As with the control panels section, below and in the next two chapters are descriptions of nearly every Apple Extension ever released. If you're curious what the different extensions do, here's your source. If you're interested in whether or not you need various INITs, use the descriptions below to decide whether or not you want/need them. Most are from Apple; however a few are things that are so universal that I included them here (for some non-Apple extensions, check out the "Third-Party Extensions" chapter).
窶｢ !TYC: patches an incompatibility with early PowerMac AV models and the Apple 21-inch monitor
窶｢ !PowerAV Update: an update to !TYC
窶｢ 040 VM Update: only for 68040 Macs, specifically the LC 57x and LC 63x series; fixes a problem with virtual memory and the 040 processor cache when copying. No longer necessary under 7.5.3.
窶｢ 3-Hole Punch: not really an extension. Part of the QuickDraw GX package, this file enables the "3-Hole Punch" paper type option in the "Page Setup..." window of compatible applications.
窶｢ 54xx/64xx L2 Cache Reset: the 54xx/64xx Update extension (below) fixes some problems, but also introduces a problem where the computer's Level 2 Cache is disabled. This causes the computer to run much slower. This extension fixes that problem. It is intended for the same models as the 54xx/64xx Update: PowerMac and Performa 5400 and 6400-series computers, and the Performa 6360.
窶｢ 54xx/64xx Update (v1.1): ensures that Avid Cinema runs smoothly on 5400, 6400, and 6360 systems. This extension is installed by Avid Cinema 1.1, and also by the Avid Cinema 1.1 updater. NOTE: see the entry for "54xx/64xx L2 Cache Reset" above.
窶｢ 5500/6500 ATA Update (v1.0): needed by PowerMac 5500/225, 6500/225 and 6500/250 computers running System 7.6.1. Improves performance when Virtual Memory is turned on. Available from the "5500/6500 Extras" package.
窶｢ 5500/6500 L2 Cache Disable (v1.0): fixes a problem on the Power Macintosh 5500/225, 6500/225 and 6500/250 under System 7.5.5 where a conflict with the Level 2 cache would not allow System software and applications to be installed. This problem is characterized by freezes, Type 10 errors, or the error message "Unable to decompress file 'xxx' because of a data mismatch error." This extension temporarily disables the Level 2 cache.
窶｢ 5500/6500 Video Input Update (v1.0.3): enhances system stability when using video capture applications on PowerMac 5500 and 6500 computers and the Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh. Only intended for System 7.5.5, System 7.6.1 and OS 8.
窶｢ 5xxx/6xxx Floppy Fix (v1.0): fixes two bugs under Mac OS 7.6, 7.6.1, and 8 where floppy disks would mount very slowly (up to 45 seconds!) and where copying files larger than 700K to a floppy would cause an error such as "The file 'xxx' could not be written because a disk error occurred." Only needed on PowerMac and Performa 52xx, 53xx, 62xx and 63xx computers. NOTE: If you are running OS 7.6, Apple recommends you update your System software to 7.6.1 before using this fix. NOTE: Some people report that this fix works better if you delete the Finder Preferences file after installing it. NOTE: Floppy disks which were previously mounted (and took a long time to mount) may still mount slowly, even with this extension installed, until you rebuild the desktop on the floppy.
窶｢ 630 SCSI Update: on LC/Performa/Quadra 630-series computers, fixes a problem with large block SCSI transfers (such as those that occur when using a backup DAT tape drive) where the system may hang. Supposedly fixed in the latest system update.
窶｢ 6360/64xx/54xx Update: fixes a problem with external SCSI devices and adds support for additional Ethernet network protocols. For use only on Performa 5400, 6400, and 6360-series and Power Macintosh 5400 and 6400-series computers.
窶｢ 7.5.2 Printing Fix 1.1 [.5/.5]: This is the latest version of the extension Apple previously released to help with printing problems on the Power Mac 7200, 7500, 8500, and 9500 under System 7.5.2. In addition to previous fixes for using busy network printers, version 1.1 corrected a similar problem using LocalTalk to print to a network printer. Please note that this extension requires Open Transport 1.0.7 or later, and the extension isn't of use on earlier Macs. Incorporated into the System or System Update 7.5.2 under System 7.5.3
窶｢ 7.5.5 SCSI Server Update (v1.0): fixes a bug with AppleShare 4.2.x and System 7.5.5 where a client computer performing a "Find File" search on the server could cause the server to freeze. It is only intended for PowerPC Apple Workgroup Servers running System 7.5.5, Open Transport 1.1.1 and AppleShare 4.2.x. Apple recommends installing the PowerPC Interrupt Extension on these systems, as well. NOTE: Apple also recommends that those who need this file carefully read and follow the accompanying instructions, as it seems the order in which they are performed is important.
窶｢ 7.6.1 Streaming Audio Update (v1.0b): this extension has not been fully qualified, and it is considered "unsupported" by Apple. Alleviates one cause of poor performance when using internet streaming media applications on PowerMac and Performa 52xx/53xx/62xx/63xx computers. Only intended for System versions 7.6.1, 7.6, or 7.5.5; it will not load on earlier system releases, and the fixes will be incorporated into OS8.
窶｢ 720K Floppy Disk Formatter: part of System 7.1 Update 3.0. Requires the File System Manager. According to an old Apple document, this was used "to allow you to format low-density floppy disks as 720K MFM disks." Also, Apple was supposedly going to release a non-GCR floppy drive in a low-cost model, and this extension would allow you to create 720K HFS disks.
窶｢ 7200 Graphics Acceleration (v1.0.1): supposedly, the 7200, unlike the 7500 and 8500, has a graphics accelerator chip on the motherboard. Without this file, the graphics are run solely by the CPU, while with it certain QuickDraw operations are taken over by the accelerator chip. Thus, not having this extension installed could slow down certain graphics functions. Power Computing's PowerCenter and PowerTower computers use the 7200's chip set, so they also benefit from having this extension installed. According to MacWEEK, this file can boost display speed by up to 20% on computers with the 7200 chip set. The benefits from this extension are much more noticeable if you add an extra MB of VRAM to your 7200. With the stock 1MB of VRAM, the video bus is only 32 bits wide. However, after adding the extra 1MB (so that you now have 2MB), the video data path is 64 bits. This increases the graphics speed of the 7200, even without this extension installed. However, it seems that the 7200 Graphics Acceleration extension really takes advantage of this wider bus, and the difference when it is installed is very noticeable. There is a web site that I have found which gives further information on this extension:
窶｢ 7200 Graphics Driver: the 7200 Graphics Driver does NOT replace the 7200 Graphics Acceleration extension (above). The two pieces of software are independent of each other, and you should always keep the 7200 Graphics Acceleration extension installed. The 7200 Graphics Driver is used for motherboard video on PowerMac 7200 based systems, which also includes Power Computing (and other clone) systems based on the 7200's motherboard design. The video driver which is built into System 7.5.5 and earlier would sometimes abnormally affect the hardware that updated the "Color Look-Up Table" (CLUT) during active video; "snow" would occur during certain palette animation or when the cursor changed rapidly (or when using custom cursors, such as the one used in the popular FTP application "Fetch"). This "updated" driver supposedly fixes that. However, it does have a side effect in that applications that fade the screen to black may now jump to black immediately. The code for this driver is incorporated into the System file in System 7.6 and later. NOTE: after installing this extension, you may be given more resolution options in the "Monitors & Sound" control panel or on the "Monitor Resolution" control strip module. Some of these are not "supported" and should be used at your own risk. NOTE: if you use this driver and have video problems, restart and hold down "command-shift-N-D" until the "progress" bar is about 1/2 of the way across. Remove the extension and then restart again.
窶｢ 7500/8500 Graphics Driver (v1.3.f0): an obscure Apple "unsupported" video driver. From the "ReadMe" file: "used for the motherboard video on PowerMac 7500/8500 based systems... On average, the standard driver would spend 7 ms inside a spin loop each time the color palette was changed. The new driver saves the changes to a global variable and updates the hardware to avoid this delay... Furthermore, 7500/8500 based machines would clear one interrupt too many when updating the CLUT... Hence the mouse would be jerky. Marathon players who use the mouse will notice a dramatic improvement when items are picked up or opponents destroyed (Marathon calls SetEntries/DirectSetEntries to make the screen flash). Side Effect: Apps that fade the screen to black may now jump to black immediately." Supposedly the 7500/8500 Graphics Driver will be included in the next System Update AFTER 7.5.5. If you problems with this driver, reboot and hold down "command shift N D" until the progress bar is about 1/2 done. Then remove the driver and reboot. You cannot use this version of the driver if you use a version of MacsBug earlier than 6.5.4.
窶｢ 950 Color Addition: addresses an obscure video bug in the Quadra 950 on pre-7.1 systems. The fix was incorporated into System 7.1.
窶｢ 9600 Graphics Accelerator (v3.8.1): a driver for the IMS video card which comes with the PowerMac 9600. Many 7300, 7600 and 8600 systems also come with this extension installed. It is not necessary on these systems, and the red "X" through the extension's icon that users of these systems see at startup means that the driver was not loaded. Supposedly, System 7.6 and above will not mistakenly install this extension on non-9600 systems, although a "for any Macintosh" install will always install it.
窶｢ A/ROSE (v1.2.1): "Apple Real-Time Operating System Environment" -- only necessary for certain older Nubus cards which use the MCP (Macintosh Coprocessor Platform) platform and run the Apple Real-Time Operating System (i.e. Apple's short Ethernet card, Token Ring 4.16 NB card, Serial NB card, and Coax/TwinAx NB card).
窶｢ ADBReInit (v1.0): an Apple "unsupported" extension. From the Apple Technote: "The ADBReInit extension prevents memory from being moved at interrupt time, which could cause the PowerBook 140 and 170 models, as well as the Macintosh Quadra 700, 900, 950 models, to hang or crash if "ADBReInit" is called. Informal testing indicates that this is more likely to happen while AppleShare is active (file sharing is turned on). ADBReInit normally is never called on a Macintosh Quadra because connecting ADB devices while the CPU power is on is discouraged. There is a specific instant that the PowerBook uses the call: When coming out of Sleep mode, ADBReInit is called to determine whether or not external ADB devices are attached." This extension is installed by System 7.0.x; it is also provided by Kensington with their TurboMouse and Thinking Mouse for backwards compatibility. It has been incorporated into the System itself since System 7.1, and is no longer necessary.
窶｢ ADSP: AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol. Provided networking protocol under pre-7.0 systems. More specifically, it provided data flow and full duplex data delivery over a network. However, in order for the benefits to be realized, both Macs had to be running this extension.
窶｢ AMMS MPEG Decoder: hardware driver for the Apple MPEG Media System Card.
窶｢ Apple Built-In Ethernet (v1.0.5): supposedly provides support for the built-in Ethernet port on Nubus-based Macs. However, there is some confusion between this file and the "Ethernet (Built-In)" file (see the appropriate entry). Supposedly needs "EtherTalk Phase II" to function properly.
窶｢ Apple CD-ROM (v5.3.3) [61.5/72]: necessary to use your Mac's CD-ROM drive. Version 5.3.2 and later now mount both the HFS and ISO partitions of dual discs and CD Extra discs. Version 5.3.1 corrected a problem with scanning tracks. Version 5.3 added support for all current Apple drives, but also eliminated support for many non-Apple drives. Version 5.2 added support for ATAPI drives, and corrected a problem where the CD-ROM drive would go to "sleep" while playing a CD and a bug where system errors could occur if a shared CD-ROM was accessed over a network. Version 5.1.7 added support for 6X drives. Version 5.1.6 added support for Apple PC Compatibility Cards for PCI Macs. 5.1.5 fixed a problem with multi-session PhotoCD disks and the Peter and the Wolf CD. Use the newest version necessary for you. NOTE: version 5.1.2, which is installed by some of the System 7.5.3 installers, does not support the 8x CD-ROM drives in newer PCI PowerMacs. You should upgrade to a newer version of the CD-ROM software, or to a newer version of the System software.
窶｢ Apple Color SW Pro CMM (v1.0.1): provides alternate color tables for the discontinued Color StyleWriter Pro.
窶｢ Apple Ethernet LC, Apple Ethernet NB, Apple Ethernet CS (all v1.0.3) & Apple Ethernet CS II (v1.1): these Ethernet drivers are necessary only if you have an LC, NuBus, or "Com Slot" Mac using the corresponding Ethernet expansion card.
窶｢ Apple Event Manager: allows applications (including the Finder) to send commands to other applications (again, including the Finder). For example, in InformINIT, when you click on the little "IE" AND "NN" buttons, InformINIT sends an Apple Event to Netscape telling it to go to the URL listed. This file is incorporated into the AppleScript extension with System 7.5 and above.
窶｢ Apple Multimedia Tuner: enhances QuickTime 2.0 and Sound Manager 3.0. Once you upgrade to QuickTime 2.1 and Sound Manager 3.1, or System 7.5.3/Update 2.0, this is no longer necessary.
窶｢ Apple PCI Token Ring (v1.0): provides support for Token Ring networking when using a PCI Token Ring card.
窶｢ Apple Shared Library Manager: see "Shared Library Manager."
窶｢ Apple Token Ring NB (v1.0.2): provides support for Token Ring networking when using a NuBus Token Ring card.
窶｢ AppleScript (v1.1) [39.5/320]: Allows for "scripting" of system and compatible application functions. Many scripts are provided with your Mac, or you can program your own scripts if you have the patience to learn the language. If the Finder Scripting Extension is installed, you can even "script" the Finder. The Apple Events Manager is built into recent versions of this; you can see this when AppleScript loads: first the Apple Events Manager icon appears, then the AppleScript icon overwrites it. NOTE: there is a bug in version 1.1 of AppleScript where using the AppleScript "Script Editor" on a machine with more than 512 MB of real or virtual memory results in the error "result of the numeric operations was too large." This occurs under Systems 7.5.5, 7.5, and 7.6.1. It will be fixed in Mac OS 8.
窶｢ AppleShare (v3.6.4) [30.5/37]: if you're not on a network, you don't need it. If you are on a network, you only need it if you want to access other computers, as it is used to provide access to networked volumes. Version 3.6.1RevB, the version installed by the latest full system software installers, is incompatible with Connectix SpeedDoubler 1.1 and earlier, and could possibly be incompatible with other "copy accelerators" such as Copy Doubler. Specifically, the bug affects file transfers over an Ethernet connection. Connectix has updated SpeedDoubler to 1.3 (get the update at <http://www.connectix.com/>) and has also released a patch that can be used with earlier versions of SpeedDoubler and other third-party copy utilities. Download the patch from <http://www.connectix.com/AppleShare>. However, the Connectix patch is no longer needed under System 7.5.3 Revision 2 and SpeedDoubler 1.1.2 or later. [To get version 3.6.2 of AppleShare, you must install the latest AppleShare Workstation software, available on Apple's FTP servers. Note that this installer incorrectly sets the bundle bit for AppleShare 3.6.2 to "off." While this is not a major problem, if you run Norton Disk Doctor, you will be alerted to it and should choose to fix it.] NOTE: a few people have claimed that even with System 7.5.5 and Speed Doubler 1.3.1, the above patch alleviates a problem when copying to a mounted UNIX server where the server thinks that you don't have write permission.
窶｢ ASFU Fixer [0/0]: A third party INIT from GDT Technologies which disabled the DMA serial driver originally found on PowerMac and Quadra AV machines, reverting to the unused non-DMA serial driver in the ROMs of those machines. Apparently, the newer DMA driver was incompatible with GDT's PowerPrint and the StyleWriter printer. Also needed by a few other products because they were incompatible with the DMA serial driver and GeoPort architecture. However, applications which used the standard GeoPort architecture of these machines could encounter problems of their own when using the "patched" driver. The SerialDMA extension (now a part of System 7.5.3) eliminated the need for this extension.
窶｢ Assistant Toolbox (v1.3.1): a set of routines for the PowerBook File Assistant which allow file synchronization, better battery management, and easier mobile computing. It provides support for a persistent RAM disk (normally, you would lose your RAM disk when the computer is shut down) and deferred printing when a printer is not available (if you are using the LaserWriter driver). It provides better cursor visibility on passive-matrix displays. It allows AppleTalk to be activated without restarting the computer. It also works with PCI Macs to enable deferred printing when a printer is not available (again, only if you are using the LaserWriter driver). This extension may conflict with the LaserWriter Select 310 printer software to block printing. A solution is to turn off background printing in the Chooser. Under System 7.5.x, versions of Assistant Toolbox earlier than 1.3 are not compatible with Open Transport, and will automatically turn off AppleTalk every time you restart. A newer version of Assistant Toolbox has been rolled into the System itself under System 7.6, and thus this extension is no longer needed under 7.6.
窶｢ At Ease 7.5 Layer Patch: fixes a crash when using At Ease, and the 窶彜how Desktop窶 box is unchecked in the General Controls control panel.
窶｢ At Ease Startup: forces your Mac to start up in the At Ease launcher instead of the standard Mac Finder (see "At Ease" in the "Control Panels" chapter).
窶｢ AudioTuneUp (1.3): needed by PowerMac 5500/225, 6500/225 and 6500/250 computers running System 7.6.1. Fixes a problem where if external speakers were connected during startup and later disconnected, the computer's internal speakers would remain muted. On PowerMac 5500 machines, also automatically disables the built-in speaker when external speakers or headphones are connected to the Sound output port.
窶｢ Audio Volume Extension PM: on 5200, 5300, 6200, and 6300 series Macs, this file replaces/fixes problems with the Internal Modem Sound extension (actually, a newer version of the IMS extension is incorporated into the Audio Volume extension). Allows modem sounds to be played through the Mac's own speakers (or external speakers). Also loads a new sound driver which fixes a bug with poor sound quality on sounds played from the hard drive or CD-ROM's.
窶｢ AV Serial: I have seen two sources of information on this. One said that this is only needed on AV-card equipped Macs, which does not include the AV PCI Macs or the Centris/Quadra 660AV/840AV. The other said that it is only needed on the Centris/Quadra 660AV/840AV. Regardless, it is supposed to have fixed (a) difficulties when printing with the LaserWriter Select 310 printer; (b) a possible system error when both the serial port and an AppleTalk network connection are being used heavily; and (c) a possible system crash when simultaneously receiving a fax and transferring files over a network.
窶｢ AV/PPC Serial Extension: installed by the Global Village modem software on older AV and PowerPC systems. Used on pre-7.1.3 systems to enhance the serial port to allow the higher connect speeds which the Teleports were capable of supporting.
窶｢ Basic Color Monitor: on Quadra models 700, 800, 900, and 950, as well as on Centris and Quadra models 610 and 650, some users have had problems with overly-green monitor displays. This extension fixes the bug on all Apple, and SOME non-Apple, monitors. However, on some non-Apple monitors, this extension would cause the screen to go blank. This problem cannot be resolved by simply removing the extension, since the settings are saved to the PRAM of the machine (and since you can't see anything ;-) ). The solution is to restart, zap the PRAM a couple times, and immediately start with extensions off. Then remove the extension.
窶｢ CapsLock (7.1.5): Mainly useful for PowerBooks which do not have an indicator light on the caps lock key; puts an icon in the menu bar when the Caps Lock key is engaged (some PowerBooks and the Duo series all have a light on the caps lock key to let you know it is engaged; the 100-series and newer PowerBooks don't).
窶｢ CDRemoteINIT: under system 7.1P3, this extension was necessary to use the CD Remote DA.
窶｢ CFM Update: Installed by older versions of QuickDraw 3D. CFM stands for Code Fragment Manager. With native-code applications, CFM loads parts of the program as it needs them, one of the vaunted features of PowerMacs. This is some sort of an "update" to the CFM built into the system. Some users have reported less crashing and less hard disk grinding under low-memory situations. Incorporated into the System software under System 7.5.3
窶｢ CFM-68K Runtime Enabler (v4.0) [72/544]: the file name actually begins with a space to allow it to load first in the startup sequence. Enables the "runtime architecture" for 680x0 implementation of "Code Fragment Manager" support for shared libraries, which was formerly only available for PowerPC computers. Installed by LaserWriter 8.4.x, Desktop Printer 2.0.x, OpenDoc, Cyberdog, the Apple Media Tool, and some versions of AOL 3.0, in addition to some third-party applications. The code fragment manager allows applications to share code through "shared libraries." This extension makes it easier for developers of applications to design their programs to run on both 680x0 and PowerPC computers without having to write separate programs for both processor families. This file is not needed on PowerMacs. On 680x0 Macs, it requires System 7.1 or later and 32-bit addressing to be turned on in the Memory control panel. It does not run on 68000 Macs. Note that there is a major bug in early versions of the CFM-68K Runtime Enabler. Some applications which rely on this file will not function properly, which according to Apple can result in crashing and loss of data. Apple recommends disabling these early versions (prior to v4.0). NOTE: Version 4.0 of the CFM-68K package was designed to fix these problems, but there is a bug in the latest version (1.2) of ObjectSupportLib (a component of CFM-68K 4.0) as it relates to CFM-68K. The bug causes system crashes to occur if CFM applications are quit in a different order than they were launched. Again, this whole mess only affects 68K Macs, and all bugs will supposedly be fixed in Mac OS 8.
窶｢ Clipping Extension (v7.1.4) (a.k.a. Finder Clipping Extension) [NA]: allows you to create text "clippings" when you drag selections from Drag & Drop-savvy applications to the desktop. These clippings can be viewed by themselves, or dragged into documents. If this is disabled, drag-and-drop editing within and between applications will still work. Will not load on computers using pre-System 7 Pro system software. Requires the Drag Manager, which is built into the Macintosh Drag and Drop extension under System 7.1.x and built into the system software under System 7.5 and later.
窶｢ Color Classic Update: fixes a bug that prevented Apple IIe cards from working under System 7.5. Adds the correct video mode for the Apple IIe-type display to the video driver.
窶｢ ColorPicker (v2.0.1) [1/320]: presents a standard interface for color selection, so that any application can ask the user to choose a color using the standard "choose color" dialog. Also provides additional color schemes (i.e. changing from Red/Green/Blue to Hue/Saturation/Lightness) in "choose color" dialogues (i.e. in the "Label" and "Color" control panels when you try to customize the color choices; enacted with the "more choices" button).
窶｢ Color SW 2000 Series CMM (v1.0): allows you to use ColorSync with the Color StyleWriter 2400. NOTE: If you have a 68000 Mac, this extension will not allow it to start up. You should start up with extensions off, remove this file, then restart.
窶｢ Color Sync (v2.1.2) [40/384]: enables the ColorSync system (see the "Color Sync System Profile" entry in the "Control Panels" chapter).
