On Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 3:25 PM, Al Kossow <aek at bitsavers.org> wrote:
On 12/19/11 11:46 AM, jim s wrote:
I though these were either 2311 or 2315 IBM type
technology, but one could
use the embedded technology
They are actually IBM 5440 physical packaging, first used on System/3.
The cylinder positioning uses an embedded servo, on track is hard sectored.
Interesting. I'm not surprised to learn the form factor came from an
IBM drive, but I'm now wondering how many other drives used the same
physical pack types and if they were all embedded servo or if any
could be formatted in the field (i.e. - if one has a degaussed pack,
_can_ it be re-used anywhere).
I don't have it anymore, but 20-ish years ago, someone gave me a drive
set that I _think_ was Plessy-badged, with one fixed platter and one
RL02-type top-loading pack. If I'm right in remembering it took an
IBM 5440-style pack, I think I'm also right in remembering that you
could *not* put a DEC RL01 or RL02 pack inside and expect it to work -
you had to use packs formatted for that drive. I don't think there
was a risk of damage, just a lack of successful functionality.
-ethan