20 Sep
2014
20 Sep
'14
12:24 p.m.
Fred,
So if I understand what you are saying as long as my interest is in copying
IBM 8" disks (which it is: IBM 5322 and 5120 disks) I can connect a 8" drive
to the standard IBM AT disk controller and be able to read/write. I have a
number of 51TD drives around so could I use them with something like the
FDADAP floppy disk adapter to connect the drive to a 5170 (either to the std
controller or CompatiCard II/IV using the external connector) and
image/write disks using something like Dave Dunfield's Disk Imager? That
would be relatively straight forward if I am following you. Thanks for any
help.
-Ali
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of Fred Cisin
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2014 5:16 PM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: RE: "Smartcom II" package available
On Thu, 18 Sep 2014, Ali wrote:
I know DOS had support for 8" drives
through 6.22 (see MS KB 75131). The reason I ask is because then one
could theoretically use DOS based imagers/zip utilities/etc. for
copying 8" disks
Depends on what you mean by "imagers". Programs that deal with disks with
other sector sizes are going to bypass DOS and talk to the BIOS, or talk
directly to the FDC hardware.
I haven't ever heard of anyone doing this so I am
sure I am missing
something. The other option would be some of the turn key systems you
alluded to (i.e. ISA controller card with external drives) but finding
one now would be very hard to do. Everything else I've read about
copying/imaging 8" disks make it sound rather complicated.
It's not necessarily THAT complicated. Just by cabling an external drive to
an ordinary PC's 1.2M compatible controller will provide the hardware
necessary to be able to deal with most MFM ("double density") 8" disks.
Single density adds some more fun and games.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com