Recent releases from Apple have generated compatibility issues for a number of applications, including those that incorporate PACE technology. PACE’s new releases of InterLok, InterLok Pro and the USB Floppy Enabler address these issues.

Description:
PACE’s USB Floppy Enabler is a system extension that emulates the Sony diskette drive interface, making supported third-party external USB floppy drives work with software products that make direct use of that interface. As with version 2.0, this release fixes all compatibility issues between PACE’s InterLok software and Apple’s Power Macintosh G4 machines, and any “ROM-in-RAM” machine running Mac OS 9.

Who Needs the Enabler?

• End users of software products protected with InterLok who are using one or more of the following Apple computer systems:
  • Power Macintosh G4
  • All “ROM-in-RAM” machines running Macintosh OS 9 including:
    • iMac
    • iBook
    • Bronze keyboard G3 PowerBook
    • G3 Blue and White

  
  

• Any software developer who uses InterLok or InterLok Pro for Macintosh.
• Anyone on a USB-based Macintosh who is using a software package that makes direct use of the Sony diskette drive interface.

PACE developed the USB Floppy Enabler in response to the needs of customers using our InterLok® anti-piracy products, a fifth generation tool set for protecting, distributing and selling software. The enabler will also work with other developers’ software programs and we are making it available free of charge to all end users. If you are a software publisher or distributor, you can obtain a license for bundling the enabler with your products and for distributing it from your web site by contacting PACE Sales at (408) 297-7444 x1.

When is PACE’s USB Floppy Enabler Likely to Be Needed?
A number of compatibility issues exist between certain software and floppyless Macintosh computers. Any software package that accesses the Sony floppy driver directly may have problems on Power Macintosh G4 computers and G3 computers that have no floppy drive, even when a USB floppy is installed. Affected software products include installer packages, diskette-based copy protection systems, disk repair utilities, and disk duplication software.

If you are a developer that uses InterLok to protect your products, version 2.0 or greater of the USB Floppy Enabler is critical. This version fixes all compatibility issues between InterLok and the above-listed computers. New versions of InterLok and InterLok Pro for Macintosh are also available for download, both of which fix the new compatibility problems. Software packages incorporating the new versions of InterLok will not require the PACE USB Floppy Enabler to overcome G4/G3-OS 9 compatibility issues. However, the Enabler may still be needed to support key diskette requirements.

Compatible Hardware:
Version 2.1 of the USB Floppy Enabler supports the following USB floppy drives:

• Imation’s SuperDisk
  If you are using the USB Floppy Enabler with an Imation SuperDisk, be sure that you have installed the latest SuperDisk drivers and firmware. To download the latest drivers and firmware, click here.
• Newer Technology’s uDrive

PACE is working with other USB drive manufacturers to ensure broad compatibility. However, we are not able at this time to publicize the new devices that we work with until the manufacturers release updated firmware and driver software. If you are unsure whether the enabler supports your drive hardware, please contact the drive vendor directly.

If you are running Mac OS 9 you may need to download the latest drivers from the drive manufacturer. Please do not contact PACE regarding drive hardware compatibility. Although we have ongoing relationships with most USB floppy hardware vendors, we do not have information regarding the availability or versions of compatible vendor firmware and drivers.

Note: The enabler will only install on USB-based Power Macintosh computers.

What Our Customers Say:
“PACE's InterLok technology has been successfully protecting our Japanese font products for nearly ten years. The floppyless PowerMac machines presented us with a unique situation that called for an innovative solution. PACE's innovation has averted a major re-engineering expense and will help us provide uninterrupted distribution of our Japanese font products.”

Read Our Press Release:
pr10.html

Download USB Floppy Enabler:
hm_dlusbdriverf.html