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hello all,

i recently just downloaded sfp 3.1a and attempted to install it, but for whatever reason the install process isn't happening.

i'm running a powermac 7500 w/ g3 300, 256mb, os 9.1 and an elektra card. i was using a twin turbo 128 graphics card but took it and its drivers out in the hopes that it was causing a conflict. i am running on a very lean extension set. i could go into detail if needed.

anyhow, my problem is thus. when i start up the installer, i get to the driver install screen and it allways says i need to install the driver, no matter if it has been installed from prior failed installations. i do this, and it tells me it will reboot my system. it reboots, the installer starts up again, and i am presented with a screen that says that i don't have any recognizable creamware cards, ok....whatever...i click on next, and now i can enter in my keys. ok, i'll try out my allkeys file, no....doesn't add any keys. ok, so i enter them manually....they hold, but the next button is not lighting up.

that is where i stand.

i'm not sure where the issue lies. i've been running the luna 2.52 os succesfully for the last year or so, and system profiler sees the elektra card just fine.

tried moving the elektra card to a different slot to no effect.

ideas?

Hi castol,

Once I had strange problems installing Pulsar software (and any kind of software as I saw later) but it was a bit different from yours. however in my case there was one extension/control panel caused the problem - it was 'default folder'. Perhaps this is in your system, too? There was one more issue that prevented me from successful Mac OS operation - it was an mp3 extensions called 'nmp3 blah blah' - sorry, I don't remember its name, I got rid of it . If you haven't any of those extensions then e-mail me your list of extensions and I'll see what can do, ok? A, and, please, list all your extensions directly from the folder not using Extensions manager - it sometims hides numerous extensions for the user.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-01-07 08:51 ]</font>

You should try updating your OS to 9.2.2 as this is recommended by Mac users here to run SFP3.1. Also update to 3.1c immediately (if you manage to get 3.1a installed first that is!).

Also you could try choosing the Mac OS original basic extensions set as a start.
Are you sure you deleted all old extensions: alloc, Crossdev.dll and CW Audio driver?
You also could order by mail a free full install cd at CW, it installs in one stroke the c version.
You'll have in a few days, and you're sure (well...) to have a non corrupted version.
Good luck!

hey, thanks for the suggestions folks.

i went ahead and upgraded to 9.2.2 and thinned out my extensions even more...to no effect, the installer still doesn't see my elektra. i think this is the root of my problem. just for reference I DO have an elektra installed in there and luna 2.52 does see it just fine.

ran os 9.2.2 base extension set to no effect.

well, here is my minimal extension set i pared down to.

Application Switcher
Folder Actions
Kensington Startup
Sonnet Processor Upgrade
About Apple Guide
ActiveX Controls
alloc
Apple Audio Extension
Apple Guide
AppleScript
Audio CD Access
Authoring Support Files
CarbonLib
Contextual Menu Extension
Creamware Audio Driver
CrossDev.dll
EM Extension
Find
FreeMIDI PowerPlug
FreeMIDI System Extension
Global Guide Files
HTMLRenderingLib
Internet Config Extension
Kensington Startup ADB
Location Manager Guide
Macintosh Guide
Macromedia
MacromediaRuntimeLib
Microsoft Component Library
Microsoft Framework
Microsoft Internet Library
Modem Scripts
MOTU
MRJ Libraries
MS Font Embed Library (PPC)
MS Library Folder
Open Music System
Open Transport
Open Transport ASLM Modules
Power On Extensions
QuickTime Extensions
QuickTime™
QuickTime™ MPEG Extension
QuickTime™ PowerPlug
Scripting Additions
Serial (Built-in)
Shared Library Manager
Shared Library Manager PPC
SimpleText Guide
Sound Manager
SoundSpace2Lib
SoundSprocket Filter
StuffIt Engine™
StuffIt Engine™ PowerPlug
Text Encoding Converter
Toast CD Reader
Twin Turbo™ Acceleration
Twin Turbo™ Upgrade
UDF Volume Access

and for going the route of getting the install cd from creamware. well...i'm not a paying sfp user. just ridding the free upgrade with no new devices bandwagon. so...i haven't ruled out paying for the upgrade. Honestly i am not even sure mac users were intended for this free upgrade. As creamware only mentions Win XP driver support for pc users. All the same I have an SFP key.

i'll probably be mailing them...but i have a feeling i'll get a cold shoulder, or not?

I guess it's a license issue.
YOU have the SFP key, as you've written, on your page, but the installer is obviously not aware of this. It starts, finds a board, checks it's table of valid hardware, doesn't find the Elektra as qualified and comes up with it's standard bla bla.
Actually I've lost who and which board at what sales date is qualified for whatever.
But hopefully SFP is the last such stage.

cheers, Tom

1. I don't think Mac users are not intended to use the free SFP. They wrote about the WinXP advantage because I bet 95% of CW users are those who use PCs.As a Mac user you benefit in faster graphics (on 9.2.2), better stability and many minor advantages.

2. Why are you so ashamed you don't have the paid version?

3. Where is the sfp software installed? Is the root of it MacHD/SFP31a or you installed it in a deeper folder (i.e. MacHD/creamware/folder...../SFP31a)? You should keep it as simple as possible. The best is as in the first example. And try to avoid spaces in the root names. But I bet you know it, already



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-01-08 17:12 ]</font>

On 2003-01-08 17:02, samplaire wrote:
1. I don't think Mac users are not intended to use the free SFP.

Samplaire, I considered it a programming error in the installer - if the key is on his page, he's entitled to SFP, no matter what OS it runs on.
There was a key issue for the owners of the very old Pulsar I with some Propack devices as well. CW had to generate new keys.
You most certainly know that Apple bs: 'cannot start, please use the OS that came with your machine' - those checks are often wiered as some combinations are refused while others work.

cheers, Tom

Hmm, I haven't take your option for consideration, indeed, Astro. In my opinion Castol should run the 2 ways of solving problems paralelly (i.e. informing CW about the key error possibility while trying all the best he could do himself)


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-01-09 03:27 ]</font>

Have you found any solution, Castol? Please, let us know

no i haven't. creamware contacted me the other day and said that they could do little to help cause of my dinosaur of a machine (7500 w/ g3 300), but that they did know of others using sfp on older macs under the minimum spec they state. their advice was to try 9.2.2, i did...again, and still no difference.

a little disapointing, getting a newer mac isn't in the plan for awhile. so i'll make do.

thanks all for the help.

Castol, have you tried the install without the G3 accellerator ? Sorry that I didn't mention it earlier, it just entered my mind.
On the other hand if you manage to unpack all the files from the archive and distribute them to the appropriate folders it should work.
There's no such thing as a registry on the Mac.

good luck, Tom

no, i haven't tried that astroman. but i just may. i still have my old 100mhz 601 pds card in the basement.

about unpacking the sfp archive and distributing the contents.

this i'm a little confused about. from what is left after unstuffing the archive, everything is uncompressed and placed in a similar positions as the stuff in my luna folder. i tried starting the sfp application from the install files folder left after unstuffing the sfp archive and got the message "no hardware found". but i hadn't done anything but unstuff the archive into the volume i wanted to install sfp into.

hmm.

will report back.

thanks for the suggestions.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: castol on 2003-01-15 11:55 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: castol on 2003-01-15 13:12 ]</font>

nah, i concede.

ok, if you have the sfp-folder structure that's a first step.
Then you'll have to get right what's inside the system folder:
first remove the old preferences file from system/preferences and better an additional copy (one never knows), then replace with a preferences file (if any) from the installation directory, or leave out if none (many apps create the file if it isn't present).
Check by file type what are (sfp-) system extensions and place them in the extensions folder. Generally those files are what handle the communication with the hardware, almost never the application does it alone.
So the error: no hw found may be caused by either a non-present or malfunctioning extension as well.
Last item: control panels - dunno if any are installed, but control panels often act as extensions or replace them. They (may)contain program code which gets a fixed memory location by the OS during startup and which is later referred to by the application.
This may read more complicated than it really is. The method itself is quite simple. You can also pmail me if you need more details.
If you want to run this setup you should do an additional step: remove both the Luna and the G3 accelerator and boot the machine without any extensions.
This is important as Macs use to memorize their hardware and sometimes plugout, reboot, plugin again is the only cure.
After that remove all old (luna) extensions, control panel (if any) and preferences and put them in a safe place on your disk.
Reboot with standard extensions and setup from the extracted archive as written above.

short prayer to Mr Murphy and the big Steven and keep your fingers crossed...

good luck, Tom

Astro gave me an idea of resetting the PRAM memory. It can be done using numerous utility apps or by just starting the computer with p+r+apple+option (or just p,r,apple, I don't remember) keys pressed at the same time till you hear the start tune for the second time. Some of your personal settings are lost that way (I don't remember which but for example appearance, memory etc). I don't really think it would help having in mind the 2.5 soft worked properly but who knows (Mr. Murphy)?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: samplaire on 2003-01-16 04:51 ]</font>

hi samplaire,

the PRAM trick often doesn't work with hardware trouble. That's why I suggested the strange move-out, reboot, move-in procedure.
I once had to instruct (via phone) a lady in the office to do that in a 7600, because some data was needed IMMEDIATELY and a crashed video card blocked the system.
Can you imagine her open the case and doing all that stuff she hadn't an idea what it was good for...
But it worked smoothly and within 10 minutes she had her system back.

cheers, Tom