Re: 3 1/2 w/ a Laser 128

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Vincent Hancock <vhancock@onyx.southwind.net> wrote:

> On 30 Aug 1996, Jay Pearlman <JayPearlman@envirolink.org> wrote:
> 
> > I was just wondering if someone can answer my question please.
> > I have  a Laser 128 w/out any extra cards and wanted to know
> > if i could connect a 3 1/2 drive to it. If so, what drive? If not,
> > what cards will I need?
> 
>   I'm been working on this exact scenario for the last couple of months.
> The first question you must ask is why & what type of 3-1/2.  My 
> understanding is that the UniDisk 3.5 can be used to read GS 800K disks.
> Mac 800K, Mac 1.44, and Apple 3.5 drives won't work (until some GS guru
> corrects me) with the Laser UDC port.

I don't know about the Laser port, but if it is an exact duplicate of
the Universal Disk Controller card, then it supports the Apple 3.5 Drive
and Mac 400K/800K drives, but not the UniDisk 3.5.  A SuperDrive would
work, but it would be exactly the same as an Apple 3.5 Drive (no support
for 1.44MB or the 720K MFM format).

The IIc disk port supports the UniDisk 3.5, but not any of the other
drives listed.

The question therefore boils down to how closely the Laser's disk port
emulates the UDC.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand