buffington@radar.UUCP (Jon Buffington) (12/30/88)
================== The GroanGram '88 =================== Want to Zap your Mac II parameter ram and corrupt your system file at the same time? AppLE, Inc. has included a snazzy undocumented feature in System 6.0.2 that allows one to easily corrupt his/her system file. Here are the four easy steps to hours of frustration: 1. Open the control panel and choose the monitor CDEV. Then select 256 from the levels and click on the color radio button. 2. Close the control panel. 3. (Now comes the fun part) Hold down the shift-option -command keys while opening the control panel. You will be confronted by a dialogue asking you if you want to ZAP your pram. Choose yes. (Hah!) 4. Close the control panel and restart your Mac II. What is first evident upon startup is that your startup screen/alert is drawn and then erased before init icons are proudly displayed. Big deal, right? Oh, something foul is brewing in the little box on your desk though. An application of mine which formerly worked fine, no longer functioned. The SlotVInstall function, that I used to synch the display, was returning an error code of -360 (Slot Number Error, in AppLE-ease). I eventually replaced my system file and, presto, everything works until you repeat steps 1-4 above. On the serious side: I have duplicated this *feature* on several Mac II configurations. At one time I had removed all inits but the problem still persisted. The fix involves replacing the system file (completely as far a I can tell). ===================Arrrrrghhhhh======================= PS: This is _not_ a complaint against AppLE, Inc. I think they make neat stuff. (wish it wasn't so expensive though...) Just a note to fellow II'ers. _____________________________________________________ Jon Buffington (tired, but still trying) BITNET:buffinjc@vuctrvax UUCP: buffington@radar.UUCP To expand upon the idea--"If you were to give me one [a NeXT], I wouldn't be opposed to the idea"--I'd like a Mac IIx with lots-o-RAM! ;-)