SyQuest Removable Cartridges are 100% physically and electrically compatible with every SyQuest cartridge of the same capacity, allowing users to interchange cartridges between systems. However, some users of SyQuest Removable Cartridge Drives do occasionally encounter difficulty reading or writing cartridges that were written on a different system.
There is a generic problem with removable storage devices used on IBM PC or Macintosh computers since, with the exception of floppy disks, removable storage is not yet supported by the operating system vendors. The system integrator provides a proprietary software device driver which enables the operating system software to recognize the drive, the removable cartridge and the logical format. The logical format must be identical from system to system to guarantee cartridges will be interchangeable. Since there are at least 20 integrators reselling SyQuest drives and cartridges in storage subsystems for the Macintosh aftermarket and not all of their software drivers have compatible logical formats, users sometime encounter difficulty interchanging cartridges.
To get around this problem, SyQuest recommends "SCSIProbe", a utility program written by Robert Polic. SyQuest has licensed this version of SCSIProbe and provides it at no cost. This is an excellent solution because it simply replaces the driver in memory with the correct driver off the cartridge.
SCSIProbe will help you resolve most of the problems that you might encounter exchanging SyQuest cartridges. The following may be helpful if you encounter difficulty:
Tips on using SCSIProbe:
SyQuest SCSIProbe will load the software device driver that is on the cartridge. Consequently, if the device driver is not compatible with the operating system you are using, you could still have problems even though you are using SCSIProbe.
The only way to ensure your device driver is compatible with your operating system is to ask the vendor who supplied it since the driver is a hidden file located on the boot blocks of your formatted cartridge. If you are using an old version of a software device driver, you may need to upgrade your driver when you upgrade your operating system.
The software utility that came with your system, which you use to format cartridges, should install a copy of the device driver on the cartridge. If the driver is not present the cartridge will not work properly with or without SCSIProbe. If SCSIProbe will not mount a cartridge, try restarting the system. If the cartridge will not mount now, chances are it will not mount with SCSIProbe and the driver may not be present on the cartridge.
SCSIProbe works best when it works alone! If there are other active INITs (extensions in System 7.0 and above) that could be used to mount cartridges, these INITs may conflict with SCSIProbe and prevent it from working properly. Before reporting a problem, disable other INITs.
When formatting a cartridge that will be used to transport files to another system, use the less complex formatting options, usually the default setting. Some vendors provide utilities with options that allow formatting the disk with multiple partitions or password protection schemes. These disks usually are unreadable on systems without the identical software installed on both systems.
Be sure the cartridge has been formatted properly. Some software drivers give the impression they are formatting when a blank cartridge is inserted into the Macintosh. However, it may not be! When in doubt, refer to your software manual or call the software vendor's technical support line for assistance.
Please note:
- SCSIProbe will not mount MS-DOS disks.
- SCSIProbe will not mount password protected cartridges.
- SCSIProbe will not mount ProDosTM cartridges.
- Apple's "PCExchange" and Dana's "DOS Mounter" require extra software to work with SyQuest cartridges.
MS-DOS cartridges may be used on the Macintosh but you have to use software supplied by either SoftWare Architects, Inc. (206/487-0122) or Insignia Solutions (800/848-7677) to mount them.
Just a note about MS-DOS mounting: when attempting to use either AccessPC or Formatter 5/DOS Mounter, disable SCSIProbe and reboot without a cartridge in the drive, then install the MS-DOS cartridge. If you have installed the package correctly, it will auto mount.
SyQuest SCSIProbe has been written to comply with all present and anticipated Macintosh standards. If you encounter problems, please report the problem to SyQuest and to the vendor who supplied the software device driver/formatting utility.
To report a bug, send a fax, E-mail or letter describing your problem along with a list of your INITs ("extension" on System 7), control panel devices, version and vendor of the formatting software you are using and your return address and daytime telephone number to:
SyQuest Technology Inc.
c/o SCSI Problems
Technical Support
47071 Bayside Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
510/226-4102 FAX
AppleLink D6055
America OnLine "RedPat"
510/656-0473 BBS
SCSI Probe 3.5 has the following inprovements:
• Improved mounting routines (now only mounts volumes not mounted - fixes a
problem with audio CDs being reset).
• Improves driver closing routines - only attempts to unload removable-media HD
drivers.
• True support for Volume V partitioning.
• View buses independantly on Macs that support more than one bus (Quadra 9xx,
