🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <6252@wpi.wpi.edu> ear@wpi.wpi.edu (Eric A Rasmussen) writes:
>In article <MLM.89Dec11110300@hector.cs.brown.edu> mlm@cs.brown.edu writes:
>>
>>	Is it possible to use a MFM hard disk drive with an RLL
>>	controller? Are there particular MFM drives that will do it?
>>	How would I tell?
>
>While the answer to your first question is technically yes, I cannot emphasize
>enough how bad an idea it is.  Unless a drive is specifically designed for
>RLL, which means that it has a higher quality media inside it, you SHOULD NOT
>try to format it as an RLL drive.

[more useless blater deleted for brevity...

I'm getting really tired (make that SICK and tired) of the alleged expert
information thrown around this net on RLL'in MFM (rated) drives and how
their insides can't take it and you'll blow up the electronics and (the
absolute lowest, slimbe-all move of all) Seagate claiming to void the
warranty on a drive if you improperly connect an RLL controller to it.
This has crossed the line of relatively ridiculous to the absolutely absurd
around here!!!

Look, folks: manufacturers do NOT purposely "flaw" or "under-construct" the
surfaces of a drive to preclude their being used as an RLL drive.  (Well,
maybe Seagate does - I wouldn't put it past them...).  A reputable
manufacturer (prime, shining examples:  Maxtor and Micropolis) create
quality drives, not something just barely running on the ragged edge.
These things are easily capable of being connected to RLL controllers.
Some of them can even be pushed beyond their specified number of
cylinders.

Now, if you do this and something goes wrong (i.e., you lose some data) do
you go whining to the drive manufacturer? the controller manufacturer?  Of
course not.  You took the chance, dammit, and if it works - fine.  If not,
then put back the MFM controller and chalk it up to experience.  (By the
way: experience is what you get when you don't get what you thought you
were going to get.)

So if you want to try RLL'ing a drive not spec'd for it, and you have the
time and money to support it, and if you perceive that the benefits may
eventually outweigh the possible difficulties then by all means GO FOR IT.
But if you need (or, more importantly, your BOSS needs) the security of
going with guaranteed standards (uh, good luck on that one, by the way)
then pay your good money, buy the specified/guaranteed RLL drives and sleep
calmly tonight (and tomorrow night, and...)

That's it form here on RLL'ing MFM drives.  Over and OUT.  Permanently.

kEITHe