This article contains part 1 of the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about System 7.5.5 Update.

Part two is available at the following URL:

Article 58286: System 7.5.5 Update: Frequently Asked Questions (2 of 2)

Questions in this FAQ

1. What is System 7.5.5 Update?

2. Who should install System 7.5.5 Update?

3. Should I install System 7.5.5 Update if I do not have System 7.5.3?

4. What improvements does System 7.5.5 Update deliver?

5. Why can't I see performance improvements when I run MacBench with the new Virtual Memory?

6. I sometimes have problems playing Audio CDs with Energy Saver installed. Does the updated Energy Saver control panel fix this?

7. The "About System 7.5.5 Update" document says that I may have to increase the preferred memory size of some applications by 23K. Why?

8. What is different about this new math library?

9. What tips are there to ensure I have a more trouble-free installation of System 7.5.5 Update?

10. Can I install the U.S. version of System 7.5.5 Update on a system which has a non-U.S. version of the system software?

11. Why is there no "custom install" and "custom remove" option for the installer?

12. The installer says "optimizing system for speed" during the installation. What does this mean?

Answer: This is a three-disk set of system software enhancements that delivers improvements in stability and performance improvements for Macintosh and Mac OS-compatible computers. This important update is for all Macintosh and Mac OS-compatible computers running System 7.5.3, and will update a system to System 7.5.5.

2) Question: Who should install System 7.5.5 Update?

Answer: Apple is recommending that any Macintosh or Mac OS-compatible computer with System 7.5.3 install this update.

IMPORTANT: System 7.5.5 Update will not install on PowerBook 1400 computers. The System 7.5.5 Software Installer will not let the upgrade take place. However, PowerBook 1400 owners can install Mac OS 7.6.

3) Question: Should I install System 7.5.5 Update if I do not have System 7.5.3?

Answer: You must have System 7.5.3 in order to install this software. You can tell if you are currently using System 7.5.3 on your system by choosing "About This Macintosh" from the Apple menu. In the top right-hand side of this window will be the system software information. Your system has System 7.5.3 installed if it reads:

System Software 7.5.3

If you have System 7.5, 7.5.1, or 7.5.2, you can update to System 7.5.3 by obtaining System 7.5 Update 2.0. If you have a version earlier than System 7.5, you will need to purchase it from an Apple reseller, or by calling the Apple Order Center. In the U.S. call 800-293-6617.

4) Question: What improvements does System 7.5.5 Update deliver?

Answer: System 7.5.5 Update provides reliability improvements for all systems by eliminating some causes of system freezes and improves the reliability of sharing a printer over the network. In addition, there are a number of improvements which only affect certain models, including:

• More reliable use of the floppy drive on DOS-compatible systems
• Improved floppy formatting and better reliability during system startup for high performance (180MHz or higher) 604 or 604e microprocessor-based systems
• Improvements in the reliability of the remote control included with the Apple TV tuner and Macintosh TV
• The elimination of a cause of Type 11 errors on PowerPC-based systems
• More trouble-free networking with the 5400 and 6400 series systems
• Improvements in data integrity when accessing a 5400 series system over the network
• More reliable use of sound-intensive applications for Macintosh Quadra and Centris systems which have been updated with the Apple Power Macintosh Upgrade Card.
• A revised Energy Saver control panel which removes references to the EnergyStar program.

However, this improvement will vary greatly depending on the amount of RAM installed in the system , the amount of virtual memory allocated, and the applications being used. A revised Code Fragment Manager enables some large PowerPC-native applications to launch faster, while enabling some applications to be launched in low-memory situations. The Universal System Folder, which let customers with System 7.5.3 create a single system folder on an external hard disk or removable-media drive and use it to boot up everything from Macintosh Plus to a Power Macintosh 9500, has been enhanced to support the latest Apple computers, including the Apple Macintosh 5400 and 6400 series.

5) Question: Why can't I see performance improvements when I run MacBench with the new Virtual Memory?

Answer: The performance measurements made in MacBench do not measure the particular type of performance improvements delivered with System 7.5.5 Update. Other bench marking programs also may not measure these particular performance improvements.

6) Question: I sometimes have problems playing Audio CDs with Energy Saver installed. Does the updated Energy Saver control panel fix this?

Answer: On some occasions when playing an Audio CD on a Macintosh with Energy Saver installed, the CD will play for a while and them stop, resetting to track 1 and time 0:00. This problem is caused by the Energy Saver control panel and will be fixed in a future system update. This can affect all PCI-based Power Macintosh computers. The problem can be avoided by opening the Energy Saver control panel, deselecting "Shutdown instead of Sleep", and then closing the Energy Saver control panel.

7) Question: The "About System 7.5.5 Update" document says that I may have to increase the preferred memory size of some applications by 23K. Why?

Answer: System 7.5.5 Update includes a new library of mathematical routines. Certain applications which use this library may require 23K additional memory in order to run. You do not need to change the preferred memory size of every application you use. Only change the preferred memory size for applications which report an insufficient memory message when you try to launch them.

8) Question: What is different about this new math library?

Answer: This library includes more efficient routines for calculating certain mathematical functions. You may see a slight performance increase when using applications that use these improved mathematical routines.

9) Question: What tips are there to ensure I have a more trouble-free installation of System 7.5.5 Update?

Answer: It is very important to read the "About System 7.5.5 Update" document which comes with the update, and follow the directions on installing System 7.5.5 Update.

In general, it is best to not to rename or move files around within your System Folder. The System 7.5.5 Update Installer makes some assumptions that certain files will be in certain places, and if these files are moved or renamed, files that System 7.5.5 Update installs could be placed in the wrong place, or not installed at all.

10) Question: Can I install the U.S. version of System 7.5.5 Update on a system which has a non-U.S. version of the system software?

Answer: No.

11) Question: Why is there no "custom install" and "custom remove" option for the installer?

Answer: System 7.5.5 Update only updates the existing installed components on your computer. It does not add functionality. These updates are necessary to ensure your computer is operating optimally based on your installed configuration. A custom install option is only available when an installation provides new features that you may not wish to install, such as those found in System 7.5.3. Because System 7.5.5 Update adds no new features to your computer, the custom install and custom remove options are not provided.

12) Question: The installer says "optimizing system for speed" during the installation. What does this mean?

Answer: Some resources installed in your System file by System 7.5.5 Update are compressed. The installer expands these resources to increase system performance.