Odds and Ends: Canon EOS firmware update; radioSHARK sleep issue: Apple repair times

Canon EOS firmware update Reader John Griffin reports that Canon has released version 1.0.5 of the firmware for the Canon EOS 20D digital camera. Version 1.0.4, released a few days ago, had a serious bug where updating the camera with a lens attached could result in an inability to turn the camera on or the camera not being able to communicate with the lens and flash. According to Canon, the newer update fixes this bug and is recommended even for users who haven't had any problems with version 1.0.4.

radioSHARK sleep issue A reader reports an issue, confirmed by Griffin Technology, where Griffin's new radioSHARK -- a TiVo-like recording device for radio -- prevents his Mac from sleeping automatically. (The Mac can be put to sleep manually, but it won't sleep on schedule as dictated by Energy Saver preferences.) According to the reader, Griffin told him that the cause of this issue is the "radioSHARKServer" application, which, after launching the main radioSHARK application, runs invisibly in the background to allow for scheduled recordings. The workaround for this issue -- assuming you don't have any pending scheduled recordings -- is to use Activity Monitor to quit the radioSHARKServer application, after which your Mac will sleep normally. However, it will relaunch each time you launch the main radioSHARK software. A more permanent solution, via an update to the radioSHARK software, is in the works, according to the reader (who is otherwise "very happy with the product"). [A member of the MacFixIt staff has also been quite pleased with the radioSHARK. -Ed]

Apple repair times Think Secret has reported that Apple recently informed Authorized Service Providers that the company is experiencing a "backlog of PowerBook and iBook repairs due to a 'temporary supply issue.'" According to Think Secret, Apple is asking that for the next 6-8 weeks, US and European Service Providers repair laptops in-house, assuming they have a qualified technician on staff.

That being said, we've received reports from readers that Apple's turnaround time is much shorter than expected. Brett Decarion writes:

"The Apple Rep...set up a case number and gave me the dispatch number for the repair [for the white spot symptom for a 15-inch G4 PowerBook]. He then explained that it would take about 15 business days to turn around the repair and send the PowerBook back to us. On Tuesday, October 5th the empty box arrived and I packaged up the unit and sent it on its way. Today, Thursday, October 7th, the PowerBook was returned...the monitor did not exhibit any white spots at all. The repair slip indicated that the display had been replaced."

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