Re: Best way to make backups of 3.5" disks - copy prog?

[Blake Patterson <blake@blakespot.com>]

	It's amazing to see some of the old stuff I've dug up.  I mean, I'm 27
right now, but when I had the IIgs (my first) I was 15.  I mean, some of
the corny things I drew in Deluxe Paint, and some the bizarre things I'd
written, etc.  QUITE the stroll down memory lane, so to speak.  

	It's also amazing to imagine what the GS I've just configured (when all
arrives, it'll be pretty maxed out) would've cost back then.  Amazing.


bp

John wrote:
> 
> I actually still have a few floppies from when I was in Junior High School
> that are 18 years old that still work! There is even one of them that has all
> four edges wrapped in scotch tape that still functions fine! :)
> 
> In article <3870AA42.6F4C435A@blakespot.com>, Blake Patterson
> <blake@blakespot.com> wrote:
> >
> >        I'm just amazed that these 10-13 year old disks still work.  Should I
> >be?  I remember paying $49.95 for boxes of 10 Maxell 3.5" disks back
> >when I had an Amiga 1000.  Seems like the quality was higher then as
> >well.  I mean, I go ahead and take a 3.5" disk out of the supply closet
> >at work and write some HD data to it (PC) and need to worry if the
> >motion of ejecting the disk, moving through the electromagnetic field of
> >the earth, is going to erase the data that was just written.  Is it me
> >or have 3.5" disks just REALLY gotten HORRIBLY unreliable??  (Actually,
> >the first disk out of the box of 100 Sony HD disks I just got for $25,
> >when put in the GS caused a horrible noise--turns out the disk was
> >jammed and would not rotate.  Amazing.)
> >
> >        Anyway...
> >
> >
> >
> >bp
> >
> >Rich Hare wrote:
> >>
> >> Yes, if need be, buy USED DD disks.
> >> The MEDIA remains fine...
> >> it's only the RECORDING which may fade in time, or become corrupted.
> >>
> >> There REALLY IS a difference in the coercivity of the media between DD
> >> and HD disks.  You might get away with it (I've never had a problem) but
> >> if you are trying to do the right thing, DD is the right thing.  (I also
> >> know smokers in fine health.)
> >>
> >> btw,
> >> I happen to have an excess of low milage DD disks I could part with, if
> >> you can't find any closer to you than SE Michigan.
> >>
> >> Blake Patterson wrote:
> >> >
> >> >         What is one to do, then??  Buy used DD disks to make "new" copies
> > of
> >> > older disks so they'll last longer??  I wanted to "refresh" my disks by
> >> > making copies now in hopes that these will last longer than the old ones
> >> > will.  The only 3.5" disks I can find are HD disks.  I've been using
> >> > those tonight and have made something like 40 copies so far-and they
> >> > seem to be working.  Should I assume they are not going to last??
> >> >
> >> >         I would have to imagine that using old, used DD disks is just not
> > the
> >> > best way to do it.  Are there new DD disks that would work better than
> >> > HD disks?  Thanks.
> >> >
> >> >         Can anyone clarify?
> >> >
> >> > bp
> >> >
> >> > Frank Carney wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > > Blake Patterson wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > > >         What's the best way to copy a regular old GS disk that does not
> > have
> >> > > > funky disk copy protection on it?  I was surprised to see that Copy II+
> >> > > > has to have the disk formatted first.  And DiversiCopy does the same.
> >> > > > "ZZ Copy" works quicker, but is it safe??  I do not have photonix.
> > Just
> >> > > > want to reliably copy a number of regular old GS disks.
> >> > > >
> >> > > >         I bought a 100-pack of Sony HD floppies for $25.  Copying lots
> > of
> >> > > > 14-year old disks to them.  I think the older disks are WAY higher
> >> > > > quality tho.  I assume it's ok to use HD disks.  Will keep the older
> >> > > > disks as backup.  Any comments?
> >> > > >
> >> > > > bp
> >> > > > --
> >> > > > "Heisenberg may have slept here."
> >> > >
> >> > > Are you putting them on another computer then putting them on the new
> > disks?
> >> > >
> >> > > I do not think it would be wise to use newer disks.  They use different
> > amounts
> >> > > of magnetic material and could cause you to lose data.  I would suggest
> > using
> >> > > Shrinkit to make a disk image then send them to another computer.  Then
> > write
> >> > > the disk image as a file to a msdos or mac formatted floppy.  Or maybe
> > put all
> >> > > the images on a CD.  But using older drives with newer disks and older
> > disks
> >> > > with newer drives are definite no nos.  However, I have done the latter
> > even
> >> > > though the floppy and drive companies say it is BAD.  Anyway, if you are
> > making
> >> > > backups it might be wise to follow manufaturers warnings.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > "Heisenberg may have slept here."
> >

-- 
"Heisenberg may have slept here."