Re: Using both sides of DS DD disks

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

David Wilson replied:

>mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon) writes:
>>The only possible impact to the drive would be the (theoretical)
>>re-exposure to dirt trapped by normal rotation on the disk sleeve,
>>and now (theoretically) released by counter-rotation.
>
>True. There is also the possibility of the head pressure pad on a
>single sided drive causing damage to the disk surface. Provided you
>never turn the diskette over you don't notice it but once you do
>you are either trying to record on a damaged surface or worse it starts
>to damage the already recorded side 1. There have been instances where
>the pressure pad has fallen off a drive.

Yes, I mentioned this other theoretical possibility in another part
of this thread.

I have never seen any actual case of this, although I, too, have heard
of pressure pads coming off.  This situation could, of course, also
cause embossing damage without even flipping the diskette.

In any case, it is pretty easily ruled out by comparing the top
and bottom surfaces of a recently-used diskette.  If they are both
in the same (smooth, unscratched) condition, then the head load
pad is not an issue.  If one (or both!) sides are scored or scratched,
then something is seriously wrong with the drive, regardless of
which side of the disk you plan to use.  ;-)

-michael

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