Performa 640, LC 630 DOS Compatible: Error 003 and 005

When attempting to use the program, PRO_ORG.EXE (which is installed during the Sound Blaster installation) on a Macintosh Performa 640 DOS Compatible computer, you may get an error stating, "Error 003: Hardware Testing Fails." The Macintosh LC 630 DOS Compatible displays a similar error, "Error 005: Hardware Testing Fails" when using this program as well.
The Macintosh Performa 640 and LC 630 DOS Compatible computers use the Cyrix 486 DX2 Processor in the DOS Environment. With this processor, the computer has a Write Back feature enabled in the AUTOEXEC.BAT with the line:

C:\\APPLE\\WB.EXE \\

This allows the processor to write to the hard drive in the background while the user is performing other tasks.

However, the PRO_ORG.EXE program appears not to be compatible with the Write Back feature, which causes these errors. You should contact the developer of Sound Blaster, Creative Labs, for additional information.

In the interim, the workaround is to disable the Write Back feature, which may decrease performance.

To disable the Write Back feature, follow these steps:


Note: PC Setup 1.5 enables the Write Back feature and offers no way to turn it off. Apple is investigating a solution to the issue for those who need the use of the FM Pro Organ. This can also affect Power Macintosh 6100 computers with the DOS Compatibility Card.
Published Date: Feb 19, 2012