Re: I can't format 3.5 floppies!

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

"Bruce Fancher" <bruce@iterative.com> wrote:

>I just bought a //gs in order to access some of my old DOS 3.3. files and
>I'm trying to format some DS,HD 3.5 floppies and copy files to them, but
>with no success.  I keep getting and error message that the disks are not
>ProDos or DOS 3.3 disk.
>
>Anyone have any ideas and/or suggestions?

The IIgs can use two different types of 3.5" drives, DD which is 800k
or HD which is 1.44MB.  The usual type of drive that connects to the
back built in drive port is DD (like an old B&W Mac).  If you have a
card in the slots for controlling HD drives and your drive is an external
SuperDrive or compatible, you can use HD disks.

Looks like you just have a DD drive.  Trying to format a DS/HD disk
in a DD drive is an iffy proposition.  Some people succeed, others
don't...it depends on the particular disk.  It is a bad idea in general
and in all cases, the data will fade over months, weeks, or days (if
you can format the disk at all).  Best bet?  Find some old DS/DD
disks...they'll format every time and hold data properly.  If you are
in the market for a HD drive and controller card, I can point you in
the right direction too...