Re: Where is the R/W head ...

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Jeff Blakeney writes ...
> 
> On Wed, 01 Jul 1998 09:31:52 +0200, Pim Blokland
> <pDOTblokland@spcgroup.nl> wrote:
> 
> >In reality, all disks had only the bottom side used. And tested.
> 
> I'd have to open up one of my Disk ][ drives to be 100% sure but I am
> 99% sure that Apple 5.25" drives had the read/write head on the top of
> the disk.  The read/write head is actually attached to the back of the
> door latch that you raise to insert a disk.  When you close the latch
> the head is placed just above the top of the disk surface.
>

     A long time ago, some guys figured out that if you put the head on
the top 'everyone would know'-- i.e. "Side One is the top side of the
diskette and the head is on the top". So, they put the R/W head for
5.25" single-sided drives on the bottom. (Which means the bottom side of
the diskette is the one being used for "Side One".)

     The thing that gets lowered from the top when you close the drive
door is the pressure pad.
          


Rubywand