rb@houxn.UUCP (10/03/83)
Interesting info regarding the use of PERCOM double
sided drives and OS/A +...
When using the PERCOM double sided/double density drives
with OS/A+ I noticed some discrepancies in the formatting.
Upon getting nowhere with PERCOM (Flame dept.....They have NO
interest in supplying technical info to users), I solicited
help from OSS.
End result---a bug in the PERCOM firmware was explained! It turns
out that when using PERCOMs in double sided mode
the last sector is always lost! In addition, they format the last
three sectors (Mirroring the first three) in single density format
when using double density. Hence in double sided mode, you lose either
1 or 4 sectors depending on density.
OS/A+ V4.1 corrected for the PERCOM bug by masking off the last 4 sectors
in the VTOC after formatting. Only when confronted by this info from OSS
did the techies at PERCOM 'fess up!.
They admitted to a replacement ROM to fix their bug being available for a
nominal charge (I still don't see why I have to pay to fix THEIR bug?!)
OSS also stated that release 4.2 of OS/A+ will soon be available for a $10.00
update fee...which I sent and am waiting for..In addition to correcting
minor bugs, an enhancement to use 810's which I requested of Bill Wilkinson
last year is being incorporated.
I have only kind words to say for OSS and all their products....not so
nice things to say for PERCOM! For a company to only admit to a bug
in their hardware under duress, and try to sluff it off on the
software, especially when they KNOW it's their fault is unconscionable!
They wasted more of MY time than was necessary.
Rob Botwin
.....houxn!rb
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