Re: Flopticals (Is there a mini-FAQ?)

[toddpw@ugcs.caltech.edu (Todd P. Whitesel)]

kentm@pro-applejacks.cts.com (Michael Kent) writes:

>1) Will any external floptical work, or do I need a special mechanism or
>manufacturer.  I remember something about Tulins and Insites -- are these
>the only ones that will work, or can I safely browse Computer Shopper?  If
>only certain types will work, what are they, who makes them, and what is
>their phone number?

The Insite mechanism is known to work. I have heard people claiming that the
IOmega mechanism also works, but I can't think of anyone who has one right
now -- if anyone wants to fess up, do it.

I believe the flopticals all have SCSI interfaces but if you really want to
shop around in Computer Shopper then you had better be careful. Most of those
people are going to sell you an internal drive that you're supposed to mount
in one of your 3.5" drive bays (where? in your PC of course!), not something
in a case with a power brick like you get from Tulin, PLI, AE/LRO, etc.

>2) Will my DMA SCSI suffice, or do I need a RAMFast?  (Note, the question
>wasn't SHOULD I get a RAMFast -- it's MUST I get a RAMFast :-)  ).

With Richard J. Bennett's drivers or the Tulin drivers you are guaranteed
access to the Insite mech from a DMA SCSI. I don't know about the IOmega
so hopefully somebody else will know. The RJB drivers should be buried on
CCO somewhere, probably in an archive called RJBFREEWARE.SHK or something.

>4) Will a floptical in any way affect my ability to get an 8-Meg RAMcard
>later and DMA to the entire 8-meg?

It won't affect it at all. The DMA SCSI can't do that anyway. To get all
8 megs DMA you'll need an RF Rev D.

>5) Will the MS-DOS Tools write to IBM disks using the floptical.  I'm
>pretty sure the MS-DOS FST will read from them.  Right?

That is how it's supposed to work, yes. I've heard reports that it does
work but haven't actually gotten around to trying it myself (too lazy I
guess, or else I just don't want to deal with PC's any more than I have to).

>Well, that will pretty much do it I think.  If I get a decent response and
>I get this thing to work, I'll try to write a floptical mini-FAQ.  But if
>one already exists, please send it to me.  Thanks.

Somebody's already started one. I assume they've sent it by now..

>Todd Whitesell?  You there?  Can you help?

I take it you mean me. Hope this helps, if only to confirm what everyone else
has said...

Todd Whitesel
toddpw @ ugcs.caltech.edu