Hazy reports surfaced last week that MODE32 was not compatible with System 7.1. Happily, Connectix informs us that the incompatibility exists only in limited circumstances, and most users won't have trouble.

MODE32 is the nifty utility, developed by Connectix and licensed by Apple for distribution to all Mac users, that "cleans up" Macs with older, dirty ROMs, allowing these Macs (the II, IIx, IIcx, and SE/30) to use 32-bit mode, and thus allowing them to address more than 8 MB of RAM or more than 13 MB of virtual memory.

According to Connectix CEO Roy McDonald, MODE32 is compatible with System 7.1 unless the Mac is in 32-bit mode AND using virtual memory. Because Connectix's analysis of its registered user base shows that most MODE32 users are using the software so they can address a large amount of real memory, and therefore wouldn't be using virtual memory, Roy doesn't believe that most users will notice this problem.

The incompatibility seems to be "highly configuration-dependent," meaning that even in the situation described above, some users might not have difficulties. Early testing has led Connectix to suspect that one factor involved in the problem may be the arrangement of NuBus cards, so users who do experience this incompatibility can try moving around their NuBus cards.

Connectix is not working on a 7.1-compatible version of MODE32, because Apple has announced that a "system enabler" is in development that will provide the same functionality. No release date has been announced for this technology, which Apple claimed was in the works last September. The company is undoubtedly rushing now that it's too late to release it along with System 7.1.

Even though Connectix is confident that most users won't experience problems, and believes that they have narrowed down the possible problems, Roy asks that users who feel they have found a source of incompatibility other than virtual memory between MODE32 and System 7.1 call Connectix Technical Support at one of the numbers below.

Connectix Corp. -- 800/950-5880 -- 415/571-5100
415/571-5195 (fax)

Information from:
Roy McDonald, Connectix -- connectix@applelink.apple.com