Re: Network volumes on IIgs and Formatting

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

In article <4.48516099.Logic.IS@logicbbs.org>,  <Jim.Low@logicbbs.org> wrote:
> I have two Macs with several drives each networked to my Apple IIgs.  I've 
> discovered that if there are more than 2 or 3 network volumes online, MY 
> Apple IIgs fails to format disks.  Typically, I'll hear the formatting 
> starting, with the normal "chunk" sounds, which become irregular, then at 
> some point stop.  The drive keeps spinning, but formatting never completes.  

Interesting.  It sounds like the additional AppleShare volumes are
causing increased load on the IIgs, preventing it from getting around
to formatting the next track on the disk (I can't think why it would
take longer when format higher numbered tracks, though).

You are talking about formatting a 3.5" disk, I assume.

The AppleDisk3.5 driver probably formats the disk one track at a time,
and enables interrupts between tracks.  This would allowing pending
AppleTalk communication to proceed.

> The more network volumes I have on line, the sooner the "chunking" stops.
>  
> Has anyone else run into this proble?  Is there a solution - other than 
> removing the network volumes from the desktop?

There probably isn't one.  Format the disks under ProDOS-8 (probably
not a good idea, because you may get the wrong file system and/or
interleave), or log off from the server when you want to format disks.

> Interestingly, the formatting fails only if I try it from within
> GS/OS.  Even with the network volumes online, formatting works okay
> from within 8-bit software. 

It probably leaves interrupts locked out for the whole formatting
operation (running the risk that your server connection will be dropped).
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand