Re: Best way to make backups of 3.5" disks - copy prog?

[Rich Hare <rhare@mich.com>]

Yes, if need be, buy USED DD disks.
The MEDIA remains fine...
it's only the RECORDING which may fade in time, or become corrupted.

There REALLY IS a difference in the coercivity of the media between DD
and HD disks.  You might get away with it (I've never had a problem) but
if you are trying to do the right thing, DD is the right thing.  (I also
know smokers in fine health.)

btw,
I happen to have an excess of low milage DD disks I could part with, if
you can't find any closer to you than SE Michigan.


Blake Patterson wrote:
> 
>         What is one to do, then??  Buy used DD disks to make "new" copies of
> older disks so they'll last longer??  I wanted to "refresh" my disks by
> making copies now in hopes that these will last longer than the old ones
> will.  The only 3.5" disks I can find are HD disks.  I've been using
> those tonight and have made something like 40 copies so far-and they
> seem to be working.  Should I assume they are not going to last??
> 
>         I would have to imagine that using old, used DD disks is just not the
> best way to do it.  Are there new DD disks that would work better than
> HD disks?  Thanks.
> 
>         Can anyone clarify?
> 
> bp
> 
> Frank Carney wrote:
> >
> > Blake Patterson wrote:
> >
> > >         What's the best way to copy a regular old GS disk that does not have
> > > funky disk copy protection on it?  I was surprised to see that Copy II+
> > > has to have the disk formatted first.  And DiversiCopy does the same.
> > > "ZZ Copy" works quicker, but is it safe??  I do not have photonix.  Just
> > > want to reliably copy a number of regular old GS disks.
> > >
> > >         I bought a 100-pack of Sony HD floppies for $25.  Copying lots of
> > > 14-year old disks to them.  I think the older disks are WAY higher
> > > quality tho.  I assume it's ok to use HD disks.  Will keep the older
> > > disks as backup.  Any comments?
> > >
> > > bp
> > > --
> > > "Heisenberg may have slept here."
> >
> > Are you putting them on another computer then putting them on the new disks?
> >
> > I do not think it would be wise to use newer disks.  They use different amounts
> > of magnetic material and could cause you to lose data.  I would suggest using
> > Shrinkit to make a disk image then send them to another computer.  Then write
> > the disk image as a file to a msdos or mac formatted floppy.  Or maybe put all
> > the images on a CD.  But using older drives with newer disks and older disks
> > with newer drives are definite no nos.  However, I have done the latter even
> > though the floppy and drive companies say it is BAD.  Anyway, if you are making
> > backups it might be wise to follow manufaturers warnings.
> 
> --
> "Heisenberg may have slept here."