Conference 7.286::atarist

Nope.

The ST will actualy format 2HD disks (at least it claims it does) but only at
the old 720kb size. The BIG problem is that once you start using the disks
(copying files to and from) they quickly become corrupted (at least the one I
tried). I assume they must require a stronger magnetic flux to
properly/permanently write to them.

	Ray

    
    Hi,
    
    I would concur with Ray, using the "Quad "density 1.2 MB IBMstyle high
    density disks is DANGEROUS (Datawise), I also lost data trying to use
    these disks. I believe the oxide formulation is so different, grain
    size, permittivity, etc, that the normal drives in the ST range, cannot
    cope with the disks reliably.
    
    Why use them, (unless they fell into your hand), they are much more
    expensive to buy !
    Cheers
    
    Pat K.

    Hi Folks!
    
    The German magazine ST-Computer currently has a hardware project
    enabling the ST to use HD-disks. They are formatted using a special
    program and use 15 sectors (5�") or 18 sectors (3�") per track [hint:
    this shows some coincidence with the values used by certain other
    computers, so they are compatible!]. All hardware needed is one
    TTL-chip and a new oscillator for the floppy controller [used outside
    it's spec, but working].
    
    The issues are 1/90 and 2/90.
    
    Before I forget: You need some external hardware too: A disk drive
    capable of using HD disks, like the one in my ST :-)
    
    Jens

    Recently I went to a computer show in Boxboro where one of the
    attractions was a device that "cut" a hole in a standard 3 1/2"
    floppy so that it could be used as a HD floppy. Some of the people
    that I talked to there had one and used it all the time. They did
    not seem to notice any degradation of quality.
     I usually but my floppies in bulk and the last order that I received
    had 50 of the HD floppies at the same price. I have been using them
    for about 3 weeks so far and have not had any problems. Mabey there
    will be trouble with long term storage. Anyway I will give them
    a rigorous workout this weekend and see if they fail.

    
    Hi,
    
    I think its very much of a case of mix and match. Some floppies give
    high output, others low, combined witht the quality of the read amps
    and data separators in your floppy drive, may or may not work!
    
    I know my Citizen Floppy drive dies on all the HD disks I have fed it!
    
    Cheers
    Pat K.

    
    HD media has a higher coercivity than "normal" media.
    
    This media requires the higher write current used in the HD drives.
    
    The problem is that the low density drive does not have this high
    write current so cannot record on the HD media.
    
    The even bigger problem is that the HD drive can record on the low
    density media.
    
    The problem is that it records with too high a write current, and
    the media being low coercivity records whacking great magnets.....
    
    and being low coercivity the magnets eventualy erase one another,
    or attract one another, either way this destroys your data, it just
    takes a little time......

    so be warned dont use "normal" media for that valuable backup in
    your HD drive.
    
    Best of luck Chris Chandler.
    
    

    I have been using the HD disks that I mentioned last Feb as scratch
    disks for transferring files and temporary storage quite a bit.
    I have not had any problems yet. I had put a few things on them
    last Feb and tried them this week and so far they still read. 
    so for short term stuff they worked fine for me as for long term
    mabey it will take a little longer to tell.
    						BA