Re: 800KB DD disk reliability in SuperDrives?

["geoff" <geoff@a2central.com.remove-job-this>]

  To: MdntTrain
In real world use (not a test of 5 repeated operations), I have found that I 
am unable to read some 800k disk on 1.4 megs drives (the 1.4 meg drive can be 
connected to the Superdrive Controller Card or the IIgs disk port), but read 
fine on 800k drives.  Writing to some 800k disks on the 1.4 meg drive (i.e. 
which the Finder does by default) will make some disks unusable on any drive 
(hence the write problems).  It should be noted that my real-world usage was 
roughly 1992-1997.  I had problems with my 1.4 drive and others.  I have heard 
other relay similar stories.  I also heard many have that many have no 
problems.

Real-world use is defined as daily/primary usage by a power-user.

I have no metrics to determine what the likelihood of a running across a 
problem using 800k disks on a 1.4 meg drive.  I only caution that it is not 
unusual to see problems.

It was also not unusual during this time frame to see 720k disks not be 
readable or become corrupted due to writing by 1.4 drives on PCs.

Geoff

 > 
 > Warren,

  I just recently conducted a similar test for a drive repair I'm
 > doing, and had no issues.. albeit I'm not using a Superdrive
 > controller.. but rather had a Superdrive daisy-chained into an 800k plugged 
 > into my IIgs.

  The steps I took were to format + verify an 800k floppy in the 800k, then 
  Tswitch it over to the SD, and first verify it, then reformat + verify... 
  Tthen put it back in 800k, verify + format + verify... this
 > loop about 5 times repeated.   I had perfect results between the 800k drive 
 > and SD drive.. as I was expecting to see.

    This drive was intended to be used in this manner for the Macs..
 > of which the 800k type, the IIgs has an identical floppy port... so I don't 
 > understand Geoff's comment re it not being unusual for this type
 > of use to fail.

 > ~ J
 > --- Synchronet 3.14a-Win32 NewsLink 1.85
--- Synchronet 3.14a-Win32 NewsLink 1.85
A2Central.com - Your total source for Apple II computing.