AFE: Remove ProDOS or MS-DOS File System Before Translating

Is there a problem using Apple File Exchange with Works-Works Transporter v2.0 and the ProDOS File System INIT that comes with the Apple IIe Card used on the Macintosh LC?

I have a Macintosh LC and I want to convert AppleWorks files to Microsoft Works files. I can't do this when the ProDOS File System INIT is in the System Folder. When in AFE, I can go to the menu and highlight AppleWorks to Microsoft Works as the translation, but it won't accept it. It appears to accept it, but only translates in the default mode. If the ProDOS File System INIT is taken out of the System Folder, AFE with Works-Works Transporter works fine.
Apple File Exchange incorrectly assumes that the volumes it locates are Macintosh-readable. It isn't an issue with the Works-Works Transporter.

When AFE looks for the available volumes, it checks for the type of volume. When it finds a volume format not Macintosh-readable (that is, ProDOS or MS-DOS), then AFE displays an appropriate set of "to/from" menus for the volume format located.

The ProDOS File System INIT causes AFE to assume that the volume is Macintosh readable. Therefore, the volume doesn't appear to need translation from another operating system format. The same is true of similar INITs for MS-DOS volumes, such as AccessPC and DOSmounter.

The Macintosh foreign file system tools allow mounting the ProDOS and MS-DOS volumes on the Macintosh desktop. The INITs are the code segments that make this possible. When a volume is mountable on the Macintosh desktop, AFE considers it a Macintosh readable volume. This is an incorrect assumption for AFE to make.

Until Apple File Exchange is revised to allow mounting other volume formats on the Macintosh desktop, the only method of using AFE translation (beyondthe text-to-text mode) is to remove the ProDOS or MS-DOS file system INIT from the System Folder and restart the Macintosh. Then use AFE to perform the translation. To have the ProDOS or MS-DOS volume mountable on the desktop again, replace the file system INIT in the System Folder, and restart the Macintosh.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012