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

[Frank Carney <frankc@cyberhighway.net>]

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.