14 Mar
2005
14 Mar
'05
7 p.m.
Can anybody give me any information about this drive ?
Would I for example be able to connect it to any more or less modern machine ?
Thanks!
Stefan Mansier.
-------------------------------------------------------
http://www.oldcomputercollection.com
14 Mar
14 Mar
8:31 p.m.
Stefan wrote:
Can anybody give me any information about this drive ?
http://bitsavers.org/pdf/qume/
15 Mar
15 Mar
12:16 p.m.
Thanks!
Hmm so, am I correct to think I could connect this quite simply to a FDADAP
floppy disk adapter ?
Would I need anything else ?
Stefan.
At 02:31 15-3-2005, you wrote:
Stefan wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
http://www.oldcomputercollection.com
Can anybody give me any information about this
drive ?
http://bitsavers.org/pdf/qume/ 
2:11 p.m.
From: "Stefan" <birs23 at zeelandnet.nl>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 11:16 AM
Thanks!
Hmm so, am I correct to think I could connect this quite simply to a
FDADAP floppy disk adapter ?
Would I need anything else ?
Stefan.
<snip>
What are you trying to do with it?
While technically it can be connected to most any desktop PC there are some
very important things to keep in mind:
It is extremely similar to 5.25" HD drives there are some important
differences including but not limited to number of tracks, the 8" drive only
has 77 tracks.
Most modern PC's can not handle FM data (single density).
If you are want to use it as another MSDOS drive I do not recommend it. Once
formatted MS/PC DOS will read/write to it without any problems. The
standard formatter will NOT work, after the 77th track the standard DOS
formatter will try to continue to step out which can damage the drive.
Some PC's may see it as only 40 tracks and not recognize that it handles
"high-density" 500kbs.
If you are trying to read/write classic disks such as CP/M disks you may
find you need to be able to handle FM.
To get around the FM "problem" there are several existing solutions:
Buy a catweasel mk4.
Find an older PC, many handle FM just fine but only trial and error will let
you know. Some older add-on cards work with FM including some Adaptec ISA
SCSI controllers with a floppy disk port.
It may help to build a list of systems/boards that handle FM. I use a
Compaq Prolinea 575e (P100).
You will need a 34 to 50 pin cable. The pin-out is available on my website.
Randy
www.s100-manuals.com
2:50 p.m.
New subject: Handling FM disks on PC's
I would like to make a list of cards/computers that can handle FM.
I have two Compaq Prolinea 575e's (P100's) that work.
Of course the Compati-cards are FM compatible.
Can everyone that knows they have a setup that works please respond and tell
what they use, please include the exact model number.
When complete I will post the list on my website.
Thanks,
Randy
www.s100-manuals.com
5:17 p.m.
At 20:11 15-3-2005, you wrote:
I have whole piles of various 8" floppies and I just want to read them, I
dont perse need to write anything (nice to have but not necessary).
Hmm so, am I
correct to think I could connect this quite simply to a
FDADAP floppy disk adapter ?
Would I need anything else ?
Stefan.
<snip>
What are you trying to do with it? Buy a catweasel mk4.
Was planning on buying one already so.
Find an older PC, many handle FM just fine but only
trial and error will
let you know. Some older add-on cards work with FM including some Adaptec
ISA SCSI controllers with a floppy disk port.
It may help to build a list of systems/boards that handle FM. I use a
Compaq Prolinea 575e (P100).
Have plenty of old controllers so should I have FDADAP I could perhaps make
a list of which work and which dont. Hmm and ehmm, P100 old ? :)
You will need a 34 to 50 pin cable. The pin-out is
available on my website.
Well the FDADAP should also take care of that shouldn't it ?
5:42 p.m.
From: "Stefan" <birs23 at zeelandnet.nl>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 4:17 PM
At 20:11 15-3-2005, you wrote:
I have whole piles of various 8" floppies and I just want to read them, I
dont perse need to write anything (nice to have but not necessary).
If you already have the FDADAP then it's done, many 8" drives don't need
TG43 (and none if you only want to read).
If you don't already have an FDADAP you may not need it often just a 34 to
50 pin cable does it.
Older 8" drives (funny to call one 8" drive older than another) needed a
signal to know when it was writing past track 43 for reduced write current.
Later drives were "smart" enough to know for themselves. This only applies
to writing during reads this is ignored.
The FDADAP has a PIC that keeps track of the current track to know when to
assert (ground) TG43, for $40.00 it handles more drives than just a cable
when writing plus the wiring is done for you.
Randy
www.s100-manuals.com
Hmm so, am
I correct to think I could connect this quite simply to a
FDADAP floppy disk adapter ?
Would I need anything else ?
Stefan.
<snip>
What are you trying to do with it? Buy a catweasel mk4.
Was planning on buying one already so.
Find an older PC, many handle FM just fine but
only trial and error will
let you know. Some older add-on cards work with FM including some Adaptec
ISA SCSI controllers with a floppy disk port.
It may help to build a list of systems/boards that handle FM. I use a
Compaq Prolinea 575e (P100).
Have plenty of old controllers so should I have FDADAP I could perhaps
make a list of which work and which dont. Hmm and ehmm, P100 old ? :)
You will need a 34 to 50 pin cable. The pin-out
is available on my
website.
Well the FDADAP should also take care of that shouldn't it ?
6:03 p.m.
Sounds like a good project when I have moved hehe :)
Thanks guys!
At 23:42 15-3-2005, you wrote:
From: "Stefan" <birs23 at
zeelandnet.nl>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 4:17 PM
-------------------------------------------------------
http://www.oldcomputercollection.com
At 20:11 15-3-2005, you wrote:
I have whole piles of various 8" floppies and I just want to read them, I
dont perse need to write anything (nice to have but not necessary).
If you already have the FDADAP then it's done, many 8" drives don't need
TG43 (and none if you only want to read).
If you don't already have an FDADAP you may not need it often just a 34 to
50 pin cable does it.
Older 8" drives (funny to call one 8" drive older than another) needed a
signal to know when it was writing past track 43 for reduced write
current. Later drives were "smart" enough to know for themselves. This
only applies to writing during reads this is ignored.
The FDADAP has a PIC that keeps track of the current track to know when to
assert (ground) TG43, for $40.00 it handles more drives than just a cable
when writing plus the wiring is done for you.
Randy
www.s100-manuals.com Hmm so, am
I correct to think I could connect this quite simply to a
FDADAP floppy disk adapter ?
Would I need anything else ?
Stefan.
<snip>
What are you trying to do with it? Buy a catweasel mk4.
Was planning on buying one already so.
Find an older PC, many handle FM just fine but
only trial and error will
let you know. Some older add-on cards work with FM including some
Adaptec ISA SCSI controllers with a floppy disk port.
It may help to build a list of systems/boards that handle FM. I use a
Compaq Prolinea 575e (P100).
Have plenty of old controllers so should I have FDADAP I could perhaps
make a list of which work and which dont. Hmm and ehmm, P100 old ? :)
You will need a 34 to 50 pin cable. The pin-out
is available on my website.
Well the FDADAP should also take care of that shouldn't it ?
5:40 p.m.
Stefan wrote:
Hmm so, am I correct to think I could connect this
quite simply to a
FDADAP floppy disk adapter ?
Yes.
Would I need anything else ?
Power supply, cables.
If you want to read single density, a PC with a single-density-capable
floppy disk controller. Many aren't, and the only sure way to tell
is to try it.
Eric
11:59 a.m.
On Tue, 15 Mar 2005, Eric Smith wrote:
If you want to read single density, a PC with a
single-density-capable
floppy disk controller. Many aren't, and the only sure way to tell
is to try it.
Speaking of which, what's a good test to try if you don't have a known FM
encoded disk?
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
[ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage Computers ]
[ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at http://marketplace.vintage.org ]
16 Mar
16 Mar
12:54 p.m.
New subject: Testing disk controller for FM compatability was Re: Qumetrak 242 drive
From: "Vintage Computer Festival" <vcf at siconic.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:59 AM
On Tue, 15 Mar 2005, Eric Smith wrote:
Programs like anadisk & 22disk will give errors if you try to format at disk
with FM encoding if the controller doesn't support it.
Also when you do format it you can run anadisks scan to check it out.
FM works on 3.5" disks (all standard media will allow formatting in FM) so
you can test your controller without having to connect any other drives
Randy
www.s100-manuals.com
If you want to read single density, a PC with a
single-density-capable
floppy disk controller. Many aren't, and the only sure way to tell
is to try it.
Speaking of which, what's a good test to try if you don't have a known FM
encoded disk?
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer
Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger
http://www.vintage.org
[ Old computing resources for business || Buy/Sell/Trade Vintage
mputers ]
[ and academia at www.VintageTech.com || at
http://marketplace.vintage.org ]
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10 comments
4 participants
participants (4)
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birs23＠zeelandnet.nl -
cctalk＠randy482.com -
eric＠brouhaha.com -
vcf＠siconic.com