Information About Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility.

Background

The Mac OS File Manager is responsible for handling all file access. Starting with Mac OS 9, the File Manager supports files larger than 2 GB on HFS Plus disks and supports up to 8,169 open files. To support more open files, it was necessary to require a different method for programs to get information about open files. Programs using the old method will cause a system error. This change did not affect all programs because most programs do not need information about open files. The class of programs most affected are utilities.

Applications that create, read, or modify large files will need to be updated to handle files larger than 2 GB. Most disk utilities will need to be updated to handle large files. Many applications are not intended to handle multi-gigabyte files and may never be updated. Not supporting files larger than 2 GB is not an incompatibility with Mac OS 9.

About Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility

Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility is a slightly polished version of a utility that Alsoft used for compatibility testing. It is not necessary to use Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility unless you are planning to update to Mac OS 9.

Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility does not contain a database of compatible programs. It determines a program's compatibility by examining the PowerPC code within the program. A few programs are entirely 68000 code or a mix of PowerPC code and 68000 code. The 68000 portions are not tested. Note that this is not the same as "fat" programs that have the entire program in both PowerPC code and 68000 code. Note: Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility does not (and can not) modify the program in any way during examination.

As a result of the examination, programs are given one of the following five classifications:

1) Appears Incompatible - The program accesses information about open files using an incompatible method and does not support files larger than 2 GB. It is important that you contact the publisher to determine compatibility before using this program with the Mac OS 9 File Manager.

2) Possibly Compatible - The program accesses information about open files using both compatible and incompatible methods. Using two methods indicates that some portions of the program are incompatible. The compatibility checker cannot determine whether the incompatible portions are always used or only used with earlier versions of the Mac OS. There is a good chance this program will function correctly with the Mac OS 9 File Manager.

3) Appears Compatible - The program does not support files larger than 2 GB but, if it accesses information about open files, it uses a method that is compatible with the Mac OS 9 File Manager. It should not be necessary to contact the publisher before using this program with the Mac OS 9 File Manager.

4) Savvy - The program uses new Mac OS 9 File Manager features. The program supports files larger than 2 GB and, if it accesses information about open files, uses a method that is compatible with the Mac OS 9 File Manager.

5) Untested - The program contains no PowerPC code so it could not be checked for compatibility.

The minimum versions of Alsoft programs that are compatible with the Mac OS 9 File Manager:

PlusMaker(TM) 1.0.3
PlusMaximizer(TM) 1.0
PlusOptimizer(TM) 1.2
DiskWarrior® 1.0 (DiskWarrior 1.1 is Mac OS 9 File Manager Savvy)
MasterJuggler® Pro 2.0.3
DiskExpress® Pro 3.0.3
MultiDisk(TM) 1.4

Instructions

Open Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility then choose a disk, folder or program to scan for compatibility. If a disk or folder is chosen then all of the programs within the disk or folder will be examined.

When the examination is complete, a report is created that contains the results of the examination. The report is an HTML document that can be read with a web browser. Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility will offer to open the report in your web browser.

The report contains the names of program files that were tested and their compatibility status. These names use the Mac character set and are best displayed in the Mac character set. Web browsers default to an ISO character set and some Mac characters (such as "(TM)") aren't in the ISO character set. To change the character set used by Netscape browsers, select "Western (MacRoman)" from the Character Set menu within the View menu. To change the character set used by Microsoft browsers, select "Western (Mac)" from the Character Set menu within the View menu.

License

Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility is free and is courtesy of Alsoft, Inc. It is not to be distributed without the express written consent of Alsoft, Inc.

Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility is provided "AS IS" and you use it at your sole risk.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL ALSOFT, OR ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO CHECK 9 FILE MGR COMPATIBILITY.

Compatibility

Navigation Services

Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility requires Mac OS 8 or later, Navigation Services, and Appearance to run. Navigation Services is part of Mac OS 8.5 and later and can be optionally installed in Mac OS 7.5.5 through 8.1. Power On Software's ACTION Files disables Navigation Services and prevents Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility from running. There are three methods you can use to overcome this situation:

1) Disable the ACTION Files extension.

2) Open the ACTION Utilities control panel, if necessary click the ACTION Files component in the bottom of the control panel window, click the General tab and uncheck Override Navigation Services.

3) Open the ACTION Utilities control panel, if necessary click the ACTION Files component in the bottom of the control panel window, then click the Compatibility tab. The ACTION Files Compatibility panel allows you to enable Navigation Services for specific applications which require Navigation Services. The pop-up that appears in the list for each application contains an option to enable Navigation Services for any individual application. Click the Add button and add Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility to the compatibility list then choose Enable Navigation Services or Disable ACTION Files from the pop-up that appears to right of Check 9 File Mgr Compatibility in the compatibility list.

Original file name: Read Me - converted on Sunday, 24 October 1999, 03:50