Re: Can I tell if a floppy is double sided by appearance?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

JGrav89894 writes ...
> 
> Is there a way I can tell if an old floppy (5 1/4) is double sided by looking
> at it? Is there something to look for?(marks,notches, etc.)
>


     In general, aside from some label, no.

     Sure, a diskette notched on both left and right edges is a good
bet; but, this seems hardly ever to have been done for new diskettes. (I
do not recall ever coming across a new 5.25" diskette notched on both
sides.)

     There may be some very old 5.25" diskettes with an oxide coating on
just one side-- probably, the oxide would be on the back (bottom) side--
and it would be pretty easy to see the difference. If you find one, keep
it, since it is something of a rarity.

     5.25" diskettes are routinely double-sided whatever the
designation. The difference in labeling and cost reflects whether or not
both diskette sides (or both sides of the master sheet) were tested. 

     Mainly, "Single-sided" means just 'side one' is guaranteed;
"Double-sided" means both sides are guaranteed. Users have been notching
"Single-sided" 5.25" diskettes and using both sides for years. (The
first time a friend punched one of our "Single-sided" diskettes and
showed how Side Two could be INITed and used, I was shocked and amazed.
"Wow! Twice as much storage space!")

     

Rubywand