HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: keith@wet.UUCP (Keith Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: PB100 at Price Club in Bay area
Date: 31 Aug 92 05:41:45 GMT
Organization: Wetware Diversions, San Francisco

Let me know too, PLEASE!!!!!!!!

Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware,comp.sys.mac.misc
From: chou@cs.washington.edu (Pai Hsiang Chou)
Subject: Re: System 7 is slower (was IIsi vs new Macs - should I wait?)
Organization: Computer Science & Engineering, U. of Washington, Seattle
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 07:37:59 GMT

In article <1992Aug18.173259.1236@das.harvard.edu> vreddy@das.harvard.edu (Venkatesh Reddy) writes:
>In article <1992Aug18.170255.25088@gvl.unisys.com>, dave@prc.unisys.com (David Lee Matuszek) writes:
>|> System 7 is
>|>    - bigger,
>|>    - slower,
>|>    - more complex.

>Are you a system 7 user? at all? ever played with it extensively? Except for a
>few minor memory management errors which almost never surface, system 7 is
>definitely better. Yes it's bigger, but it's also better... definitely NOT slower.

It is noticeably slower on an SE.  In my experience,
it takes close to 2 minutes too boot up under system 7,
(compared to 20 seconds under system 6).
It just feels very sluggish, about 30-40% slower even when
it's not accessing the disk.
The menu is also much less responsive.
I switched back to system 6 after about 3 weeks.
I'll probably switch to system 7 when I can afford a
faster machine and all the software upgrades.

Pai
From: Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: RE: Recommendations for MAC hardwar
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 19:00:17 EST
Organization: FidoNet node 1:226/20.18 - cmhGate UF Gateway, Columbus OH

selliott@cup.portal.com (J Steve Elliott) writes:

JSE> I know that it is important to buy a System 7 compatible Mac, 
JSE> but I'm not really sure what that means, other than System 
JSE> 7 won't run on the 68000 based Mac's. This would be the Mac 
JSE> Classic, right? 

System 7 will run on every Macintosh built after the Mac 512 series, which
means every Mac built since late 1986.  That includes 68000 based machines. 
Apple sez 2 megs RAM required to run Sys7, but that's a theoretical minimum. 
4 megs is the practical minimum.

--Adam--
 
--  
Adam Frix via cmhGate - Net 226 fido<=>uucp gateway Col, OH
UUCP: ...!n8emr!bluemoon!cmhgate!20.18!Adam.Frix
INET: Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware,comp.sys.mac.apps
From: clk3042@usl.edu (Kinsland Cynthia L)
Subject: Help with Chemistry Tutorial
Organization: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Distribution: w
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 22:17:50 GMT

I am writing a grant to purchase software for
computer aided instruction of chemistry.  I would
like to know which Macintosh would best suit my
needs.  Please E-mail me at clk3042@usl.edu with
your suggestions and reasons.  Also any ideas for
good math or chemistry tutorial software would be
appreciated.
Thanks,
Cynthia
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: Norbert Mueller <K360171@alijku11.edvz.uni-linz.ac.at>
Subject: Re: 8-24GC strikes again...
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A6C7BB4EC4016205@nmueller.chemie.uni-linz.ac.at>
X-Xxdate: Mon, 31 Aug 92 11:04:30 GMT
Organization: Johannes Kepler Univ., Inst. of Chemistry
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d7
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 10:16:13 GMT

Re: 8-24GC strikes again...


Well I have reiterated this several times, but here it is again:

The original 8*24GC with system 6.x provided the promised acceleration (2
to 5 times)
at both 8bit and 24bit depth on a IIci with the 13"monitor. It was
somewhat instable
with certain applcations but considering the first generation software
(i.e. cdev) this
could be considered to be fixed in the next release.

enter system 7  (which I love & need)

the old cdev was incompatible, a fix was promised, it arrived 6 months
after system 7.
There was however a catch: the new cdev DISABLED the caches in the 68030,
resulting	in
an overall slower performance of the machine. 5 months later (approx.)
there was another
fix: Now the caches work. Based on this software and the old ROMs I can
now say the
8*24GC is compatible with system 7, although some apps seem to crash more
often with the
accelerator turned on (e.g THINK Pascal). The acceleration is hardly
noticeable in 8 bit
mode, it is evident in 24bit mode but never reaches the speed it had
under system 6.
(This i not a flame on system 7).

Now the great catch for me: the 8*24GC acceleration is NOT compatible
with the Quadras,
nor with A/UX, both of which I have to switch to before the end of the
year.
In my opinion, in the current config. the 8*24GC offers the worst
price/performance
ratio of any Apple product I know. 



Norbert M~ller
Institute of Chemistry
Johannes Kepler University
A-4040 Linz
Austria 
e-mail K360171@ALIJKU11.bitnet
       K360171@ALIJKU11.EDVZ.uni-linz.ac.at
       Norbert@soft.uni-linz.ac.at
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: calweare@kraken.itc.gu.edu.au (Michael Weare)
Subject: Sad Mac Plus
Reply-To: calweare@kraken.UUCP (Michael Weare)
Organization: Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 92 02:35:08 GMT

Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Sad Mac Plus
Summary: 
Expires: 
Reply-To: calweare@kraken.UUCP (Michael Weare)
Followup-To: 
Distribution: 
Organization: Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Keywords: 

A while ago there existed a document which showed various "Sad-Mac" error
codes and their meanings for the Plus, SE, etc. However I cannot find it
at present.

So if anybody can tell me what an error code of "030200" when I first
switch on a Mac Plus.  I have had the machine apart just to reseat the
SIMM's but that has made no difference.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Michael Weare
Systems Support
CALT
Griffith University

Xref: sparky comp.sys.mac.hardware:15928 comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware:1545 comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware:22663
From: jensen@ben.dev.upenn.edu (Christopher Jensen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Use of external HD to setup multiple new Mac's/PC's ?
Date: 26 Aug 92 01:33:10 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

Hi,

For many of our new installations of Mac's and PC's, we install
the same core system software (System 7.x, Dos 5, Windows 3.1, etc)
and the same fonts, and the same network card drivers for the respective
machines.

Be it mac or pc, we end up installing multiple megabytes of the same
software from floppies, answer the same install questions, and then
juggle floppies until the basic installation is complete.

We then do some minor "tweaking" of config.sys, autoexec.bat, and System7
control panel settings.

This process seems grossly inefficient - especially when setting up
labs with multiple identical machines. As an example lets say you have
a lab to set up with 10 Quadra's and/or 10 PC 486's.

It would be ideal if we could custom configure an external hard drive
and then use that hard drive to set up the other internal hard drives
of the individual machines (no floppy aerobics, no installer questions, etc)

Questions:

Can any one suggest some techniques to improve the efficiency
of setting up multiple machines ?

The Mac side seems simpler because of the builtin SCSI.
We have experimented with DiskImages and the Mount Disk utility.
There is also some sort of lower level HD to HD copy utility
that comes with FWB's hard disk tool kit.

The PC side is more complicated because of no built in SCSI
and the need to run a temporary config utility in order
for the PC to recognize an external drive. We have also
experimented with laplink. Other people have suggested
using some sort of parallel-to-ethernet or parallel-to scsi
port adapter.

Any insights on setup from CD's are also welcome.
We have heard blurbs about people installing OS/2 without touching
any of the 21 floppies. It's unclear if they accomplished this by using
some sort of PC disk image utility.

--Christopher Jensen
  University of Pennsylvania
  Jensen@Ben.Dev.Upenn.Edu



Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: ytam@sciborg.UWaterloo.ca (Ying Tam)
Subject: Re: Disadvantages of System 7 (How about Advantages!?)
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 18:58:06 GMT
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: Apple video 4.8->8.24 How??
From: Matt Kingman <mkingman@zdi.ziff.com>
Date: 27 Aug 92 20:18:56 EDT
Distribution: world
Organization: Ziff Desktop Information
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1.1d9X-XXDate: Thu, 27 Aug 92 20:21:01 GMTLines: 22

In article <1992Aug25.175937.13087@bnr.ca> Ian,  writes:
>I have an apple 4.8 video card connected to an apple portrait monitor. I
>noticed two SIMM like slots on the card and was told that I can add
memory to
>make the card an 8.24. A local computer shop wants $250 (ouch) for the
upgrade
>I also baffles a few of the mail order places.
>
>Does anyone know a cheaper solution? What kind of memory does the card
require.

Just buy two Quadra VRAM SIMMs.  An even cheaper solution is to find two
friends that have upgraded their LCs to the 512K VRAM SIMM and permanently
borrow the 256K VRAM SIMMs that they have sitting around collecting dust.
These old LC SIMMs also work in Quadras (although I heard the 950 is
different).  I've used old LC VRAM SIMMs on both the 4.8 card and in a
Quadra 700 and 900 without any problems.  Your mileage may vary.

/Matt
---
Matt Kingman
Disclaimer: I do not speak for my employer.
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: papo@pyuxf.uucp (25241-anaya)
Subject: Now I did it!
Organization: Bellcore, Piscataway, NJ
Distribution: comp
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 14:10:03 GMT
Summary: Honey, I screwed up the floppy disk.
Keywords: Recalibration Floppies Screwy_Things Lisa  

Hi netters, it's me again.

After successfully fixing the monitor (Thanks Steve Evans!!!!!)
The machine it's working like a jewel, I mean was.  I tried to
clean up the with a floppy cleaner and the cleaning floppy got stuck.
I opened the cage and I found out that one of the springs got stuck.
I fixed the spring but I guess that I decalibrate the heads 
in the process and I guess that I 
need to be recalibrated them (otherwise, I screwed the heads and I have
to trow it out to the trash can and buy another one). 

Ok.  If the heads can be recalibrated, can some kind soul 
tell me some pointers in how to do that.  As far as I know, they
have to be paralel to the drive, other than that, beats me.

Cheers,


 __o__
(_____)   Luis Roberto Anaya-Rivera         papo@pyuxf.cc.bellcore.com
|     |__ This message comes from an OVERWORKED, OVERLOOKED and OVERDRAWN
| []  |_| but still basically fun person.
|_____|______
(_____)   
   o      

Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: Ian <none@none>
Subject: Re: Apple video 4.8->8.24 How??
Organization: BNR
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 20:03:21 GMT

I posted the question....here's the answer...

Quadra 256K VRAM chips do indeed make the 4.8 into an 8.24. They can be
had mail-order for about $30-$40 ( you need 2). Technology Works
confirmed this.


Ian
Organization: University of Maine System
Date: Thursday, 3 Sep 1992 16:42:10 EDT
From: James <IO92142@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: PB 145/160 + external monitor

Hello.  I'm thinking of getting a PB and the idea of hooking up
to an external monitor in at my desk sounds really nice.  I'm
a student and have heard that will be available on the 160/180
models.  However, will the 160/180's be more expensive or
have less power than the 145 with an adapter?

Basically, should I wait?

Thanks
James Gray
University of Maine
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: markg@cray.com (Mark Granholm)
Subject: Cache Card questions for Mac IIsi
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Date: 3 Sep 92 10:16:40 CDT


I am considering purchasing a cache card for my Mac IIsi. 
Currently I am considering the following two options. 

1. The Applied Engineering QuicksilverII si/w FPU or
2. Daystar Digitals Fastcache si/w FPU.

 
I have some questions concerning several things.

1. Both come with a extension PDU slot, but are there compatibility problems
   with additional cards that may install in that slot?

2. Are there any problems with either card in general?

3. The QuicksilverII is a 32K cache and the Daystart is a 64K cache,
   is there a significant difference in performance between the two cards?


Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

         Thanks

          Mark

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Granholm                              
Cray Research Incorporated                 
655F Lone Oak Drive.                        E-Mail: markg@cray.com
Eagan, MN 55121
From: jgrape@coos.dartmouth.edu (Johan A. Grape)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Sun shoebox & Mac
Date: 4 Sep 92 12:19:08 GMT
Followup-To: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Distribution: usa
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Originator: jgrape@coos.dartmouth.edu


	I know this one has been asked before, but I don't recall
	the answer.

	Is it possible to use a Sun 141 meg + QIC tape shoebox with
	the Mac?

	Thanks a bundle

	Johan

	jgrape@coos.dartmouth.edu
Xref: sparky comp.sys.mac.hardware:16455 comp.sys.laptops:3420
From: luigi@paris.CS.Berkeley.EDU (Luigi Semenzato)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware,comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Powerbooks 100 at the Whole Earth Access: really $800
Date: 3 Sep 1992 16:38:26 GMT
Organization: University of California at Berkeley
NNTP-Posting-Host: paris.cs.berkeley.edu
Summary: Someone misled me

Someone corrected me: the PB100 2/20 with external drive is really
$799 at the Whole Earth Access.  I swear I was quoted $849 on the
phone---not very nice, someone was trying to make extra money I
suppose.  In any case this is moot since you can get it for $699
at (301) 588-6565.   --Luigi
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: Risto Virtanen <rvirta@utu.fi>
Subject: Apple Ethernet Thin Coax Tranceiver cables?
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A6CAC2099A03047F@roisto.utu.fi>
X-Xxdate: Wed, 2 Sep 92 17:10:01 GMT
Organization: Turku School of Economics
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d9
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 16:04:14 GMT

What is inside Apple Ethernet Thin Coax Tranceiver cable connectors and
why? 
(Those are meant for Quadra's built in Ethernet)
Our net gurus measured 25 ohm resistance in the cables and ripped them
off and 
replaced them with plain ethernet cables and connectors. They said that
the
resistors are wrong and against specifications and cause reflections in
the
network (We have also PC's in the same zone). Doc's have no reference to
terminators either.
So why did Apple make them that way in the first place and what is 
the rationale for doing so? Any references for info? 
Or are our wizards just ignorant, arrogant jerks?
Apple, are you listening?

Roisto
From: daver@sunspot.ssl.berkeley.edu (David Ray)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: LC video RAM upgrade
Date: 3 Sep 1992 17:22:36 GMT
Organization: Space Sciences Lab, UC Berkeley
NNTP-Posting-Host: sunspot.ssl.berkeley.edu

In article <715514553.F00001@blkcat.UUCP> Mark.J..Sisson@p842.f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Mark J. Sisson) writes:
>I agree entirely. I have a Tokamac LC in mine and I am very pleased! It is a
>very expensive item though. You've got to REALLY want speed! But it works well.

I'm probably going to get an accelerator for my LCII at the upcoming MacWorld
and I want to compare price/performance between the Tokamac LC and the
40 or 50 MHz PowerCache. I know both really speed up the Mac -- the Tokamac
25 MHz/040 is about $2000 and the 50MHz/030 PCache w/coprocessor is about $1200.
I have heard different stories about which is faster. I heard that, with the
040 cache turned off the Tokamac is slower than the 50MHz PCache.

Has anybody compared performance between these?


Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: james@sst.ph.ic.ac.uk (James Kew)
Subject: Disk Spinup problem
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1.1d9
X-XXMessage-ID: <A6CA6F6A3F01930F@mac12.sst.ph.ic.ac.uk>
Organization: Physics, Imperial College, London
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 13:21:48 BST
X-XXDate: Wed, 2 Sep 92 13:17:30 GMT

I'm having an intermittent problem at startup time -- it looks like
my disk isn't spinning up in time, giving me the flashing floppy
icon. Sometimes I can hear a soft "clunk" as if the motor is
attempting to spin the disk and failing.

After this first failure the Mac always successfully starts up after
either a reset or power on/off.

The machine is an SE/30 with the normal Apple 40M disk; off the top
of my head I can't remember the mechanism but I could find out. It's
2.5 years old, but this has only been happening in the last few
weeks.

This is worrying me a little, although it only occurs in about 10% of
startups and doesn't cause any trouble after startup. Is this
stiction? Is there anything I can do about it? Or should I steel
myself to buy a new HD?

______________________________________________________________________
James Kew <james@sst.ph.ic.ac.uk>    "Well, on a scale of one to ten
Physics (SSTH)                        I'd say it's bicycle clip time."
Imperial College, London.                       - Eddie Hitler, Bottom
From: purp@wixer.cactus.org (Jim Meyer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: IIsi/Sys 7 Trash Problem?
Summary: Can't kill trash warning.
Keywords: system 7.0 trash warning must die die die
Date: 1 Sep 92 14:00:50 GMT
Organization: Real/Time Communications


Quite simply, there's a Mac IIsi in our office that, for some reason,
will not allow the trash warning to be permanently shut off. We can shut
it off temporarily, but at startup, it's back on again.

We've tried system reinstalls, as well as copying a System from another
disk. What's going on in there?

--Purp, in a quandary, part 2.
-- 
+---------------+------------------------------+-----------------------+
| Jim Meyer     | If I express an opinion, you | purp@wixer.cactus.org |
| Austin, Tejas | can bet no one else agrees.  | aka jimpurp@pro-lep   |
+---------------+------------------------------+-----------------------+
Xref: sparky comp.sys.mac.hardware:16113 comp.sys.mac.wanted:7915
From: alan@wam.umd.edu (Alan J. Schunemann)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware,comp.sys.mac.wanted
Subject: Need help with E-machines Z21 monitor/card.
Date: 28 Aug 92 23:52:28 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland at College Park
Originator: alan@rac2.wam.umd.edu

I've hooked this monitor/card up to my SE and can't access the
display. Any idea what the problem is? Does anyone have one running
on an SE? Where could I get a NuBus card to drive the Z21? Will a 
"Big Picture" card work?

Thanks,
Alan
-- 
_________________________________________________________________
Alan Schunemann       "Well, what shall we throw away this year?"
alan@wam.umd.edu      -Andrew Carnegie
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: louislam@iastate.edu (Louis C Lam)
Subject: Where to buy PowerBook 100 4/40?
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 16:37:31 GMT

Where can I buy a PowerBook 100 4/40 besides dealers and Price Club?

Here in Central Iowa, I can't find a Price Club and the dealers charges a 4/40 for over $1100.  Is there any place else I can get a PB100 4/40?

Louis
louislam@iastate.edu

Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: mmm@leland.Stanford.EDU (michael murray)
Subject: Good price on Radius Color Pivot/LE for SE/30?
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: ca
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 92 23:01:15 GMT

A few days ago, I thought I saw a posting that listed a <$800 price for
the Radius Color Pivot/LE (with bundled interface card).  I can't find the
article anymore.  Can someone please tell me the Bay area store(or mail
order) with a good price on this monitor.  Stanford student price is $849.

I have an SE/30 and I am looking for a full page monitor to use in writing my
thesis with Word 5.  I was going to shop in November for a black and white
monitor (all I really need).  However, this deal came along now for a color
monitor (color would be nice).  Any comments on buying this color monitor at
this low price?  Are there other options, better monitors, that I am missing?

Thank you
mike murray
murray@nova.stanford.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: smoon@strfleet.gsfc.nasa.gov (Sang J. Moon)
Subject: Where is PRAM located on Mac II board?
Organization: NASA GSFC Code 534.3
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 13:06:47 GMT

What's the Parameter RAM (PRAM) chip location/reference designator on
a Mac II logic board?  I need to solve a battery soldering abuse
problem.  Thanks.

Sang J. Moon
smoon@strfleet.gsfc.nasa.gov or smoon@gsfcmail.nasa.gov
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: Risto Virtanen <rvirta@utu.fi>
Subject: 16" Touch screens for Mac Quadra 700?
X-Xxmessage-Id: <A6CABDC76402047F@roisto.utu.fi>
X-Xxdate: Wed, 2 Sep 92 16:51:51 GMT
Organization: Turku School of Economics
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1.1d9
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 92 15:46:04 GMT

We are going to set up an interactive information kiosk for students and
would 
prefer a large 16" touch screen instead of mouse interface. 
Any info on availability appreciated.
Thanx in advance
Roisto
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: mzajac@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Michael Stephen Zajac)
Subject: Re: PB 170 UPGRADE???
Organization: University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 18:26:48 GMT

In <bob_janc-cdsr98x-310892144215@145.1.80.79> bob_janc-cdsr98x@email.mot.com (Bob_Janc) writes:

>I have a PB 170 and am satisfied with almost every aspect of it, it could
>use a larger hard disk.  I noted that the PB 180 will have a 80 M and a
>120 M capability.  Does anyone know if the PB 170 will be upgradable?

>bob janc

I am in the same situation, but I am interested in upgrading to a Duo so
I can be portable yetdo colour CAD work as well.  Will there be an 
upgrade to the duos or should I sell this baby as soon as I can?

Michael Zajac
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
From: hermens@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu (Leonard Hermens -- EECS)
Subject: Re: cat >> faq
Organization: Washington State University
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 92 23:35:56 GMT

In article <16573@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> igor@charles.ucdavis.edu writes:
>i have hated macs, just for the record, since their inception

   [deleted diatribe]

>how does one hook a mac2 serial (rs422) port to the ol' 25-pin...

   [deleted request for help]

Here's the answer:

   [deleted reply because poster doesn't understand that one doesn't
    burn a bridge, and then try to cross it]
From: benkei@cs.utexas.edu (William Kent Richards)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Re: PowerBook battery life & AC
Date: 27 Aug 1992 16:46:55 -0500
Organization: U Texas Dept of Computer Sciences, Austin TX
NNTP-Posting-Host: nada.cs.utexas.edu

In article <zaphod-270892143114@gregt.winona.msus.edu> zaphod@vax2.winona.msus.edu (Gregory Talmo) writes:
>In article <1992Aug26.210441.26322@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>,
>Robert.H.Gross@dartmouth.edu (Robert H. Gross) wrote:

       [ battery losing life, what can be done? ]

>> 
>  Bob, what is probably happening is the dreaded 'memory effect' common to
>NiCad batteries.  If the battery is not fully (or at least close to it)
>discharged before it is recharged then a "memory barrier" is created at the

>  Unfortunately once the barrire is there I don't think that there is
>anything that you can do to get rid of it.  Also the projected life span

You can try to really deep-cycle it, maybe with the battery conditioner.
Another way is to get a resistance of some sort, like a little flashlight
bulb, hook it up with some wires (might want get a little socket for
the bulb), and short out the battery (wire to either electrode with
the bulb in between).  Probably don't want to completely short the battery,
as NiCads can put out a lot of amps and it might get real hot and/or
damage the battery (of course, it seems to be already damaged).
Therefor you want a little resistance, like the light bulb.  I've heard
of success in restoring life to a portable cellular phone battery
in a similar manner (using a little battery powered fan instead of
a light bulb).  You just want enough resistance to allow a high current
but keep it from burning up.
-- 

Kent Richards                         "Practice random acts of kindness
benkei@cs.utexas.edu                   and senseless beauty"