Re: Disk copy in Apple IIGS?

[Polymorph <polymorph69@hotmail.com>]

On Mar 31, 10:21 am, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> Polymorph wrote:
> >   To: limtc
> > limtc wrote:
>
> >>Yes, I hope my incident will someone else out there to avoid the
> >>issues I encountered.
>
> >>I think if we use SuperDrive without the SuperDrive controller disk,
> >>it is best to use DD disk or cover the hole in HD disk to fool it into
> >>DD disk.
>
> >>Right now I am back to emulation, and not sure when I will have my GS
> >>back and running again. It is nice to actually run the real hardware
> >>for a few days though.
>
> > I have always used HD disks without a problem in my Superdrive drive
> > *without* a Superdrive controller. I believe that many (including
> > Michael) suggest the use of DD disks because of the magnetic properties
> > of the disks - it has nothing to do with the HD hole as far as I know.
> > As Michael said, it is for drives that are considered marginal - they
> > work but maybe not as good as they should.
>
> > It would seem that some experience problems using HD disks and others do
> > not. I guess the thing to take from this is - if you can get your hands
> > on DD disks, definitely use those in preference to HD disks as you will
> > gain nothing by using HD disks without a Superdrive controller.
>
> > If you can not get DD disks, *try* HD disks - you might just be lucky
> > like me (and others) who experience no problems using HD disks.
>
> > As for covering the HD holes, I do not think this is necessary for Apple
> > drives.
>
> Actually, if it's a Superdrive, it may be important.
>
> The drive senses the HD hole to set its write current, and
> it may also limit its options to 1.4MB MFM.
>
> Certainly, try formatting a disk with the HD hole taped before
> giving up on the drive.
>
> -michael
>
> NadaPong: Network game demo for Apple II computers!
> Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/
>
> "The wastebasket is our most important design
> tool--and it's seriously underused."- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

What you say makes sense, however, my main IIgs uses a Superdrive
*without* a Superdrive controller (I wish I had one), and I have never
had problems formatting HD disks. They are always formatted to 800K
without a problem. My daughter has been using the disks I created
using my Superdrive for several years on a regular Apple 3.5" drive
(A9M0106) and we have had no problems reading them as yet. YMMV
however.

Cheers,
Mike