Re: Question identifiing a 3.5" drive

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

William Garber <willy46pa@garberstreet.com> wrote:

> "David Empson" <dempson@actrix.gen.nz> wrote:
> : macdog <bigdog128@gmail.com> wrote:
> :
> : > I have a 3.5" floppy drive.  It looks exactly like the one in this
> : > auction.
> : >
> : > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260099421115&sspagename
> : > =ADME:B:AAQ:US:1
> : >
> : > On the 19 pin connector, mine has the following numbers:  88-1008
> : > imprinted in the plastic.
> :
> : That won't reveal much - it is probably the part number for the moulded
> : connector.
> :
> : Judging from the picture, it looks like a generic PC 3.5" drive in an
> : external case. I've never seen something like that for an Apple II, but
> : I haven't seen much clone hardware.
> :
> : It might be for use with a PC Transporter. Educated guesses: it is
> : unlikely to work on the built-in port of a IIc+ or IIgs. It might work
> : on a UDC or Laser 128. It might work on a Superdrive card. It is very
> : unlikely to work on a IIc or a Liron card.
> 
> There seems to be a UDC included with the eBay drive.

Yes, I should have read the description (and noticed the other picture).

It is somewhat surprising that this is an 800K drive, given that it
looks like a clone PC 3.5" floppy. Did Laser modify the drive to add
variable rotation speed, or does the UDC have variable bit cell timing?

The PC Transporter can do the opposite trick - accessing a 720K floppy
in an 800K Apple 3.5 Drive, and I think it does it with variable bit
cell timing, but it isn't 100% reliable.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz