Re: Superdrive Controllers $59

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

B.J. Major wrote:
> 
> Scott G. <pubpc1@library.ucla.edu> wrote:
> 
> > B.J. Major wrote:
> >
> > > > > Shawn Beattie <sbeattie@sparc5.augustana.edu> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > On 26 Dec 1997 17:09 -0500, spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)
> > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >    I only have one Apple II 3.5 Disk Controller Card, and
> > > > > > > considering how incredibly rare they've become (and valuable
> > > > > > > as a "bridge" between my Apple II and PC)
> > > > >
> > > > > A bridge???  Don't think so.  More misinformation being spread here.
> > > > > Although a IIgs with a Superdrive Controller card and a Mac can read HD
> > > > > (or DD) MS-DOS formatted disks with no problem, PC's *can't* read Apple
> > > > > II 3.5 High Density (or Double Density) ProDOS formatted disks.  It's
> > > > > not in their OS to do so.  Heck, they can't even recognize/read Mac
> > > > > disks without installing a special program (like Mac Access or Mac See)
> > > > > first.
> > > >
> > > > I recall hearing about an equivalent program to do this with ProDOS high
> > > > density disks, but don't remember the details.  It is of no interest to
> > > > me, as I have plenty of other options, so I haven't investigated
> > > > further.
> > > >
> > > > Even if this wasn't available, a "bridge" is still quite a valid
> > > > description, because you can copy files TO an MS-DOS disk using a
> > > > SuperDrive card and SuperDrive with the right software (or with a PC
> > > > Transporter card, for example).
> > >
> > > David, I *already knew* about the copying TO an MS-DOS disk using the
> > > Superdrive on a IIgs (see my original statements above); the point in
> > > question was whether IBM PCs could read ProDOS formatted disks at all.
> > > I was not aware that there was a separate program available that enabled
> > > them to do this (mentioned by another poster in this thread).
> >
> > B.J., you are mistaken.  My PC can read my Apple IIGS high density
> > ProDOS 3.5" 1.44MB diskettes just fine using a PC program called
> > ProCopy.  This program is the equivalent for the ProDOS file system
> > of MacSee et al for the HFS filesystem.  With ProCopy, you can read
> > ProDOS disk based files with any PC.
> 
> This is the same information as has been posted previously in this
> thread, so your post serves only to repeat it.  The question still
> remains whether there is software that exists that can let a PC read
> 800K ProDOS formatted disks.  Is there?

Well, the issue is whether the term "bridge" is valid.  You
originally said (see above) that the PC has no software that
can read EITHER ProDOS HD OR DD diskettes.  It is true that
normal PC drives can't read ProDOS DD, but ONLY DD disks.
However, the PC drives CAN read HD (high density 1.44MB)
ProDOS disks just fine with a software program called ProCopy.

For DD (800K), you will need a Central Point Software controller,
the ones that came with Copy II PC (during the copy protection
days) to do this.  With such a board and ProCopy, you can lift
info off an 800K disk.

Nonetheless, "bridge" is valid because presumably if you are
using an Apple IIGS with a SuperDrive controller, you will be
formatting ProDOS (and other) disks at 1.44MB.  ProDOS 1.44MB
disks can be read on the _PC_ side with ProCopy with no
problems.

> 
> (snip, more repeat information)
> 
> > Thirdly, I just want to point out that you don't need a SuperDrive
> > and SuperDrive controller to format these PC compatible 1.44MB disks.
> > BlueDisk and a PC drive would work too.  Also, you can have an
> > AE 1.44MB drive (but not the 1.6MB one) and a SuperDrive controller
> > and that'll work too.  An AMR 1.44MB floppy drive and the controller
> > would work too.
> 
> Ok, *that's* info I did not previously have--thanks.

No problem.  :)

I forgot one more option: a floptical drive on the SCSI chain
of the GS would work too.

-Scott G.