Re: //e disk density question

[ralphp@gcstation.net (Ralph Wade Phillips)]

Hi there!

In article <sdevious-1710962037530001@sdevious.pr.mcs.net>,
sdevious@mcs.net (Sdevious) wrote:

> I am totally new to the apple, and just got a //e (The Enhenced Enhenced
> model with the light case,numeric keypad, and extra 64k memory) and it has
> a pair of disk drives (they connect to a card in the first slot on the
> right) that I am confused about.  These drives are both the lighter
> (almost white) color and seem to be the same 5 1/2 drives used on the GS. 
> My problem is that I can't read many of the //e disks I've come across. 
> All of the software I have that lacks the little notch on the top right
> side of the disk won't boot the computer.  I assume that these disks are
> low density and that my newer drives are high density and won't recgonize
> them.  Am I correct?  Also, in examining the system, I noticed a pair of
> connectors in the back between the video output and the paddle connector,
> these are marked with an icon that looks to me like an audio tape.  Could
> these be sound in and out or are they for a disk drive?  I would be very
> grateful if anyone can help me boot the low density disks, and let me know
> about those ports.  I could also use some help finding some basic
> information on how to opperate the apple. (DOS commands, a starter guide,
> or anything else)  Thank you very much,
> 
> Mike
> (Despite my questions, I love the apple already)

        1) All of Apple's 5.25" floppy drives use the same encoding
method, and are 100% compatible.  What happens is that SOME monitors, when
sitting ON or BESIDE the disk drives (especially the plastic-cased ones),
will interfer with the data being read enough that the floppy drives don't
see any good data.  Oh, you can ALSO have a broken disk drive.  With the
power OFF, try swapping the two drives (esp. if they are UniDisk 5.25 or
Drive 5.25s).  If they are Disk ][s (black face, flap-style door, etc.)
then listen to them.  If you hear a "tick tick tick tick" when it starts
up, then a very common mechanical failure has most likely occured.  If you
hear a "SweeepTHUTHUTHUTHUTHUTHUT" type sound, then it's working good
enough at moving the head back and forth.  I found out that SOME Disk ][s,
when moved, would pop free from the groove in the head motion cam, and
need to be reseated.  If so, you can set the disk drive with its face on a
towel, and pop the back SHARPLY with your HAND.  It will smart, but if
it's your hand, it will be VERY difficult to damage anything ... <B-)


        2) The two jacks marked with a "TAPE" are for Tape In and Tape
Out, used for cassette tape data load.  If your //e is an ENHANCED //e,
then there's a good chance that the CODE isn't in the ROMs anymore (I
remember the code being removed to make space, but I could be wrong - as
several others on this newsgroup will point out! <B-) )

        RwP

-- 
Ralph Wade Phillips, CET #LA-82
ralphp@gcstation.net