But things get a little hairy when you try to make them all place nicely with each other. But other devices require software drivers, and that's where the problems begin. You install a printer, and suddenly your SuperDisk drive won't read disks. You hook up a USB hub to expand the number of devices you can install, and suddenly your Mac won't boot or shut down. To be perfectly fair, Apple has addressed some of the problems with USB in Mac OS 9 and Mac OS 9.0.4.
Manufacturers continue to update their hardware and software to deal with the conflicts.
But here and now, there's no guarantee that the USB device you install will always work perfectly. Should you encounter a problem, such as a USB device that stops working, or the failure of your Mac to boot or frequent crashes, you might want to check the manufacturer's Web site for updated software or troubleshooting advice. Just remember, though, that many of the reports you see are anecdotal and may not accurately represent the actual problem or the solution. However, if you see a lot of similar complaints about a specific product, and proposed solutions from a company spokesperson, you'll want to pay attention to the advice. Return to top of page Copyright 1999-2001 by Gene Steinberg.