MAE, Solaris 2.3 or Later: PC, UNIX Floppy Do Not Work (5/96)

On my SPARCStation with Solaris 2.3 and Patch 101318-75, prior to installing the Macintosh Application Environment (MAE), I could insert PC or UNIX floppy disks and the File Manager appears when checking for the floppy. Macintosh floppy disks were not acknowledged by the Volume Manager.

After installing MAE, however, the File Manager no longer launches for my PC and UNIX floppy disks, but it will now, for Macintosh floppy disks. How can I have all of these floppy disks available to File Manager?
This issue may occur on all version of Solaris 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5, however, it is not always manifested. If this issue occurs, below is the solution.

MAE initially required JumboKernel Patch 101318-59. Sun's new release affects the Volume Manager. The volume manager uses /etc/rmmount.conf to handle removable media, and then feeds it back to vold.conf. Depending on the location of the entry for macfs, the Volume Manager will ignore PC/UNIX floppy disks.

Examples of Solaris 2.3 or later /etc/rmmount.conf:

This one will NOT work
----------------------
sparc10% cat /etc/rmmount.conf
# @(#)rmmount.conf 1.2 92/09/23 SMI
#
# Removable Media Mounter configuration file.
#

# File system identification
ident hsfs ident_hsfs.so cdrom
ident ufs ident_ufs.so cdrom floppy
ident pcfs ident_pcfs.so floppy
ident macfs ident_macfs.so floppy

# Actions
action floppy action_macfs.so <- Notice this is the MAE entry
action cdrom action_filemgr.so
action floppy action_filemgr.so


This one WILL work
------------------
sparc10% cat /etc/rmmount.conf
# @(#)rmmount.conf 1.2 92/09/23 SMI
#
# Removable Media Mounter configuration file.
#
# Modified by MH
#

# File system identification
ident hsfs ident_hsfs.so cdrom
ident ufs ident_ufs.so cdrom floppy
ident pcfs ident_pcfs.so floppy
ident macfs ident_macfs.so floppy

# Actions
action cdrom action_filemgr.so
action floppy action_filemgr.so
action floppy action_macfs.so <- New Location
EOF

NOTE: With the new location of the action_macfs.so entry, both PC/UNIX floppies and Macintosh floppy disks will work properly.
Copyright 1996, Apple Computer, Inc.


Article Change History:
14 May 1996 - Updated for Solaris 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5.



Published Date: Feb 18, 2012