Re: Can I have HFS on GS ?

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Paul G <gavp@gis.net> wrote:

> Is it possible to have HFS on GS or MFS ??

I assume your question is "Is it possible to access HFS or MFS disks on
an Apple IIgs?".

There are several options for HFS:

- The HFS File System Translator that is part of IIgs System Software
6.0 or 6.0.1.

This gives full read/write access to HFS volumes, and is able to support
floppies and hard drive partitions (including ZIP disks).

- Freeware utilities such as AFX or HFSLink, which run under ProDOS-8,
and are able to provide limited read-only access to HFS disks.

There is also an older freeware utility which can read MFS volumes.  I
can't remember its name off the top of my head - something like
MacTransGS?  It also runs under ProDOS-8.

The System 6.0.1 HFS FST is the best option, as it gives you read/write
access.  There are a few complications, however:

1. You cannot boot a IIgs from an HFS volume.

2. You need to boot from a hard drive to be able to fit the HFS FST on
your system disk.

3. The FST's implementation of HFS is buggy.  There was a bug fix which
corrects the most serious problem (miscalculated block numbers).  I
don't have the details on hand, but I think this problem only affected
large volumes (e.g. hard drive partitions).

4. ProDOS-8 applications cannot access HFS disks (except in the case of
special utilities like AFX and HFSLink, and they are read-only).

5. The HFS implementation seems to be even slower than ProDOS.  It takes
a considerable amount of time to work out what it wants to do on a large
hard drive, e.g. when copying lots of files.

6. If you want to access high density (1.44MB) or "PC compatible"
(720KB) HFS floppies, you need a SuperDrive with SuperDrive controller,
or some other drive able to handle these formats.  A stock IIgs will
only be able to handle double density 800K HFS floppies.


Don't forget that you also have the option of reading and writing ProDOS
volumes on the Mac if it is running System 7.5 or later with PC Exchange
installed.  This might be an easier option.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand