Re: assistance with disk ][ and modern 1.2M floppies

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Supertimer <supertimer@aol.com> wrote:

> The Disk II will store to only one side but you should notch
> the disk to use the other side.  Why waste it?  ;-)
> 
> The disks are certified double sided after all, so they will
> store 280k.  One volume on each side.

There is a potential problem with this technique, though it may be a
myth.

I have heard claims that 5.25" disks have a dirt collection layer inside
the case, which gathers dust and other gunk when the disk revolves in
one direction, but will deposit it back onto the disk if the revolution
is reversed (as when flipping the disk over).

I don't know whether to believe this.  I've personally used flipped over
and double notched disks without major problems.  Just to play it safe,
I'd be inclined to avoid flipping a disk which contains important data.

(Not that I've used 5.25" disks much in the last five years.)

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P O Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand