[comp.sys.mac.announce] BAKA Technote- System 7

mha%baka.UUCP@theory.TN.CORNELL.EDU (Mark Anbinder) (05/14/91)

                      BAKA Technote: System 7                       5/13/91

13 May 1991

Here are a few hints and tips on the subject of upgrading to System 7.  This is
by no means an exhaustive list of the issues involved, but it should provide
some useful information for you.

* You really should use the Compatibility Checker on the Before You Install
System 7 diskette before proceeding with your installation.  Do so while your
current startup drive is active, so it can analyze the contents of your current
System Folder.  LISTEN to what the Compatibility Checker tells you.  If the
report it generates says that one of your programs is NOT compatible with
System 7, and you MUST have that program working in order to function, DO NOT
UPGRADE YOUR SYSTEM to System 7.  Contact the developer of the program to get
an upgrade to a compatible version of their software.  (The Compatibility
Checker includes contact phone numbers for a large number of vendors.)

* Apple recommends installing System 7 onto your System 6 hard drive without
removing the old System Folder.  You can now do an installation while running
from the target hard drive.  You can, but you don't have to, start up from the
Install 1 diskette before doing the installation.

* DO remove any PRE-RELEASE copies of System 7 before installing the release
version.  If you have installed an alpha or beta of System 7, remove that
System Folder before beginning the installation process.

* REMOVE any anti-virus INITs from the active System Folder, and restart, before
doing an installation.  If you have an anti-virus INIT active during
installation, it can create problems that may OR MAY NOT show up immediately. 
Be sure to replace the anti-virus INITs when you are done, making sure that you
have the current versions.

* If you have an existing Scrapbook file in your System Folder when you do an
installation, the Installer will not replace it with the new file.  There are
some neat things in the new Scrapbook file, so you will want to combine the two
using a utility such as SmartScrap, if you need to keep the contents of the old
one.

* The color map picture in the System 7 Scrapbook is not just a neat picture. 
If you Copy it into your Clipboard, and then open the Map control panel and
Paste, the color map will replace the old black and white map in the control
panel.

* You can force the current foreground process (whether it's an application or
desk accessory or whatever) to quit by holding down the Command and Option
keys, and pressing the Escape key.  This can be useful if your computer freezes
and you can't seem to recover without restarting.  Try a Forced Quit first. 
After doing this, IMMEDIATELY save all open documents and restart the computer;
the system may not be in a stable state.

* Several pieces of Apple software need to be upgraded in order to work with
System 7.  These include the Apple CD-SC software, which drives the CD-ROM
drive, and the Apple Scanner software.  Updates are available from dealers. 
You may also need to use the new Apple HD SC Setup utility to update your hard
disk's driver software.

* Technical support for System 7 is available from your usual support
providers.  For those who don't have expert dealers, user groups, or
consultants nearby, or who prefer a different approach, Apple is providing
technical support for System 7.  Customers who purchase the official Personal
Upgrade Kit or Group Upgrade Kit receive 90 or 180 days, respectively, of free
support within the US via a special toll-free 800 number.  After that period,
or for people who choose to copy the System disks at their local dealer or user
group without paying for the full upgrade kit, there is a 900 number that you
can call from within the US.  You will be billed $2 per minute by your
telephone company.  The number is 900-535-APPL.  In addition, Apple has set up
an answering system that will play pre-recorded answers to commonly asked
questions about System 7.  You can call this at 408-257-7700, and need only pay
for the telephone call (it is a long distance call outside the immediate
vicinity of Cupertino, California).

--

This Technote is a public service of BAKA Computers.  The information is not
guaranteed to be correct, and is not guaranteed to apply to you.  Please
contact vendors for information about their individual products.

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Mark H. Anbinder
BAKA Computers, Inc.

mha@baka.uucp
607-257-2070