical networks?
- Are the other Macintosh systems used similarly; that is, are they
connected to AppleShare for the same length of time, are they running
the same software?
Another line of inquiry:
Is your Macintosh IIfx attached to a Farallon "Black Beauty" Star
Controller or a Nuvotech TurboStar? Farallon and Nuvotech have
acknowledged severe performance problems with the Macintosh IIfx over
LocalTalk on their star repeaters.
Both Farallon and Nuvotech are shipping upgrades to fix compatibility
problems with the Macintosh IIfx and the Apple IIGS. These systems
exhibit extremely slow network response, sometimes to the point that they
seem to hang, when using those network products. This may explain your
problem.
Nuvotech's upgrade to their TurboStar involves exchanging the old
connector for a new one. Arrange an upgrade by contacting Nuvotech. All
new TurboStars shipped since approximately the middle of June 1990 have
the upgraded components and can be identified by the rev number ECO #4 on
the circuit board. This newer connector also fixes previous compatibility
problems with ImageWriters having and using the LocalTalk Expansion Cards
and with PCs using LocalTalk PC Cards.
Farallon's upgrade involves installing a new chip in the "Black Beauty"
Star Controller (part #207--easily identified since the case is black).
The new platinum-colored Star Controller (part number 307) contains the
fix.
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Article Change History:
27 July 1993 - Company title updated from Focus Enhancements to Focus
Enhancements, Inc.
19 June 1992 - Focus Enhancement, Inc. has acquired the Macintosh connectivity
product family from Nuvotech.