Mac ARA: PowerBook Model 540c Hangs When Downloading Resources

When you connect to a Mail for AppleTalk server via Apple Remote Access (ARA) with the PowerBook model 540c, you may see the following message(s) when resources are downloaded from the server: This error will occur regardless of the number of names in the ALL list, the presence or absence of forms, and the amount of free memory and disk space available.

The PowerBook 540c is controlled in part by a Control Panel named POWERBOOK.

There are three options designed to conserve power when the machine is away from an AC source. These options are exposed when the slider switch is moved from Easy to Custom.

One of these options is Screen Dims, which sets the time before the monitor fades to its conservation setting. When the Screen Dimming option is in any position other than Never, the 540c will hang when downloading resources via ARA. The hang will occur as the screen dim occurs.

This issue has been resolved in Macintosh System version 7.5.1. Please contact Apple for additional information or for obtaining the upgrade.

If you can not upgrade to Macintosh System version 7.5.1, you can make sure Screen Dims is always set to Never when you work with the Mail client. Activate the PowerBook Control Panel, and slide the toggle switch from Easy to Custom. In the Minutes Until: section, slide the Screen Dims Switch to Never.

The adjusted setting will allow the resource download operation to complete, but it may come at the price of taxing the battery, specifically when you download a large address list. It is advisable to have the PowerBook model 540c connected to an AC power when you are away from the office when you download mail resources, and to make sure the battery is fully charged before you run this operation if an AC power source is not available.