1. FD-A2.zip Driver
2. Readme.txt File Contents

Readme.txt Driver File Contents (FD-A2.zip)

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THE FLOPPY DISK ADAPTER FD-A2

 
This file explains the FD-A2 Setup Disk V3.05 for Windows NT4.0.
Please read it very carefully before you use Floppy Disk Adapter
FD-A2 (hereinafter FD-A2).  (February 1999)

=  =  =  [SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS] =  =  =  =  =  =
Computer: IBM PC/AT compatible
(Not run on a computer with Alpha processor, e.g. Compaq AlphaServer series)
(Not run on a computer with Multi CPU system)
CPU: Pentium or better
OS: Windows NT 4.0 SP3 or SP4
Compatible SmartMedia : 5V/3.3V, 2MB to 32MB

  =  =  =  [NOTICE] =  =  =  =  =  =
1) ABOUT FLOPPY DISK DRIVES (FDDS) THAT DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE FD-A2
The FD-A2 cannot be used on the following FDDs, which  have
different interfaces or specifications from that of a normal 1.44MB FDD:
   a) External FDD connected via PCMCIA
   b) High capacity FDD such as HiFD or Super drive
   c) FDD supporting 2.88MB

2) STARTUP DISK
You cannot use the FD-A2 as the Startup disk.
Use the internal hard disk, normal floppy disk, etc. as the Startup disk.
After starting up Windows NT4.0, insert the FD-A2 into the FDD.

3) INSTALL AND UNINSTALL
You will have to be logged in as a Windows NT "Administrator", or as a user 
with "Administrator privileges" in order to BOTH install and uninstall 
"FlashPath for Windows NT".  If the user does not have administrator
privileges, installation will FAIL, with a appropriate error message 
from the FlashPath instllation program.

4) DO NOT USE DATA COMPRESSION SOFTWARE INCLUDING THE DRIVESPACE
Data compression software including the DriveSpace is not applicable to 
the SmartMedia.

5) NETWORK DRIVE
The FD-A2 cannot be used across a network.

6) BRAND OF BATTERY
The battery life will vary depending on different brands.
Based on our tests, Sanyo and Maxell batteries provide the most consistent 
performance with the FD-A2.

7) TERM OF VALIDITY IN BATTERY
Try to use a battery which term of validity is long.
(The Recommended operating limit is normally listed in the back
of the battery case.) A battery, which term of validity is
short may not have enough startup power due to natural discharge,
and its life can sometimes become considerably short. In extreme
cases, a read operation can be executed, while a write operation
cannot be performed. 

8) BATTERY LIFE IN LOW TEMPERATURE
The FD-A2 consumes more electricity when writing than when reading,
and with 5V SmartMedia than with 3.3V SmartMedia.
Especially, in view of the battery characteristics, the battery life
shortens in low temperature.
When you are using a notebook PC with an external FDD in an environment 
of low temperature such as in winter, you may not be able to write in 
about 5 minutes after continuous operation.
Use the external FDD in a sufficiently warm environment.
Even when you are using the FD-A2 in an internal FDD, if the ambient
temperature is low, it is recommended for you to turn on the PC
power in advance and warm up the inside of the PC.

9) NOTICE ABOUT THE DRIVER
Do not pull out or insert the FD-A2 while format utility is being
executed. If this is done, SmartMedia may not be properly formatted.
Also, there is a chance that SmartMedia cannot be used.
Do not pull out or insert the FD-A2 while writing.
A write operation cannot be properly done. Also, there is a chance that
SmartMedia cannot be used.
When a FDD assigned to "Drive B:" is not physically
available, do not format SmartMedia by designating "Drive B:"
in format utility.
When you uninstall the FD-A2 driver, shutdown FlashPath Status
Monitor in advance (when an icon is in the task bar).
When you uninstall before shutdown FlashPath Status Monitor, it will 
not be uninstalled.
After initiating to access the FD-A2 while FlashPath Status Monitor
is not in operation (no icon in the task bar), even if
you start up FlashPath Status Monitor, it will not reflect the
internal condition of the FD-A2.  This is because FlashPath Status
Monitor will detect the first access after the FD-A2 is inserted
into the FDD and start the operation.
Consequently, if you once eject the FD-A2 from the FDD
and try to insert it again, FlashPath Status Monitor
will be able to reflect the internal conditions of the FD-A2.
When an error occurs while writing or reading the FD-A2 with the
application program, check the FD-A2 status by means of
FlashPath Status Monitor.

10) HANDLING NOTICE
To protect the FD-A2, when not in use, store it in the attached
case at all times.
Exercise extra care when you insert or pull out SmartMedia.
When inserting SmartMedia, be sure to face the contact
surface in the opposite direction to the FD-A2's metallic cover
surface.
After using the FD-A2, keep it at all times in the
condition of being taken out of the FDD.
Insert the FD-A2 into the FDD only when you use it.
To prevent the FD-A2 from being damaged,
   a) Do not bend or twist the FD-A2.
   b) Do not drop the FD-A2.
   c) Try not to store it at a hot and humid place.
   d) Try not to store it at a place where dew condensation occurs.

11)  REPLACEMENT OF BATTERY
When replacing the battery (CR2016, 2 cells used), always
replace all two cells at the same time. Also, make sure that
the positive side is facing upward.
To prolong the battery life, insert the FD-A2 into the
FDD only when you use it.
When the FDD is in the out-of-insertion status, power to the FD-A2 is
turned off so that there is no power consumption.
When a low battery power warning comes out in FlashPath Status
Monitor, reading only is temporarily possible. Replace with
a new battery as soon as possible.
When a low battery power warning comes out in FlashPath Status
Monitor, you can not write any data into SmartMedia.
When you have a write operation with the above warning, it sometimes 
appears on the application as if file was written.  Bear in mind,
however, that writing has not actually taken place on SmartMedia.
An example of such application is Word 95, etc.

=  =  =  [TROUBLESHOOTING] =  =  =  =  =  =  =
12) FD-A2 is in the shutdown mode.
Eject the FD-A2 from the FDD and insert it again.

13) FD-A2 is not recognized.
Sometimes, when you insert the FD-A2 into the FDD,
you try to access.  Then recognition of the FD-A2 is not
established and "NOT FORMATTED" is accidentally displayed.  In
many cases, recognition is established when you once eject the
FD-A2 from the FDD and insert it again.
Note that in the following cases, the same phenomenon
occurs:
   a) After inserting the FD-A2 into the FDD,
      without making any access, over 5 minutes have passed and yet
      the FD-A2 is in the shutdown mode.
   b) No battery or the battery ran out completely.
   c) The battery is set up in improper direction. (The proper
      direction is for the battery cover side to be +.)
   d) The FD-A2 driver is incompletely installed. (After
      installing, the system is not restarting.)

14) FORMATTING SmartMedia CANNOT BE EXECUTED
Formatting SmartMedia by using the FD-A2 from PC
cannot be executed.  Format using your own digital camera.
When formatting with the FD-A2, choose
Start - Programs - FlashPath - FlashPath Format.
(This is an example for English version OS.)
 
15) WRITE-PROTECT SEAL
Even if the Write-Protect seal is affixed on SmartMedia, the
Write-Protect is not recognized.
In the FD-A2, even if you affixed the Write-Protect seal on SmartMedia,
Write-Protect is not recognized.  So take care not to
make a mistake of erasing data or overwriting because of this characteristics.

16) FLASHPATH STATUS MONITOR DISAPPEARED FROM THE TASK BAR
With FlashPath Status Monitor window on display, if you click the X
button without clicking the OK button, FlashPath Status Monitor
program operation terminates and the task bar icon disappears.
If you want to start up FlashPath Status Monitor program again,
choose Start - Programs - FlashPath - FlashPath Status.
(Incidentally, if this is left as is, the internal condition
of the FD-A2 may not be reflected in FlashPath Status Monitor.
When it comes to this, refer to [NOTICE] ( NOTICE ABOUT THE DRIVER.)

17) WANT TO DELETE FLASHPATH STATUS MONITOR FROM THE START MENU
When the driver of the FD-A2 is installed, FlashPath Status Monitor
is registered in the Startup menu.  If you want to remove it
from the Start menu, delete FlashPath Status in the
"Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp" on the Explorer.
If you want to activate FlashPath Status Monitor, select
Start - Programs - FlashPath - FlashPath Status.
(Incidentally, if this is left as is, the internal condition
of the FD-A2 may not be reflected in FlashPath Status Monitor.
For more information, see [NOTICE] ( NOTICE ABOUT THE DRIVER.)

18) THE WRITING SPEED IN THE FD-A2 SLOW AS COMPARED TO READING
Unlike ordinary floppy disks, the FD-A2 changes data with SmartMedia
while the driver software and the FD-A2 maintain communication.
Consequently, its reading performance is different from the writing
performance, and writing takes about twice the time it takes
for reading.  So it is not abnormal.



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