31 Dec
1997
31 Dec
'97
2:23 a.m.
On Tue, 30 Dec 1997 22:35:38 -0500, groberts(a)mitre.org (Glenn Roberts)
wrote:
worth checking whether your system uses hard sectored
or soft sectored
disks. the original H8 and early H89 "all in one" systems were based on
I know the difference between hard and soft sectored disks; they're
all hard (10) sectored diskettes.
if that doesn't do it a good head cleaning isn't a bad idea. i recently
dusted off my old H8 and had lots of disk problems 'til i cleaned the heads.
That's the next thing; I just haven't made it out to pick up a head
cleaning kit yet. Although it *does* seem to read the diskettes just
fine to boot from them and run programs, and it passes the read/write
tests that write data to the whole disk and then read it back several
times with no problems.
finally, if it *does* use hard sectored diskettes one has to wonder how
usable they are given that these haven't been manufactured in at least 10
years. i can post or send you instructions that someone posted on how to
make your own hard sectored disks by punching additional holes in a more
modern diskette (tho i haven't tried this myself).
I was able to format and use some of the same diskettes with NorthStar
DOS and CP/M on my IMSAI that failed to boot the H-89. This, coupled
with the successful media tests, seems to indicate that the diskettes
themselves are fine. I've got the instructions for punching
additional sector timing holes in new diskettes; I haven't tried it
either. Thanks, though. I'm thinking of trying one of the drives I'm
using on the IMSAI in the H-89 to see if that makes any difference.
That will also take care of the problem if the heads are worn or dirty
on the current drive, but I can't see how that's possible in light of
the other evidence. Thanks for the suggestions, at any rate.
-Bill Richman
bill_r(a)inetnebr.com
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bill_r
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