IBM admits problems with new drivers
UPDATE 10/25/97 | UPDATE 2/8/98
On Friday (9/26) the following was posted
to the IBM Aptiva Message Boards on AOL:
Subject: Re: Mwave 20D Drivers
Date: 26 Sep 1997 22:50:01 EDT
From: IBM JohnAt this time, IBM has found a problem with the installation procedure in the newest release of the IBM Aptiva Mwave drivers (versions 20D and 20E). We are at this time, recommending you do not download or install these drivers until a correction to these problems can be put in place.
If you have already downloaded and installed these drivers, and are experiencing problems with your MIDI player or Microphone; we are recommending that you restore your original Mwave drivers until the new drivers can be updated.
We are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
John Houghton,
IBM Online HelpCenter [AOL]
- Just to add my
As far as the problems with the drivers being merely in the installation
instructions I have some doubts. Although the step-by-step details were
obviously way off base to begin with I suspect that there is a little more
involved than that. My understanding is that as of today (10/2) IBM has
posted updated instructions for installing 20D. I will head there with an
open mind and adjust this site accordingly after reinstalling as per IBM's
steps. Hopefully they will detail a way to get the full, rich sounding MIDI
that I was used to with a 600 file (MIDIFULL) sample set out of a 200 file
(MIDIMED) set. Until that time my opinion remains that if you:
1- Are currently getting good reliable 28.8 connections, and
2- Do not have games and software that will currently not run
on your Aptiva due to lack of MWAVE support for DirectSound
...that you should avoid these drivers as one would a pool of AIDS
infected blood. For a list of the bugs click HERE
There is only a small (almost unnoticable) difference between a 28.8 and
a 31.2 connection (or even a 33.6 for that matter), and all the concerns such
as errors, microphone problems and unbelievably crappy sounding MIDIs
are too high a price to pay with such a small payoff at the end.
IBM's suggesting that those with problems just "restore your original Mwave drivers" is all well and good, but many have had difficulty...it'sjust not as simple as they make it sound.
Several people have reported to me that 20D is a "one-way ticket" and that they have had to break out their Product Recovery CD to purge the buggy drivers. :-(
I plan on hanging in with 20D and trying to work through some of the
concerns, but if/when I attempt to "come home" to 28.8 of course I will
post any tips on that process that I may come across.
That having been said, as long as the drivers are available through IBM's
FTP the links remain out on the 20D site for those who wish to give them
a spin.
Good luck...you'll need it.
...and then there were none
- Reducing your graphics acceleration prior to running the setup
will avoid the MWAVE v ATI conflicts which result in GPFs. - There is a workaround for the MICROPHONE FAILURES.
- There is a patch file (MWSYNLSC.ZIP) available that corrects the MMSYSTEM003 errors.
- IBM has already released a debugged copy of AUDSTUSE.EXE
that includes the missing file that has caused problems on some
models. If you downloaded the file before it was fixed you can
get VCTL.DLL v 1.64 here. - And if you end up with the horrible sounding MIDI there are some
excellent MIDI drivers available from Yamaha that will more than
satisfactorily resolve THAT concern.
- I'm pleased to report that after struggling with taming these drivers for over
a month (during which time I felt like a full time "professional MWAVE installer"),
I have finally got them working PERFECTLY. :-)
There is no question that there ARE bugs...and in the files themselves rather
than just the install directions. IBM from what I hear plans on releasing the 20D drivers on CD, and hopefully by the time that happens all the various concerns
will be addressed. However, for those that do not wish to wait I can at least feel comfortable tellling you that all of the possible problems that you may encounter CAN be fixed:
While overall it has not been the most pleasant of experiences (Murphy's Law
was in full swing in this comedy of errors...IBM's releasing a Norwegan copy of
20DD incorectly labeled AUDSTUSE.EXE last weekend took the cake), but all
seems to have worked out in the end. The 33.6 modem support is VERY stable
(unlike IBM's first attempt at 33.6 late last year) and most people report decent DirectSound support. Now that I have my MIDI back I'm happier than a pig in a
pile of dung. If you've been hanging back the trail has been blazed, enjoy!
© Don Schneider, 1988
DON5408's Unofficial Aptiva Support Site