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Mac OS X 10.3.5 (#20): Battery problems; File sharing quirks

Mac OS X 10.3.5 (#20): Battery problems; File sharing quirks

CNET staff
3 min read

Battery problems Yesterday we covered an issue with OS X 10.3.5 -- one that existed in previous versions of OS X 10.3.x but was fixed, and has now reappeared -- where the PowerBook would fall asleep without warning, as if the battery was dead, but without the customary low battery warning. (We also provided a few workarounds.)

We've since received a few reports of other battery-related problems from readers. For example, reader Frederik writes:

"After updating. my battery goes from 40% (or thereabout) to 0% directly, [and then] half a minute after hitting the 0% mark in the menu-bar, the computer goes to sleep and is dead to the world until I plug it in to the wall again. After following all the advice in your article I still see the same problem."

File sharing/networking quirks Yesterday we posted comments from a reader who is experiencing problems with OS X's Network Browsing feature (accessible via Connect to Server's Browse button, or directly via Go -> Network in the Finder). Specifically, local Rendezvous-supported Macs do not show up in the Network view in the Finder, even though you can connect to them properly when you provide their actual IP addresses in the Connect to Server dialog.

A number of readers have confirmed this issue; however, some of these follow-up reports seem to indicate that this problem isn't limited to OS X 10.3.5. For example, reader Elly writes:

"I will confirm that when I started using my new 15" 1.5GB Powerbook, even with 10.3.4, and later with 10.3.5, I experienced the described file sharing quirk (unable to find Macs through Network browsing, but could through IP). At first (possibly only with 10.3.4) I could sometimes access it through the Network browse feature, after playing with the settings of the local Mac, but could never isolate a specific thing that would trigger it showing up on browse. I resorted to using connect by IP, after eventually failing completely to have it show up on browse. Then today, to write this confirmation, on testing it appears correctly through the Network icon right away! So I will confirm the history of it being buggy, but inconsistent and not reproducible."

Similarly, Robert Gross writes:

"I have had the same experience on multiple computers. It is sporadic and can almost always be fixed by rebooting. This is not new to 10.3.5, though. I have seen this in 10.3.4 and possibly earlier versions as well. Using the direct IP address always works in these cases."

Other file sharing issues We've also received reports of a few other file sharing-related issues:

    Even IP addresses not working Reader Ian Orchard notes that sometimes even using the IP address of another computer on the same local network doesn't allow a connection:

    "My home LAN (Pismo / iMac / LaserWriter , both 10.3.5, all sharing settings identical) has a real struggle. Sometimes it works perfectly first try, other times there is a solid wall of 'Server not responding,' attempting but timing out or simply failing to appear in the Network browsing window. Using the IP address [in Connect to Server] is no better at getting a connection."

    Problems mounting non-boot volumes Reader Mark Bolzan describes a different file sharing issue where sometimes non-boot volumes do not show up when connecting to the Mac sharing those volumes:

    "I have noticed an additional file sharing problem from two computers running OS X 10.3.5. (This is over a 100_baseT wired network.) My iBook has 3 partitions on it, plus a firewire external and usually two USB mounted disks. Sometimes if i connect to it from another computer, everything shows up. Other times, it seems if i go somewhere with the iBook, usually by sleeping it, then reconnect to the network, then try to connect to it from another computer, only a few drives show up. There does not seem to be any pattern to which show up. I can only fix this by restarting the iBook."

Are you experiencing issues with File Sharing under OS X 10.3.5? Drop us an email at Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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