25 May
1999
25 May
'99
8:59 a.m.
c) On a related machine (I seem to remember Vaxstation
2000s can format
drives for at least one of the standard Q-bus controllers).
Yes, the VS2000 format (and RCT table) is compatible with the RQDX3. You
can do the formatting on the RQDX3 as well, with the right diagnostics.
Of course, there are also machines with floppy drive systems that cannot do
a low-level format. The most classic 8" floppy drive systems (specifically,
the IBM 3740) can't format floppies, for example. There are also 5.25"
floppy drive systems that can't format - for example, the RX50 on a DEC
Q-bus or Unibus controller. (On some Rainbows, it is possible to low-level
format RX50 media directly.)
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927
25 May
25 May
9:09 a.m.
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: text
Size: 1503 bytes
Desc: not available
Url :
http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/attachments/19990525/3e139060/at…
5:51 a.m.
On 25 May 99 at 22:09, Tony Duell wrote:
The 'Bows came in several versions. There was an A and B model at least.
In a Byte mag I have, the reviewer ("Caccia ?") complains about the inability
to format a disk on the preview machine he is testing. Don't know if it was a
hardware or software problem. He eventually got one formatted by a local tech
on another machine.
ciao larry
lwalker(a)interlog.com
Let us know of your upcoming computer events for our Events Page.
t3c(a)xoommail.com
Collectors List and info http://members.xoom.com/T3C
Yes, the
VS2000 format (and RCT table) is compatible with the RQDX3. You
can do the formatting on the RQDX3 as well, with the right diagnostics.
True, but IIRC, the 'right diagnostics' are a lot harder to find tahn a
secondhand Vaxstation 2000...
Of course, there are also machines with floppy drive systems that cannot do
a low-level format. The most classic 8" floppy drive systems (specifically,
the IBM 3740) can't format floppies, for example. There are also 5.25"
floppy drive systems that can't format - for example, the RX50 on a DEC
This is, IMHO, less of a problem. Mainly because there are other
common-ish machines that _can_ do the formatting. 8" 'RX01' floppies can
be formatted in most soft-sector 8" CP/M machines (and a PERQ will not
only do the format, it'll even stick an 'RT11' directory on the disk).
RX50 disks can be formatted in some PCs, or in Rainbows, or in many other
machines.
Q-bus or Unibus controller. (On some Rainbows,
it is possible to low-level
format RX50 media directly.)
You say 'some Rainbows'. I thought this was just a software
consideration, and that the hardware of all 'bows was capable of
formatting blank disks. Since the 'bow disk controller is just a WD179x
chip (IIRC) on one of the micro's buses, it seems hard to figure out a
way to stop it from formatting, although anything is possible.
The common version of CP/M for the 'bow certainly includes a format
command that seems to work on blank disks.
-tony
9343
days inactive
9343
days old
2 comments
3 participants
participants (3)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
CLASSICCMP＠trailing-edge.com -
lwalker＠mail.interlog.com