This article discusses unreliable performance when copying files to a floppy disk in the PC environment of a Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatible computer.

Keeping in mind that almost all floppy disk read or write issues in the PC environment of the Power Macintosh 6100 DOS Compatible computer are related to either RAM compression programs, or virus checking software. Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Start the computer while pressing and holding the space bar to access the Extensions Manager control panel before extensions and control panels load. In the Sets pop-up menu choose System 7.5 Only. Now select the following additional extensions and control panels below by putting a check mark to the left of each:

Find File Extension
PC Clipboard
PC Print Spooler
PC Setup

Close the Extensions Manager control panel and let the computer finish starting up. Insert a floppy disk and try to read or write from the PC environment. If you are now able to copy or format disks reliably, you may be experiencing an extension or control panel conflict. To determine which extension or control panel is in conflict, use the Extensions Manager control panel and enable the extensions one at a time until your computer exhibits the symptoms you are having. The last extension or control panel added is the conflicting item and should not be used. If this does not resolve the issue continue to the next step.

2. Reset the computers parameter random access memory (PRAM). To do this in System 7 or later, press and hold the command, option, P, and R keys while restarting the computer. Continue pressing these keys until you hear the startup chime a second time, then release the keys. Once the computer has finished its startup process, open the PC Setup control panel. You should receive a dialog indicating the PC software did not load properly, click OK, close the PC Setup control panel, and restart the computer. Insert a floppy disk and try to read or write from the PC environment. If this does not resolve the issue continue to the next step.

3. Create a new PC drive container, and install DOS onto it. Start the PC environment from the new container just created as the C: drive. Insert a floppy disk and try to read or write from the PC environment. If this resolves the issue, use this new container as your C: drive. For help on creating a new drive container, refer to Creating a Drive Container on page 32 of the "DOS Compatibility Card for Macintosh User's Guide." If this does not resolve the issue continue to the next step.

4. Perform a clean installation of the Mac OS software for the Macintosh environment. Also re-install the software from the DOS Compatibility Card installer disk for Macintosh. For assistance, see Installing Macintosh OS Software on page 31 of the "DOS Compatibility Card for Macintosh User's Guide."