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Rainbow EchoMail Digest                         Mar 22, 1991

In this issue:
  FLOPPY DISKETTE DENSITIES      (3 messages)
  RE: QUESTION
  RE: FLOPPY DISKETTE DENSI


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Date:     19 Mar 91  11:03 -0500
From:     NOLAN LEE
To:       HOWARD HALL
Subject:  FLOPPY DISKETTE DENSITIES

In a message of <Mar 18 23:47>, Howard Hall (1:109/417) writes:
 HH>example, that I only need SS (single sided) diskettes for my
 HH>Rainbow, but I get DS (double sided) so that I have a 'common'
 HH>diskette that I can easily reformat and use elsewhere.  (I also

 HH>appreciate a dissertation on the need/usefulness of HD (high
 HH>density) diskettes in both the above categories.
 HH>
 HH>     Help!!

I use the least expensive diskettes I can find. I've been using the
DSDD diskettes in the Rainbow and haven't had any problems with them.
I've even punched new right protect notches and index holes and turned
them over to double capacity with no problems.

I tried using some of the high density disks in the Rainbow but had
formatting problems with them. Even the ones that formatted ok
still gave me read errors.

I personally don't keep any disk with bad sectors. I usually bulk erase
them and try the format over. Then mark them with a small "x"
and send them as freebies to others that I give or trade files
with. I don't trust 'em! After all, is it worth loosing an
important file over a 25 cent disk?

Perhaps someone else will have some suggestions!

Good luck,
Nolan

- --- QM v1.00
 * Origin: Nolan's Point (1:390/2.7)

------------------------------

Date:     20 Mar 91  20:16 -0500
From:     WARNER LOSH
To:       VAN VANHORN
Subject:  RE: QUESTION

In a message of <17 Mar 91 09:53:27>, Van Vanhorn (1:343/30) writes:

 VV>When major applications came on two 3740 disks (Single Sided Single
 VV>Density 8" floppies for any latecomers <grin>) and ten meg hard drives
 VV>were still big, advertisers playing fast and loose with this difference
 VV>weren't a big deal.  Besides, at 10 megs, it isn't much difference. At
 VV>64 megs, it is substantial.

This discussion cam up a while ago.  When you buy memory, 1K is 1024
and 1M is 1024K.  However, when you buy a disk, however, 1K is
1000 and 1M is 1000K.  I have spent several lunches arguing
over this with someone that worked in the disk depratment were I work.

These hair split by...

Warner "Imp" Losh

- --- msged 1.99S ZTC
 * Origin: DinoPoint 6  (1:104/114.6)

------------------------------

Date:     20 Mar 91  20:19 -0500
From:     WARNER LOSH
To:       HOWARD HALL
Subject:  FLOPPY DISKETTE DENSITIES

5.25" Disks:
        Double Density:         40 tracks (Original PC disks)
        Quad Density:           80 tracks (Rainbow Disks)
        High Density:           80 tracks (AT disks)

Note that HD and QD are different.  The megetic properties of the disks
are different, so don't use HD disks in a Rainbow (unless you
like trouble).  It is OK to use QD disks on an AT disk drive,
since the head field is stronger than the specs.  DD disks are
OK to use in QD drives usually.  They aren't tested and
certified for 80 tracks, but will usually work.

3.5" Disks:
        DD:                     80 Tracks (Original 3.5" disks)
        HD:                     80 Tracks (New 3.5" disks)

HD have 18 (or 20) sectors per track.  DD have 9 (or 10) sectors per track.

All HD disks write at a higher density and with faster data transfer
rates than DD disks.  As such, I have not found a way to put
any HD disks in a Rainbow.

Warner

- --- msged 1.99S ZTC
 * Origin: DinoPoint 6  (1:104/114.6)

------------------------------

Date:     20 Mar 91  20:41 -0500
From:     HOWARD HALL
To:       NOLAN LEE
Subject:  RE: FLOPPY DISKETTE DENSI

Nolan-
     Your response received and appreciated.  Your comments have
clarified some of the verbiage in the catalog blurbs concerning
diskettes, densities, capacities, etc.  Based on your observations
"in the field", I see no advantage to my testing of the same items!
I will simply continue using the DS/DD, and may eventually even try the
re-notch bit for some "casual" uses!

     Thanx!                             hlh

- --- Opus-CBCS 1.14
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md - 301-622-2247 (1:109/417.0)

------------------------------

Date:     22 Mar 91  19:36 -0500
From:     GEORGE THEALL
To:       WARNER LOSH
Subject:  FLOPPY DISKETTE DENSITIES

WL>5.25" Disks:
...
WL>        Quad Density:           80 tracks (Rainbow Disks)
WL>        High Density:           80 tracks (AT disks)

  Warner, aren't the RX50s 96 tracks (per inch)?

  And, btw, ever notice that DEC in their _Rainbow Handbook_
describes them as "double density"? No kidding, I'm looking in the
Spring 1984 edition, p. 8-17. Typo maybe?

George

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