• Microcomputer Services Support Statement Concerning the Performa 6400/6360
  • Recommendation to Users Considering Purchasing Performa 6400/6360's
• Affected Models (6400/200, 6400/200 Video Editing Edition, 6400/180, 6360)
• Other Models Which Might Be Affected (Power Macintosh 6500 Series with Home Software Bundle)
• Issues as Identified by Microcomputer Services
• Some Recommended Courses of Action
  • Use System 7.6 Instead (referred to as "MacOS 7.6" in the rest of this document)
    • What You Will Need
  • Use ARA 2.x with Performa System 7.5.3 Rev. 2.2 or MacOS 7.6
• Conclusion

As you read through this document, you may recognize the complexity of some of the issues surrounding the Macintosh Performa line. Microcomputer Services has worked on numerous Performa 6400 and 6360's. Each machine required between 2 and 6 hours of an individual staff member's time. Unfortunately our resources are such that we cannot put this much effort into a single model of computer. This document will give you some methods for dealing with some of the issues we have seen with the Performa 6400/6360. If you read this document and feel comfortable performing these procedures, then you will see that it is possible to make the 6400/6360 work for you. If you feel these procedures are beyond your level of technical expertise, or you do not want to attempt them, then we recommend that you either hire someone to work on your machine or that you return your machine and purchase a different model of Macintosh. Microcomputer Services will not accept Performa 6500, 6400/200, 6400/200 Video Editing Edition, 6400/180, 6360 or any upcoming Performa models with the same software configurations for machine check-ins.

If you own one of the above-mentioned Performa models, we will fully support you with questions you may have about specific issues on your machine or the use of UO distributed software packages. Basically we'll give you the same support as any other UO facutly, staff, or student member minus the option of actually checking in your machine with us. So, read on and see if this document is helpful!

After considerable attempts at helping multiple users configure the Performa 6400/180 and 6400/200 Microcomputer Services does not recommend the purchase of these units or the Performa 6360 or 6400/200 Video Editing Edition for UO students, faculty, and staff. If you read this document in it's entirety you may recognize the complexity involved with using one of these machines. Since the hardware configurations of these machines is, for the most part, pretty good we would recommend these machines to expert Macintosh users who are prepared to do one of the following:

1. Format the machine's hard drive and install MacOS 7.6. This means that you lose the bundled software which comes with the machine.
2. Upgrade to MacOS 7.6 and "tweak" the OS to make it usable in our networked environment. This may require reading this entire Web page. A big caveat with this procedre is that you cannot re-install the pre-installed software packages in the future if you experience problems since the Performa software installers overwrite any current configuration you may have. A side note to this from Apple - The individual components for each package and the OS are on the CD-ROM and can be installed manually if you know where to drag and place each piece by hand (this is not easy to do).

As of 4/18/97 Microcomputer Services has seen the Performa 6400/180, 6400/200, and the 6360 models. We have not seen the Performa 6400/200 Video Editing Edition. Owners of all these models should be able to follow the steps outlined in this document.

In addition to the models mentioned above it appears that Apple is releasing a series of Power Macintosh models with "Performa" configurations. If you go to http://performa.apple.com you will see that certain models of Power Macintosh computers come with a Performa software bundle called the, "Home Software Bundle." This software bundle and physical configuration of the machines appear to be exactly the same as the models mentioned above. For these reasons Microcomputer Services suspects that the same issues may occur with the following Power Macintosh models when sold with the Performa Home Software Bundle:

• Power Macintosh 6500/300
• Power Macintosh 6500/250, and the
• Power Macintosh 6500/225

Microcomputer Services has seen a number of customers with Performa 6400 machines during the past few weeks. Most of these customers have returned their machines to us thinking that they were broken out of the box or unable to install UO remote access software to connect to the UOnet (or more generically, the Internet). In all cases the issue has been with the way the Performa 6400 is configured at the factory and the manner in which the Performa System Software installer works. On top of configuration issues these problems have been exacerbated by the Geoport/Express Internal modem which ships with this Performa unit. The bottom line is that this modem does not support CTS/DTR hardware flow control. Both InterPPP and MacPPP (AKA FreePPP or Config PPP) will either fail or work unreliably without CTS flow control. We understand that since the modem is internal CTS/DTR flow control pins are not necessary, but it appears to be the case that InterPPP and MacPPP expect to see at least the CTS pin being simulated. We cannot verify this, but our testing points to this as likely. According to Apple you will also encounter problems using these programs unless you first switch the networking on the Performa to Open Transport (using the Network Switcher in the Apple Extras folder) from the Classic networking which is installed by default.

As shipped the Performa has the following files or settings which must be dealt with in order to get UO remote access software to work:

• System and Application Folders are locked by default.
• Show Desktop when in background is turned off (can be confusing to previous Mac users.
• MacTCP Prep file by Apple in the Preferences folder in the System folder.
• Apple places Netscape preference file in Preferences folder of the System folder which sets the home page to a sign up page for Apple Internet services (myhome.apple.com/home/welcome). Most of the preset preferences are very nice, but this one is confusing.
• PPP Extension is tweaked to ask you to setup your ISP before dialing. This is not an issue since MacPPP will not work reliably on this machine as configured.

A few other issues in general which do not need to be dealt with, but should be recognized:

• As configured the machine ships with over 150 extensions.
• The machine ships with a contact database program and Megaphone active in the main menu bar in the Finder. Neither of these are incorrect, they just add complexity to the system.
• The user has two options for re-installing System software from their Performa CD-ROM. These options are 1) Install System Software, and 2) Install All Software. If the user installs System Software or All Software the installer will overwrite any previous configurations. Thus, if you tweak this machine to deal with some of the issues mentioned above, run into problems, and then re-install System software you must start over. Neither of these installers have any options for installing specific components. Finally, if you just re-install the System Softare (like you were beginning from scratch due to problems) this does not install any of the Geoport/Express modem software. The user will not be able to access this modem unless the specify Install All Software - This is not obvious.
• The internal modem uses the Modem port on the machine. The modem port is physically covered and not usable. If a user purchases an alternate, external modem, they must remove the internal modem card and uncover the modem port to gain access to this port. The Geoport/Express modem does not appear as "Internal Modem" in any dialogues. It appears simply as "Modem Port." This may not be obvious to Mac users who have used internal Apple modems previously.
• If you do re-install all software, which includes the Geoport/Express modem software, the Express Modem is not turned on by default. You must open the Express Modem Control Panel and turn it on. This may be the correct thing to do, but it is also something to be aware of.
• If you decide to do a clean install from System 7.5.3 Rev. 2.2 to System MacOS 7.6 you will lose, or it may become difficult to run the prepackaged software which comes with this machine. Some of this software is available on CD-ROM, but some of it is only available by choosing the Install All Software option on the Performa CD-ROM. If you do this you will blow away your MacOS 7.6 install and be back to square one.
• Finally, this machine runs a model-specific version of the MacOS called System 7.5.3 Revision 2.2. This System version uses Classic networking instead of Open Transport. Just be aware of this as you consider options and add/remove software. You can switch to Open Transport using the Network Switcher in the Apple Extras folder. This should, according to Apple, help when using MacPPP or products like InterPPP. Still, see our discussion below for our recommended courses of action.

Why do we recommend this? Basically, as configured, the Performa comes with so much software which causes unique interactions when trying to run remote access software that most users just get confused. Furthermore, the Performa System version is quite different from other System versions in terms of its configurations. Microcomputer Services (and we imagine other service organizations) has a hard time dealing with specifically configured models of equipment when there are so many models. Generally, if the user can run with an OS version which is well known and understood they have a much better chance of getting useful help. With that said, here is one method to setup a Performa 6400 in such as way that the user can get a reliable network connection and use their machine.

Please remember - If you upgrade to MacOS 7.6 there is no guarantee that the prepackaged software which comes with the Performa will continue to work. If you just upgrade 7.5.3 Rev. 2.2 to 7.6 the software may still work, but you should still see if you need to unprotect the System folder, Applications folder, turn on show Desktop When in Background, etc.

What You Will Need

• Access to MacOS 7.6, preferably on CD-ROM
• Copies of Apple Telecom 2.3.3 (2 high density diskettes)
• Copies of Apple Telecom 3.0 Update (2 high density diskettes)
• (Optional) Copy of MegaPhone Install Disk (1 high density diskette)

To get MacOS 7.6 you have the following four choices:

1. If your Mac is networked with an Ethernet card you can connect with the CC Public Domain AppleShare fileserver (see our link to instructions below), open the Macintosh System Folder and then the MacOS 7.6 folder, and run the MacOS 7.6 installer directly off the network. For most users this will not be an option.
2. You can purchase a copy of the MacOS 7.6 CD-ROM at the UO Bookstore. Pricing is between $15.00 and $20.00. You will need a current UO student, faculty, or staff ID to purchase this software. Please note, the standard cost for MacOS 7.6 is about $100.00, but the UO has a site license which allows us to order the media at reduced costs.
3. You can checkout a copy of MacOS 7.6 from the Computing Center Documents Room Library located in Room 205 of the Computing Center. The Documents Room Library is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You may wish to call ahead (346-4406) to verify whether they have copies of MacOS 7.6 available. You will need a current UO student, faculty, or staff ID to check out this software.
4. You can copy the installer from CC Public Domain to disk. After connecting to CC Public Domain open the Macintosh System Software folder, then the MacOS 7.6 folder. Microcomputer Services does not recommend this method since the base installer alone requires 23 high density diskettes. If you copy all the additional installer components you will need over 40 high density diskettes. Furthermore, the diskette installer for MacOS 7.6 is different from the CD-ROM installer. It is less user friendly and less robust.

If you need directions for connecting to CC Public Domain click here.

To find disk images on CC Public Domain for Apple Telecom 2.3.3, Apple Telecom 3.0 Update, and Megaphone software you would open the following folders on CC Public Domain:

Hardware Drivers
Modem Drivers/Flashers/Updates
Teleport/Geoport/Express

You will find the needed software inside the Teleport/Geoport/Express folder. Now you are ready to begin. Here are the basic steps to get MacOS 7.6 on a Performa and get OT PPP 1.0 up and running. Please note, if you want to use ARA 2.x instead read the following section which describes making this work under the default Performa System. You can follow these steps to get ARA 2.x to work under MacOS 7.6 on a Performa.

1. First install MacOS 7.6 on the machine. When you do this you can choose to do a Clean System Install if you choose Custom Install in the MacOS 7.6 installer. Be sure that you click on the check box to install OT PPP 1.0. If you are planning on using ARA 2.x on your machine you should be sure to check the box to install this software. NOTE: ARA version 2.x is not free to non-MacOS 7.6 users. You cannot legally use the MacOS 7.6 installer to place ARA version 2.x on a non-MacOS 7.6 machine (we have not tested this, so it might not even be possible). You must purchase ARA version 2.x if you use System 7.5.3 Rev. 2.2.
2. After installing MacOS 7.6 you will need to setup the Control Panels on your machine to be able to use OT PPP 1.0. The next steps assume that you have restarted your machine.
3. Open the TCP/IP Control Panel by going to the Apple menu and choosing Control Panels.
4. In this Control Panel you will need to specify a number of settings. We do not have an installer for OT PPP as this is a product from Apple with it's own installer. The first thing to do is to set the field which reads "Connect via" to: PPP
5. Set the field which reads "Configure" to: Using PPP Server
6. Now go to the Edit menu and choose "User Mode..."
7. Set the User Mode to "Advanced"
8. In the field which reads "Implicit Search Path" enter: uoregon.edu
9. In the field which reads "Name server addr:" you want to enter the following three sets of IP addresses:
   128.223.32.35
   128.223.60.22
   128.223.6.9
   
10. Close the TCP/IP Control Panel and say, "Yes" to saving the configuration.
11. Now it's time to install the Geoport/Express Modem software. Insert Apple Telecom Disk 1 from the Apple Telecom 2.3.3 disk set. Run the installer on this disk. You will need the second disk which is the Fax Software disk. Do not restart even if prompted to do so!
12. *BEFORE* restarting from the above, insert and install disk 1 of the Apple Telecom 3.0 Update disk set. Run this installer and *then* restart your Macintosh.
13. Now you will have a Control Panel called Apple Express Modem. Open this Control Panel and click on the radio button to turn the modem on. We also recommend turning off the Auto-answer feature of the modem by unchecking this box.
14. Now go to the Modem Control Panel. In the "Modem:" popup menu choose: GeoPort/Express Modem. Be sure that the "Connect via:" field says Modem Port. Close the Modem Control Panel.
15. At this point you are close. If you have not already installed network software on your machine you may wish to do so at this point. You can do this using the Fall '96 Duckware CD-ROM or by getting our Macintosh Network Software Installer disk set. Run this installer to install Telnet, Eudora, a Newsreader, Fetch, and Netscape on your machine.
16. The final step is to have OT PPP 1.0 dial your modem and connect you to one of the UO's modem pools. To do this start by going to the Control Panels and opening the PPP Control Panel.
17. Enter your modem account information (your uo-username) in the "Name:" field.
18. Enter your modem account password in the "Password" field.
19. Finally, enter in the correct phone number for the modem pool you wish to dial. The possible numbers are:
    346-6520 (192 33.6 modems)
    346-3565 (32 33.6 modems)
    346-1586(32 33.6 modems)
    346-5975 (64 14.4 modems)
    We recommend 346-6520 in most cases.
20. Note that you can click on the "Save Password" check box if you wish.

After you get connected you can go to the far right corner of your screen and click on the OT PPP icon. Choose "Hide OT PPP 1.0" if you want to get the OT PPP dialogue off your screen. Now you can run the Network Application of choice. Please see the individual UO ReadMe files installed with each application for directions on how to use these applications and how to set them up where necessary (such as with Eudora). Before disconnecting you should go back to the far right corner of your screen, click on the icon there and choose "Show All" to bring the OT PPP dialogue back to the forefront. You can now disconnect and close OT PPP. Remember, there is a 2 hour time limit on all the UO modem pools.

A final note: a number of users have said that the reliability of their connection using OT PPP 1.0 was not all that good. Some users appear to have better luck switching to ARA version 2 instead. You can install ARA version 2 from the System software installer for MacOS 7.6. If you decide to do this, then install ARA version 2 and follow the instructions below for adding in the UO ARA Component Installer to make ARA work with the University of Oregon network (UOnet).

Use ARA 2.x with Performa System 7.5.3 Rev. 2.2 or MacOS 7.6

These steps should work to get ARA version 2.x to work on your Performa. One issue that is unclear since we have not had the chance to test this is if any of the pre-installed Apple Internet Kit software will cause problems. To begin, you will need a copy of ARA version 2.x. For System version 7.5.3 Revision 2.2 you will need to purchase this software. An average price for ARA version 2 should be around $40.00. After you have purchased this software you should do the following before installing trying to install it.

• Open the General Controls Control Panel and uncheck the boxes which say, "Protect System Folder", and "Protect Application Folder." We also recommend checking the box which says, "Show Desktop when in background." Note, you only have to uncheck the "Protect System Folder" box, but we have found that configuring your machine as suggested above makes working on your Mac easier.

At this point, before continuing, you should have the following items or information:

• The ARA version 2 installation diskettes.
• The UO ARA2 Component Installer. This can be found on the CC Public Domain fileserver, or on the Duckware CD-ROM, by opening the following folders in order: Network Software, Dialin Support, ARA Support.
• The Geoport/Express Modem (UONet) ARA modem script. You can find this specific script by opening the following folders, in order, on CC Public Domain only (unfortunately this problem did not arise until after we had created the Duckware CD-ROM, thus this file is not on the CD): Network Software, Dialin Support, ARA Support, Additional Modem Scripts, Cisco and Shiva (UONet). The specific file you want is called, "Geoport/Express Modem (UONet). Please note: ARA will not function properly with the UO network unless you have this specific modem script which has been created by Microcomputer Services for the modem on your Performa. If you have purchased a different modem for your machine than the internal modem which comes with the Performa 6400, then you do not need this specific file.
• A modem account and password. This is separate from your darkwing, gladstone, or Oregon accounts. This account is in the form uo-username.

At this point you can go about installing ARA and the UO-specific software to connect with the University of Oregon UOnet network. Here are the steps to do this:

1. Now you should restart your Macintosh and hold down the Shift key as starting so that it starts with Extensions turned off (this is Apple's recommendation). After restarting you should install ARA version 2 by running the ARA installer on the first ARA disk. Once you have installed ARA version 2 you are ready to configure ARA to work with the University of Oregon Network.
2. Now you should run the UO ARA2 Component Installer.
3. After you finish running this installer you should copy the modem script which was mentioned above and is called, "Geoport/Express Modem (UONet)" to the following folder on your Performa's hard drive: System Folder, Extensions, Modem Scripts.
4. Now read the file which comes with the UO ARA2 Component Installer called "UO ARA2 Readme First" for detailed instructions on configuring ARA to work with your machine. Once you have followed these instructions you should be able to get your Mac to connect to the Internet from home and you should be able to use any Network Software you may have installed.

If you have a copy of the Duckware CD-ROM then all the UO-specific software mentioned above, except for the Geoport/Express Modem script, can be found on this CD-ROM. Furthermore, you can find the Network Applications Installer for the Mac on your Duckware CD-ROM, or on CC Public Domain by opening the following folders in order: Network Software, then Network Applications Installer. This installer requires 5 high denisty diskettes if you must copy it from CC Public Domain. You can always stop by the Microcomputer Services consulting desk located in Room 202 of the Computing Center between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday for help in finding these individual software components. If you need to copy software be sure to bring enough diskettes with you. The UO ARA2 Component Installer, Readme file, and Geoport/Express Modem script for ARA can all fit on a single high-density diskette. The Network Applications Installer requires 5 more high-density diskettes.

The information presented here is correct to the best of our knowledge. It is entirely possible that Apple will release new variations on the Performa model, or change the packaging of software with these models over time. If you find errors in our directions please let us know so that we can correct them. Furthermore, there are a number of issues not dealt with in this document. One major issue is whether you should switch from Classic Networking (MacTCP) to Open Transport under System 7.5.3 Revision 2.2. We have been told by Apple that this would probably be a good idea in most cases. You can do this by using the Network Software Selector in the Apple Extras folder on your Performa's hard drive. Note, if you upgrade to MacOS 7.6 you will have Open Transport installed and the Network Software Selector is no longer an option. We have, however, not had the chance to test the interaction of Open Transport, ARA version 2 and the software on the Performa 6400 models when trying to connect to the University of Oregon network. This software combination should work and instructions for using this configuration are included in the UO ARA2 Readme First file for the UO ARA2 Component Installer. If anyone has experience with this, or any of the above issues and would like to send us comments please feel free to do so. You can send them to microhelp@oregon.uoregon.edu.

Microcomputer Services does not wish to imply any general opinions about companies in general. We simply state facts as we see them regardless of the company involved (i.e., we are not Apple bashing!). Due to direct customer feedback and time spent with this particular machine we have decided that this document and statements were necessary.

Hervey Allen (hervey@oregon.uoregon.edu)

Last Update
Feb. 16, 1999

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