Firmware update listing error in ASP?; Apple drops support for older Power Macs? Apple mouse freeze; more

Firmware update version as listed in ASP Ken Ebersole notes that Apple System Profiler 2.4.4, included with Mac OS 9.0.4, lists the latest G4 Firmware (Boot ROM) Update 2.4 as $0003.24f1. The previous 2.4.2 version of Apple System Profiler lists it more simply as 2.4f1. We can confirm this happens on our Mac as well. However, we are not certain if this is an error in the new version of ASP or an intentionally different way of listing the Boot ROM version. Apple drops support for original Power Macs? A source informs us that, as of July 1, Apple will no longer be selling parts for nor otherwise supporting the Performa 630 and the first generation Power Macs (6100/7100/8100/8150/9150 models). Some Apple mice may freeze the Mac Michael Norris recently had a problem with a cursor freeze attributed to the mouse that comes with G4s and iMacs. This has been an ongoing problem (see MacFixIt Forums threads one, two, and three). As noted in the second thread, Apple may have fixed the problem in recently shipping Macs and may replace your mouse if it is a defective one. Be careful when unwrapping an iMac An Apple technician informs us that slot-loading iMacs come wrapped in a "bag that has been sealed with an adhesive label which displays some text regarding software usage agreement, etc. Be careful not to let this label come in contact with the iMac as you unwrap it. The adhesive leaves a sticky residue that does not come off and can ruin the plastic finish of the iMac case." Update: Another Certified Apple Technician offers this "solution" (use at your own risk): "Use a clean, soft cotton cloth and Ivory dish washing liquid. Dampen the cloth so that it is moist, certainly not dripping wet. Apply the Ivory liberally to the cloth, using a circular motion work on the spot. It is important to keep the area wet and flowing, once again not dripping. I eventually used my index finger to work on the spot. I alternated between the cloth and my finger. The process took about an hour and a half. When the job was completed it was hardly noticeable." Michael Oliwa believes that the real culprit here is not the adhesive but the solvent used to try to remove it. Many solvents can damage plastic. He suggests: "Bestine, otherwise known as rubber cement thinner, is designed to dissolve most rubber-based adhesives, and leave plastics unharmed. If a residue is left, it can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol (neither one a plastics solvent), or soap and water. PowerChute compatibility Brian Smith was told by APC that their PowerChute software will not work with non-USB Power Macs nor will it support ADB Power Macs with a USB PCI card. He adds: "It has long been known that the PowerChute software does not support OS 9." However, no reports of this have been previously posted to MacFixIt. Update: Also odd is that the PowerChute page appears to state that it will work with non-USB Power Macs: "PowerChute for Macintosh provides safe, unattended shutdown of Apple Macintosh computers attached to an APC UPS via the serial port. PowerChute for Macintosh will not support USB connections." Contour Unimouse update fixes VPC conflict Pete Langlois of Contour Design informs us that a previously reported problem with using the Contour Unimouse with Virrtual PC has been fixed with Contour OverDrive 1.3.5 (released last April).