Re: old 5.25" disks won't mount on IIgs?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Adam Powers writes ...
> 
> I have some old MECC edu-tainment type programs I'd like to
> mount on my IIgs, but GS/OS won't recognize the floppies.
> The disks themselves are still OK and work fine on a //c,
> and I don't think it's an FST problem, since some of the
> disks even display a ProDOS 8 boot screen on the //c.
> My guess is that it has something to do with copy protection,
> since I can't even CATALOG the disks under Applesoft on
> the //c.  Any suggestions on how to mount them on a IIgs?
> Sorry if this is old hat, but I didn't find anything on the
> subject on the ground FAQs.
>

     This question and an answer will be added to the next release of
the Floppy Disk section of the FAQs.

     The problem you mention is fairly common. GS/OS via its FSTs has
pretty strict definitions for what qualifies as a valid DOS or ProDOS
diskette. For example, perfectly good 36-track DOS 3.3 diskettes will
not be mounted by the Finder just because the number of tracks is 36
instead of the expected 35.      

     Naturally, copy-protected diskettes have practically no chance of
being recognized. Almost certainly, this is the reason the Finder will
not mount your MECC disks.

     You can, still, run software from most copy-protected diskettes by
just booting them.



Rubywand