The Apple Network Server was designed to run Harpoon, Apple’s AIX-based Unix, but its Power Macintosh 9500 roots and recovered preproduction ROM make it possible to boot classic Mac OS as well. That ROM preserves AIX booting and L2-cache support, unlike a later Mac OS ROM, but initially lacks working onboard video and MACE Ethernet and can fail on restart. The author’s first software release addresses those problems, enabling onboard graphics, Ethernet and reliable Mac OS restarts while retaining the machine’s original AIX capability. The setup uses the 1.1.20.1 preproduction ROM, Mac OS installed on an external SCSI disk, and, depending on the installation method, a compatible PCI video card and bootable CD. Mac OS versions through 9.1 can boot directly; the author recommends 8.1 or later.
The technical explanation focuses on how PCI Power Macs load device drivers, and why the fixes can be implemented as native extensions. Classic Mac OS relied heavily on 68K drivers, while Apple’s unfinished Copland project introduced PowerPC-native drivers linked to a hardware abstraction layer and a Name Registry. Elements of that architecture carried into PCI-era Macs: Open Firmware builds a device tree, ROM code registers devices, and matching native drivers in the Extensions folder can load early in startup. The ANS’s registry includes not only PCI cards but also onboard components such as its processor, cache, SCSI, sound and Ethernet hardware. This framework provides the means to address the ROM’s missing support in software rather than changing the hardware or giving up AIX compatibility.
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More than 300 Boston Dynamics employees urged executives to stop a deal supplying ICE with modified robot dogs, citing risks to the company and its workers. Executives stood by the sale, saying the robots would not be weaponized. (arstechnica.com)
Micron Taiwan’s new labor agreement raises pay for more than 80% of employees, with production workers’ annual salaries increasing from NT$630,000 to over NT$2 million. It also boosts employer pension contributions to 10% and triples day-shift allowances for production workers. (ec.ltn.com.tw)
Boston Dynamics employees petitioned the company to cancel a $1.3 million ICE contract for four Spot robot dogs and related technology. ICE says the robots will help assess dangerous scenes before agents enter, while workers argue the sale damages the company’s reputation. (wbur.org)
Linux 7.4 adds initial support for Apple’s M4 and A18 Pro chips, enough to boot and display a console, while most hardware features remain unsupported. The kernel also adds support for Google Tensor G5, Qualcomm chips and boards, and Valve’s Steam Frame headset. (phoronix.com)
AI coding tools are making it easier for hobbyists to modify smart TVs and revive abandoned gadgets, including removing ads and replacing outdated interfaces. These changes can improve old devices but also introduce security and reliability risks. (zdnet.com)
Intel agreed to acquire quantum software company Classiq, combining its synthesis platform with Intel’s spin-qubit hardware and software. The deal aims to create an accessible, full-stack quantum computing platform that can scale toward mainstream use. (intc.com)
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