Technology

Although not supported by Apple's latest Book Camp software (v3.0+), it is entirely possible to run 64 bit Windows 7 on an original MacPro (MacPro1,1).  I'm running a MacPro1,1 with two 2.66GHz dual-core Intel Xeons, 8GBs of RAM, four 250GB SATA drives, a SuperDrive, and an SATA Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive.  In addition to running Snow Leopard, I want to run the 64 bit version of Windows 7 -- rather than the 32 bit version -- so that I can take advantage of all 8GBs of RAM.  Enabling access to the SATA Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive and the three additional, internal SATA hard drives is a challenge under any version of Windows on a MacPro.  There are a few tricks you need to know to make everything work, but you're going to run Windows on a Mac -- why should extra work be a surprise?

This post isn't intended to be a step-by-step tutorial.  Instead, I'm writing it to offer the necessary hints for a successful build.  Knowing that it is possible is more than half the battle.

First, the 64 bit Windows 7 installer DVD will not boot on a MacPro1,1.  You'll need to create a new installer that will boot on a MacPro1,1.  See: Jowie's Blog post for details on how to do this.  The new installer will work as you expect a modern Windows operating system installer should work.  Difficulty Rating: 3 of 10.

Second, Apple's Boot Camp 3.0+ installer for Windows will not install its drivers on a MacPro1,1.  Again, I'll spare you the various technical and conspiratorial reasons given for why Apple doesn't support 64 bit Windows 7 on a MacPro1,1.  Suffice to say that it's still possible to install the drivers without very much difficulty.  See: John Robbins' Blog post for details on how to do this.  Difficulty Rating: 1 of 10.

Third, with the 64 bit version of Windows 7 and Apple's 64 bit Boot Camp drivers installed, you may start to experience the Windows Blue Screen of Death (a.k.a., BSOD).  I haven't run across a technical explanation for why this occurs, but I know how to remedy it (as long as you're willing to give up access to your Macintosh partition[s] when booted into Windows).  All you have to do is rename C:/Windows/System32/drivers/AppleHFS.sys and C:/Windows/System32/drivers/AppleMNT.sys.  I do this by adding "-rm" after the name and before the dot-extension (i.e., "AppleHFS-rm.sys" and "AppleMNT-rm.sys").  Doing this will keep them from loading after your next reboot -- which you will want to do immediately.  Keep in mind that each update to the Boot Camp software (i.e., v3.0 to v3.1) will likely undo that renaming.  You'll need to remember to go back and rename those two files if you want to avoid the return of BSODs after updates.  Difficulty Rating: 1 of 10.

At this point you should have a perfectly functional MacPro running both Snow Leopard and the 64 bit version of Windows 7.  You should be happy with this outcome -- there are plenty who will tell you that it isn't even possible.  You probably should be satisfied that you got this far.  The next step would be labeled "Here There Be Monsters" if it were on an ancient map.  Be warned.  I think I spent three full days getting it to work.  It WILL work but you might just end up starting over from scratch several times if one of the steps goes wrong[1].  So, why would anybody want to tackle the next step?  Because they bought an SATA Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive that works under Snow Leopard but can't be seen by Windows.  Because they have additional, internal SATA HDDs that work under Snow Leopard but can't be seen by Windows.  The cause for both is the same: lack of support for Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) when booting into Windows.  So, the final step in my checklist is to enable AHCI support.  We'll pick up where we left off:

Fourth, your MacPro defaults to a legacy controller mode when installing/booting Windows.  Not only does this result in your drive controller running at 100MB/s (instead of its 1.5GB/s capability), it also keeps Windows from seeing any devices connected to the other five on-board SATA ports.  After trying several different step-by-step instructions without success, I finally came across the instructions posted on the MacRumors Forums.  All you'll give up after successfully completing this final step is the use of the Boot Camp Control Panel under Windows.  Booting into Snow Leopard will require rebooting your MacPro while holding down the option key so that you can select the boot OS. Difficulty Rating: 8 of 10. 

That's it!  You've tricked out your first generation MacPro with Snow Leopard and 64 bit Windows 7.

[1] I'm not kidding about this.  By "scratch" I mean all the way back to wiping the boot drive and installing Snow Leopard.

We've all heard the predictions that one day our refrigerators and microwaves will be connected to the Internet.  I've always been a little skeptical about the benefits in those particular cases, but the smart people over at Withings created an Internet-enabled bathroom scale that I really, really love.  I've been using it for the past couple days, since UPS so kindly delivered it from Amazon.  Once configured, you use it like you would any other bathroom scale.  The pure magic happens when -- in addition to displaying the data on its built-in LCD screen -- it automatically senses which of the family members is stepping on it at that very moment and transmits (via WiFi) all of the readings (weight and body composition) to Withings' Internet service.  The data is instantly available through an account at Withings and through an iPhone application (WiScale).

Why would anybody want such a device?  If you're like me and you're working to regain some of the fitness lost after years of working behind a desk in the technology industry, the scale is a godsend.  Trending data is extremely valuable and the only alternative is hand documenting each weigh-in.  Plus, the data is now available for other Internet applications, such as Google Health and RunKeeper.  Who only knows what future applications could use the data in life improving ways.

As mentioned in my previous Garmin Forerunner 405 post, I was skeptical of the "upgrade" a Forerunner 405 represented when compared to a Forerunner 305.  As I suspected, the 405 should not be considered much of an evolution in the product line.  Most of the enhancements are superficial, and fail to make the product more functional.  Unlike the giant leap between the 205 and 305, the 405 is simply a disappointment.  Melissa has had one since its release, and posts her Garmin Forerunner 405 review on her blog.  Needless to say, I'm sticking with my tried and true 305.

I've always heard about rampant Internet fraud, but I've only ever personally encountered it in two occasions.  For the most part, Internet transactions are safe and free of fraud.  The ones that are fraudulent seem to be fairly easy to catch.  This one was caught and brought to my attention by a smart individual who ran across an advertisement for "Adorable English Bulldog puppies" [link].  Liking adorable English bulldog puppies [who doesn't], the individual inquired further and requested to see the pedigree.  The pedigree delivered via e-mail was a poorly modified version of my dog's pedigree, originally posted on this very blog.  I've posted the faked pedigree for comparison.

The wonderful thing about the Internet is that you can do a little bit of work to connect the facts and uncover possible fraud.  Tapas' breeder was contacted by the above-mentioned individual, after they did some research on the lineage.  The obvious question was, "How could an English bulldog come from a family of Chihuahuas?"  I'm just curious as to why the fraudsters swapped out the American Kennel Club logo and changed the typeface at the top of the certificate -- both seemingly unnecessary steps to take.

Don't think that I am trying to downplay Internet fraud.  It's a very serious problem with very few solutions.  In fact, posting this entry is one of the few responses available to me.  So,...let it be known that the individual(s) using the name "filly mimi" (fillymimi@live.com, fillymimi@aol.com) may try to sell you a fictitious bulldog pup.  They are probably running the same scam with other names, e-mail addresses, and dog breeds.  Be cautious!  The common thread in their particular scams will probably be their poor grammar. See below:

I hate to say it, but this has the stench of a Nigerian scam.

After almost two years since the release of the Forerunner 305, Garmin has finally announced the release of an upgrade in their line of personal fitness computers. A comparison of the two models makes me think that the main difference between the 305 and new 405 is the form factor. The 405 does sport a new, wireless sync capability (using an included USB ANT™ stick), but I never felt that the older USB cradle represented an inconvenience. In fact, the combination of sync and charge in the older USB cradle was really great for traveling. The 405 will require carrying the "stick" and a separate charger. Is that an upgrade?

In all honesty, it is unfair to make an assessment by comparing manufacturer specs -- especially if the products are from the same manufacturer. For whatever reason most manufacturers have an uncanny inability to convey their products' key value propositions. Take, for example, almost any PC laptop maker (e.g., Dell, HP, and Sony). Can you tell the difference between a Dell Vostro™, Latitude™ or Precision™? It's like a exercise in graph theory every time you want to make a purchasing decision. But I digress.

The Garmin Forerunner 405 could be a quantum leap in the Forerunner evolution, as the 305 was to the 205. I won't know until I actually own one and can make a "real world" judgement. The catch is that I'm not compelled to upgrade, yet. Somebody else needs to be the first penguin in the water this time. Unless, that is, Garmin wants to send me an evaluation unit.

You've all heard the stories about thousand dollar phone bills when traveling internationally with an iPhone. As someone that once sent a very costly e-mail (~$1,900) via my Cingular 3G wireless Internet service while roaming in the Pisa, Italy airport, I can attest to a valid concern about mindlessly roaming with an iPhone. Although I already had the discounted international roaming package ($5.99/month) for my voice service, it does not cover any of the data service that is so important to the iPhone. Enter AT&T's "Data Global Plans for iPhone". At just $24.99/month, you can head off most of the scary data roaming costs associated with using the iPhone internationally. Thirty-six countries are covered in the plan, and you can start and stop the service at any time (i.e., there's no new contract associated with the feature).