MacDrive 7 Problems on XP

I have read, researched and heard about MacDrive 7 from the internet and colleagues. I work at a facility where we use both Macs and Windows, and so do our clients. MacDrive was our solution for software that will help us read and write on any type of Mac formatted drive on our XP systems.

Well, I have a huge problem. I can't even use this program that I purchased. I searched everywhere online for this problem and it appears not many people are having this problem. When I install this program, I am prompted to restart. Normal. When restarted and windows loads, I get the "Blue Screen of Death" within 2 minutes of system boot and load. But when I restore my system to a point previous to my installation of MacDrive 7, my system runs just fine!

If I need to provide any more information to this thread for others to help me better, please let me know. I have contacted MediaFour (creators of MacDrive) and no response yet. It would be ideal to have this problem solved in the next couple of days since I have a client waiting on content. Thanks.

KennethGreen.net
Redefining Fine Art to Fine Wine.

Yeah, I've done that. None of these links/topics actually pinpoint and help my problem though. Most people experiencing the BSOD who have MacDrive installed have found that the MacDrive drivers and application interferes with some programs. Their solution was to uninstall MacDrive so they can continue using the other programs of conflict like the video game Battlefield 2. LOL.

That's why I just posted here. I have a feeling MacDrive may have conflict with another program or driver.

KennethGreen.net
Redefining Fine Art to Fine Wine.

Okay, well I believe I have found the problem. I got a response back from the guys at MacDrive. They said [after reviewing some information I sent them about my computer] that my old version of McAfee Virus Scan could be causing the BSOD and interfering with MacDrive 7.

MacDrive said you can either update McAfee or just uninstall it altogether. So instead of paying for an update, I just uninstalled it. Now I don't get the BSOD [blue screen of death] any more.

I took a while to respond back here just so I can make sure that this was the real problem. I hope this thread helps others out in the future, since MacDrive is such a useful tool.

KennethGreen.net
Redefining Fine Art to Fine Wine.

Here is a useful update from MediaFour. I will act on it and see if I can organise their troubleshooting report if I experience the blue screen after the updates.

FEEDBACK FROM MEDIAFOUR:

Unfortunately, it is necessary to get you to the current version before troubleshooting. You are likely using a very old version (7.0.9 or prior) and it is not feasible for us to provide troubleshooting for this type of issue without updating the software.

Please download and install the current version, 7.2.4:

http://download.mediafour.com/macdrive/

It is possible that you have a problem that has not been resolved. Specifically, ZoneAlarm can cause a problem in some cases. ZoneAlarm contains a component, klif.sys, which is part of Kaspersky AV and is typically present, but outdated, in firewall-only versions of ZoneAlarm. This driver should be updated to the current version, if present.

If you are still encountering difficulty once using 7.2.4, please follow the steps below so that we can identify the cause of your crash.

Please ZIP and email us the minidump files from the date and time of the blue screen(s). This will enable us to see in more detail what occurred on your system. Minidump files are located in the folder C:WindowsMinidump.

(If you are using Vista x64, minidumps are not saved by default. To configure Windows to do so, right-click on "Computer", choose "Properties", choose "Advanced System Settings" from the left task pane, choose the "Advanced" tab, choose "Settings" in the "Startup and Recovery" section, select "Small memory dump (128KB)" from the "System Failure" section, ensure the default "Small dump directory:" of "%SystemRoot%Minidump", click "OK". When the problem occurs again, a minidump will then be created.)

Then, please follow the steps below to download and run the Mediafour System Report (in Windows):

1) Download the System Report from http://download.mediafour.com/support/MediafourSystemReport.exe and "Save" it to your Desktop.

2) Double-click the System Report tool and click "Next" to start the tool. When completed, click "Finished".

3) The tool will generate a .zip file (entitled "Mediafour System Report" plus the date and time) and place it on your Desktop. Please send the ZIP file as an attachment when replying to this email.

* The System Report has been developed by Mediafour for the express purpose of troubleshooting technical support issues. Using this utility will not collect any private, confidential data from your system. The resulting file will be used strictly by Mediafour staff to assist in resolving your technical support case. The file will not be distributed to any third-party without your prior permission.

Here's my 2 cents worth (maybe much more than that) if you want to save yourself problems in the future, especially when you have to update ZoneAlarm, etc : Get another PC/Laptop/Netbook with a Linux OS and preferably an SSD drive.

The advantages -
- Fast startup and shut down. (With my EeePC, typically 30 secs start up, and shutdown in 10 secs, partly owing to the SSD drive, and partly because Linux is such a light weight OS).

- No necessity for ZoneAlarm, Spybot, etc...just one anti-V software that came pre-installed and works without interfering...well there are not as many applications as an XP laptop anyway.

- The Linux desktop can be re-configured to work as a 'Full Desktop' and thereafter looks and works almost like XP on the surface, such that I don't miss XP at all where net activities are concerned.

- Safe as heaven...don't mind saying I've been to some very dicey sites which I would not go to with a Windows OS (no matter what anti-stuff is installed), and came out of them a virgin. Not a spyware, malware, or whatever installed automatically by the sites. PC works just as before the visits. Attackers target Windows because that's where they can rack up the highest score and cause the greatest damage to boost their own image and/or pockets.

- Use XP only for your production or real work; keeping it off the Net keeps it clean and not clogged up which I now believe slows XP's boot-up and shutdown times. I have 4 networked production desktops in the office which are not connected to the Net. Have never been. And after 3 years, they all still bootup in 20+ seconds, and shutdown in about the same. So I believe the Net throws stuff into XP and slows it down. If you are serious about your production PCs, I strongly recommend you do the same.

- Linux is free.

Possible Disadvantages -
- XP updates are not auto. Have to download with Linux PC, transfer over (via USB flash drives), and install manually.

- No Windows applications and utilities. There are shareware programs to emulate Windows in Linux, or creates a virtual Windows, but since this is for Net activities only, I don't need it...and have learned to live without.

Thomas Leong