Re: Trackstar 128 Problems - Please Help

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net> wrote:

>Mike writes ...
>> 
>> I also don't know about the role of my PC drives.  Do these need to be also
>> connected to the Trackstar ?  If they are connected to the Trackstar, do
they
>> function exactly like an Apple ][ floppy drive or are there some
>> incompatibilities ?
>
>     There is a way to connect your PC 5.25" drives to Trackstar using a weird
cable
>and plug setup. Not all PC drives will work-- your manual probably talks about
this.
>
>     Evidently, the 5.25" PC drives connected to Trackstar can still function
okay
>with your PC.
>
>     As for A2 compatibility; I'm fairly sure the drives simply function as PC
drives
>which Trackstar is able to use with PC diskettes-- i.e. it can save and load
files to
>diskettes in the drives. The PC drives can not read or write standard Apple II
>diskettes.

Actually, I read in an InCider review of the TrackStar that the PC drives can
indeed read and write standard Apple II 5.25" disks using the TrackStar
card.  The card has a CGR controller.

This is exactly the reverse of what the PC Transporter does.  Normally, the
Apple 3.5 drive can't support MFM disks, but that's not the fault of the drive.
It is the controller in Apple IIs (IWM) that can't support MFM disks.  The
PCT contains an MFM capable (SWIM) controller that CAN support MFM
disks.  Thus, with the PCT, Apple 3.5 drives can read and write standard
MS-DOS disks!

In both the TrackStar and the PCT, it is the controller, not the drive!