This article includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series computers.
Questions in this FAQ:
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1) What are the memory and VRAM expansion capabilities of the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200?
2) When I put a CD-ROM disc into my CD-ROM drive I get a message stating, "This disk is unreadable by this Macintosh. Do you want to initialize the disk?" What does this message mean?
3) I read that there is a flaw in some 603 processors and that there is diagnostic software to check our computers. Where can I find this software?
4) Is the GeoPort Telecom Adapter compatible with the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200?
5) Will the DOS Compatibility Card work in the PDS slot of the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series computers?
6) Why do some benchmark utilities report false information about the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series computers?
7) Is there a Level-2 cache card installed in these computers?
8) What kind of hard drive is included? How do I reformat this drive?
9) Can I upgrade my Macintosh Performa 5200 or 6200 computer to a Macintosh Performa 5300 or 6300 computer?
10) Every time I start up my computer I get a message stating that QuickTime installation has failed because QuickTime was already installed. Why does this message appear at startup?
11) When I try to install English Speech Recognition (ESR) on my Macintosh Performa 6200 or 5200 series computer, I get an error message stating that English Speech Recognition requires 16-bit sound input, and that it cannot be used on this Macintosh. What can I do to install this software?
12) I am unable to use any type of external serial device with the modem serial port. Why is this?
13) I get the following message, "Telephone manager 2.0 (or later) is required. Please install this software before launching," when I try to use MegaPhone. What is happening?
14) I cannot hear the dial tone or the other caller when making a call with Megaphone. What should I do?
15) Question: Can I upgrade my Global Village Gold IIv 14.4 Kbps modem to 28.8 Kbps? Does Apple sell a replacement modem?
1) Question: What are the memory and VRAM expansion capabilities of the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200?
Answer: These computers do not have memory soldered on the logic board; all memory is placed in two 72-pin SIMM slots. Memory can be installed in one or both slots using 4, 8, 16 or 32 MB SIMMs. Most configurations shipped with a single 8 MB or 16 MB SIMM in one of the slots. The Power Macintosh 5200 can address up to 64 MB of RAM.
The Performa 5200 and 6200 series, and the Power Macintosh 5200/75 do not use VRAM. These computers store video data in a 1 MB DRAM frame buffer (separate from RAM) and no further video memory expansion is supported.
If you want greater color depth or screen resolution, you can install a third-party video card in the processor-direct slot and attach a second monitor.
2) Question: When I put a CD-ROM disc into my CD-ROM drive I get a message stating, "This disk is unreadable by this Macintosh. Do you want to initialize the disk?" What does this message mean?
Answer: When the CD-ROM drive does not recognize a particular type of CD, this indicates the CD-ROM software is not properly installed or is missing certain files. In some cases, one or several of the CD-ROM "Access" files may be damaged or a third-party extension or control panel may be conflicting with the CD-ROM software.
See the Tech Info Library article, "CD-ROM: "This disk is unreadable" Message" for the troubleshooting steps you should take to resolve this issue.
3) Question: I read that there is a flaw in some 603 processors and that there is diagnostic software to check our computers. Where can I find this software on eWorld.
Answer: The 52XX/62XX Diagnostic Utility is posted to Apple online services
This utility is considered 100% accurate. If your computer fails the test, please contact the Apple Assistance Center at 800-SOS-APPL to investigate your service options.
4) Question: Is the GeoPort Telecom Adapter compatible with the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200?
Answer: The GeoPort Telecom Adapter is not compatible with the Power Macintosh 5200 series. As the Power Macintosh 5200's target audience is the K-12 education channels, support for the GeoPort Telecom Adapter was not part of the requested feature set.
5) Question: Will the DOS Compatibility Card work in the PDS slot of the 5200 series computers?
Answer: No, the DOS Compatibility Card for the Power Macintosh 6100 does not work in Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series computers.
6) Question: Why do some benchmark utilities report false information about the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series computers?
Answer: Each time Apple Computer releases a new computer, third-party diagnostic utilities which provide benchmark information may not have the data for the new computer. Contact the manufacturer of your diagnostic software for additional information on obtaining an updated version of their software.
7) Question: Is there a Level-2 cache card installed in these computers?
Answer: Yes, a 256k level-2 cache card comes pre-installed on these computers. The level-2 cache card not only functions as a 256k level-2 cache, but contains these computers' ROM set, as well. For this reason, third party level-2 cache cards are not compatible with the Power Macintosh 5200. At this time, Apple does not plan on releasing a larger level-2 cache for the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series.
8) Question: What kind of hard drive is included in these computers? How do I reformat this drive?
Answer: The Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 series computers contain hard drives based on the IDE interface. Apple's implementation of the IDE Interface supports IDE and Enhanced IDE drives. If replacing the internal hard drive with a third-party IDE drive, the replacement IDE drive must support Logical Block Addressing (LBA).
To reformat the IDE drive, you should use the Internal HD Format Utility; if it does not work, use the Drive Setup Utility instead, which is available on the online services. You cannot use Apple HD SC Setup to check the internal IDE hard drive.
9) Question: Can I upgrade my Macintosh Performa 5200 or 6200 computer to a Macintosh Performa 5300 or 6300 computer?
Answer: The 5300/6300 Logic Board Upgrade (M4447LL/A) is available for the Macintosh Performa 5200 and 6200 family of computers.
10) Question: Every time I start up my computer I get a message stating that QuickTime installation has failed because QuickTime was already installed. Why does this message appear at startup?
Answer: This message is caused by having two copies of the QuickTime extension in your System Folder. See the Tech Info Library article, "QuickTime Installation Failed Message at Startup," to resolve this particular issue.
11) Question: When I try to install English Speech Recognition (ESR) on my Macintosh Performa 6200 or 5200 series computer, I get an error message stating that English Speech Recognition requires 16-bit sound input, and that it cannot be used on this Macintosh. What can I do to install this software?
Answer: Using the ESR 1.4.1 installer you can customize the installation and successfully install the PlainTalk software. For detailed instructions, follow the steps given in the Tech Info Library article "Plaintalk 1.4.1: Can't Install Recognition on 8-bit Mac."
12) Question: I am unable to use any type of external serial device with the modem serial port. Why is this?
Answer: The presence of the internal modem disables the modem serial port. See the Tech Info Library article, "Macintosh Performa 5200/6200: Modem Serial Port Disabled", for more details.
There are several possible workarounds:
- Consider connecting your serial device to the printer port. If you already have a printer, you might want to investigate a switch box (also referred to as an A/B box) to share the port between the two devices. You would still only be able to use one device at a time, but this would reduce the wear and tear on your connectors by continually reseating the connections.
NOTE: Using a switch box is not tested or supported by Apple. If you choose to use one, contact the switch box manufacturer for compatibility information and technical assistance.
- Instead of using a switch box, you could also use a serial card. Such a card would need to be connected to the processor-direct slot in the computer, and it would provide you with additional serial connections.
- Alternatively, you can remove both the modem card and the plastic cover over the modem port. Instructions for installing a card into the communications slot are included in the Macintosh Performa User's Guide. You can follow these instructions for removing the internal modem. Although such cards are typically user-installable, you may want to contact an Apple-authorized service provider for assistance with this procedure.
NOTE: Any damage caused by the addition or removal of the modem is NOT covered under the warranty.
13) Question: I get the following message, "Telephone manager 2.0 (or later) is required. Please install this software before launching," when I try to use MegaPhone. What is happening?
Answer: MegaPhone installs various invisible resources into the System file. If the System suitcase is damaged or had been replaced these resources are no longer available. See the Tech Info Library article, "MegaPhone for Performa: Telephone Manager Required Message," to resolve this issue.
14) Question: I cannot hear the dial tone or the other caller when making a call with Megaphone. What should I do?
Answer: This can occur if the External CD Sound Extension has been installed or if the Internal Modem Sound extension has been removed or disabled. However, if you have a Macintosh Performa 5300 or 6300 series computer, then you should verify that the Audio Volume extension has not been removed. This extension replaces the Internal Modem Sound extension.
The External CD Sound extension allows you to connect an external CD-ROM player and play audio CD-ROM discs through the internal speaker. The Internal Modem Sound extension needs to be in the Extensions folder for MegaPhone to work properly. See the Tech Info Library article, "Megaphone: Caller Hears Me, I Can't Hear Them ," to resolve this issue.
15) Question: Can I upgrade my Global Village Gold IIv 14.4 Kbps modem to 28.8 Kbps? Does Apple sell a replacement modem?
Answer: The internal modem cannot be upgraded to 28.8 Kbps, but it may be possible to replace it with an internal 28.8 Kbps modem.
A variant of the Global Village Platinum modem is bundled with the Macintosh Performa 6300 computer. This is an internal 28.8 Kbps modem which is also capable of voice throughput. As of the modification date of this article, Global Village does not offer this 28.8 internal modem separately. Contact Global Village to see what their current plans are.
Apple is not aware of other third-party manufacturers that offer a 28.8 Kbps internal modem. Apple does not sell a replacement modem for the Macintosh 5200 or 6200 series computers.
If you cannot locate a suitable internal 28.8 Kbps modem, another option you may consider is to remove your existing internal modem. This re-enables the modem port on the back of your computer for use with an external 28.8 Kbps modem.
These articles can help you locate the software update mentioned here:
• "Where To Find Apple Software Updates" - Lists online services for free Apple software updates.
• "Obtaining Apple Product Support in the USA" - Lists 800 numbers and online services for software updates, Apple support information, and a subset of the Apple Tech Info Library.
Article Change History:
06 Jun 1996 - Modified upgrade availability information.
19 Feb 1996 - Added information on VRAM to question #1.
23 Jan 1996 - Updated upgrade information and technical information.
