🚀 go-pugleaf

Rainbow EchoMail Digest					    Apr 10, 1991

In this issue:
  RE: FLOPPY INFO                (2 messages)
  FLOPPY INFO                    (2 messages)
  MS-DOS 3.10 OR LATER FOR  


  Articles posted to either INFO-DEC-MICRO or comp.sys.dec.micro are
currently gatewayed to the Rainbow Echo on FidoNet. You do not need
to take special action to respond to articles in these digests.

  Please send reports of problems or suggestions for improvement of
this digest to GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (Internet).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:     8 Apr 91  07:29 -0500
From:     HOWARD HALL 
To:       GEORGE THEALL 
Subject:  RE: FLOPPY INFO 

 
 >GT  What kind/brand/type of diskettes does one recommend for the 
 >GT  DEC RAINBOW:  I've casually tried a bunch of diskettes and have 
 >GT  had no luck ..................
 
A few of the brands I have used/am using, in alphabetical order: 
Digital, Maxell, Memorex, Nashua, Sony, vanilla, Xerox, ....
 
I can't say I have a particular preference.  All the above have worked
on my RB, some after having been formatted on other machines,
others with no original format of any kind.
 
I use three different styles of format on my disks, since I need a
supply ready to use on an IBM as well as a supply for the RB. 
And since I work back and forth between the systems, the third
stlye is IBM single-sided to provide data portability.  I add a
notation to the (stick-on) disk label saying IBM DOUBLE-SIDED,
IBM SINGLE-SIDED, or RAINBOW so that I know at a glance which
category each disk fits.
 
The 'vanilla' diskettes are exceedingly reasonable in price if you buy
in one thousand (1000) disk batches.  The quantities available
are 100, 500, or 1000.  The diskettes come in a plastic bag,
sleeves are included in the bag, as are write-protect tabs. 
The diskettes are NOT inserted in the sleeves, though the
sleeves are there.  The only connection I have with the company
involved is an occasional catalog (I'm looking at the March '91
issue at the moment).  You should be able to get current info on
prices, etc. by calling MEI/Micro Center at 1-800-634-3478. 
The prices quoted will be between 20 cents and 30 cents per
disk, plus shipping (approx. another penny/disk), with a
separate price for each of the above quantities.
 
Have fun!
 
                                                  hlh


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

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

Date:     7 Apr 91  12:58 -0500
From:     BOB SMITH 
To:       GEORGE THEALL 
Subject:  FLOPPY INFO 

Any DS/DD or SS/DD disk will work.  I would not use cheap disk for
important information (get a name brand).  The HD are not good
for the rainbow (different oxide).  You will need the FORMAT
program from MSDOS 2.11 or 3.x to format the IBM media, for the
rainbow.  If you have trouble with drive to drive
interchangeability you need to run GGRPM (CPM program) and
adjust the speed of your drives.

- --- msged 2.07
 * Origin: Bob's_point of Cuckoo's Nest : Hudson, NH  (1:132/119.4)

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

Date:     9 Apr 91  02:53 -0500
From:     NOLAN LEE 
To:       GEORGE THEALL 
Subject:  RE: FLOPPY INFO 


The Rainbow uses a DEC disk called an RX-50K, I think.  The RX-50K is
>> supplied with a strange, low-level format already applied to it.  You can
>> create this format on any HD and most DD disks if you have some of the
>> support programs for CCPM-86.
 GT>If memory serves, I think I used the /e switch on floppy with 
 GT>MS-DOS 2.11-1, last DOS provided by DEC for the 'bow...  No idea 
 GT>how to do it with S.S. DOS 3.10-B.

To format a new disk with MS-Dos 3.10b you use the /I switch.
Format A: /I  for example. This initiallizes the new disk. After thats
been done the first time, a plain Format command will handle
the disk unless its been bulk erased of course.

Nolan


- --- QM v1.00
 * Origin: Washington/St.Tammany Connection (1:390/5.0)

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

Date:     9 Apr 91  06:04 -0500
From:     FRANK MALLORY 
To:       ALAN RASKIND 
Subject:  MS-DOS 3.10 OR LATER FOR 

 AR> Does anybody know if DEC ever officially released MS-DOS 3.1 or a later 
 AR> version for the Rainbow?  There are some programs that require ver. 3 
 AR> or later and it would be nice to get a copy if it is available and bug 
 AR> free.

No, it was not "officially released" by DEC. They sold the program and
certain rights to a company called Suitable Solutions, who sold
it commercially for awhile. I believe it is currently available
through the IRUG. It is pretty much bug-free. The latest version
(3.10b) gives a lot better PC compatibility but requires an
updated version of Code Blue as well.


- --- msged 1.99L MSC
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 (1:109/417)

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

Date:     9 Apr 91  06:08 -0500
From:     FRANK MALLORY 
To:       GEORGE THEALL 
Subject:  FLOPPY INFO 

 GT>         What kind/brand/type of diskettes does one recommend for the 
 GT> DEC rainbow?  I've casually tried a bunch of diskettes and have had no 
 GT> luck unless they are original DEC diskettes made for the rainbow, or 
 GT> were already working with the rainbow.

I've had the best luck with Memorex and 3M. Maxell should be avoided;
they won't work at all on some Rainbows.


- --- msged 1.99L MSC
 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 (1:109/417)

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

End of Rainbow EchoMail Digest
******************************