Today's Buzz: Iomega Tools 6.0

Reports of problems with Iomega Tools 6.0 continue to be a hot topic here at MacFixIt. Many of the reports arevariations of the issues already reported here, especially copying errors and crashes when using FindIt.

Concerning the issue of getting the updated driver on cartridges, a new Apple Tech Info Library file, titled "Power Macintosh G3: Starting Up From ZIP Cartridges," offers some related information:

Q. I have a Power Macintosh G3 Minitower computer with the Revision II logic board. Why can I not start the computer up from the internal Zip drive with a valid system folder?

A. Power Macintosh G3 computer's, except the Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one, equipped with Revision II logic boards ship with ATAPI Zip drives. These Zip drives require the Iomega 6.0 or later driver, and this driver must also be present on the Zip cartridge itself. Earlier versions of the Iomega driver do not support ATAPI based devices and will not mount the cartridge at startup. If the driver version resident on the cartridge is unknown, choosing the Get Info command under the File menu after clicking on the volume will show the installed version of the Iomega Driver.

The recommended method for creating bootable Zip cartridges involves updating the driver on the cartridge to version 6.0 or later and then performing an installation from the original Power Macintosh G3 restore CD-ROM disc that shipped with your computer. The color of the Revision II Power Macintosh G3 restore CD-ROM disc is blue where as the original Power Macintosh G3 had a white colored CD-ROM disc. Further, it is advisable that within the Iomega Drive Options control panel under Advanced Options accessible through the Special Menu that 'Always update the driver on the disk' radio button be selected." (The TIL file contains additional information.)