Odds & Ends: FrameMaker 6 conflict; iBook power cord; Word 2001 and ATM conflict?; MYOB update font glitch

FrameMaker 6 and Apple Display SW 2.1.1 conflict David Roessli found that FrameMaker 6 is incompatible with Apple Display Software 2.1.1, which is bundled with the Apple Studio Display 17". He writes: "I've just installed my new Apple Studio Display 17" (a dream!) on my G3 B&W / ATI Radeon via DrBott's DVIator. I unpacked the new extensions with TomeViewer and all was well until I launched FrameMaker 6. It froze at launch. After several extension enable/disable restarts, I discovered that the culprit was the new ATI Graphics Accelerator v 5.3.4 bundled with Apple Display SW 2.1.1. Downgrading back to version 5.2.4 (bundled with Mac OS 9.1) partially fixed the problem. It works so-so, but the 2D acceleration is really sluggish, not acceptable at all. Swapping the extension creates problems too. The screen didn't power up initially, I had to zap the PRAM, and power down the whole system (monitor included) before it turned on again."

iBook battery charger cord subject to shorting? Paul Hitchcox writes: "I have two ten-month-old iBooks, both of which developed electrical shorts at the end of the battery charger cord, where the cord enters the plug (which then plugs into the iBook). The first unit sparked and died. I presumed it was a unique failure, but then my second charger encountered the identical problem ten days later."

Update: A reader writes: "I have an original iBook and my cord has shorted in the same place as Paul's 2 times. The first time Apple replaced it for free, but the second time I had to buy a replacement. The replacement is evidently 'improved' because they put a piece of plastic on it, and it is still working. However, I have had another short in the blue-ish power cord where it plugs into the 'yo-yo.'

Update: Tony Harmar writes: "I had the same problem with the charger cord for a brand new TiBook. The replacement is working well. It was baffling to find my new machine constantly lost battery power. Both Apple and I were baffled until I spotted arcing in the cable close to where the cord enters the plug."

Update: Buster Blocker writes: "We have had several units that needed replacement. We are also seeing the same thing with the Pro optical Mouse."

Update: Andy Baird adds: "The cause is that there is no stress relief/flex relief built in to these skinny cords, unlike almost any other electronic cable. Thus the cable bends at a very sharp right angle immediately upon exiting the plug, eventually leading to failure of the wire strands." Ron Dylewski concurs.

Update: John Senger writes: "I had a similar problem with the power cord for my PowerBook G3. Two months ago it developed a short about 1/2" from where the cord plugs in to the 'yo-yo' adapter. I returned it to a local Apple dealer, and the new one has a different design. Instead of the cord being flat/horizontal where it comes out of the adapter, it's now vertical for several inches before twisting and laying flat. I guess they figured out that the bending or twisting that occurs where the at the yo-yo was causing the problems with the old design."

Word 2001, and ATM 4.6.2 conflict? A reader found that after upgrading to ATM 4.6.2, Word 2001 would no longer print envelopes on an Epson Color Stylus 900. Reverting to Word 98 worked-around the problem. We have not confirmed if this problem is repeatable under other circumstances.

MYOB AccountEdge revision 4.72 update font glitch Glenn Kowalski writes: "MYOB just released MYOB AccountEdge revision 4.72, which includes payroll updates for July. Unfortunately after updating, I can no longer print fonts that I've chosen for invoices. I have recreated the problem on 2 printers and 3 different Macs running Mac OS 9.1."