PCMCIA Expansion Module: Can Read DOS Formatted Volumes

I have noticed that many storage PCMCIA cards (PC Cards) are formatted for use with DOS systems. Is it possible to use these PC Cards with my PowerBook 500 series computer and Apple PCMCIA Expansion Module?
Most storage PCMCIA cards (PC Cards) are pre-formatted as DOS volumes. PowerBook 500 series computers have the ability to mount these volumes thanks to the Macintosh PC Exchange software that ships with every PowerBook.

For correct results, it is necessary to use PC Exchange version 2.0.2 or greater. To install a newer version of Macintosh PC Exchange, drag the PC Exchange icon into the Control Panels folder of your System Folder and click "OK" to overwrite the older version of PC Exchange. Restart your Macintosh.

Note: While you can use PC Exchange to read and write data from/to DOS volumes and erase data from PC cards, it cannot be used to alter the format of a PC Card (from DOS to Macintosh or vice versa). If you wish to change a DOS-format card to a Macintosh format, simply turn PC Exchange off (open the PC Exchange control panel and select the Off option) and then reinsert the PC card. You will then be prompted to reformat the PC card as a Macintosh volume. Once the PC card is reformatted, you can turn PC Exchange back on from the control panel.

Macintosh PC Exchange will not allow you to reformat a Macintosh-format PC card as a DOS-format PC card. To do so you should use a DOS/Windows computer.

A note on Ministor PC Cards:
Some PC Cards from Ministor contain factory-installed compression software that is specific to DOS/Windows computers. This compression software consumes usable disk space and should be deleted for use with PowerBook computers. Select the Erase Disk command from the Finder's Special menu in order to delete this software.

Published Date: Feb 19, 2012