mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP (Michael R. Volow) (07/20/89)
Need rapid advice from fellow net members. I'm being offered a new Miniscribe 3053 with a WDGEN controller to go into my IBM PC. I'm told that this is a fast access (28 msec) HD; half-height; 40 MB formatted (into two 20 MB partitions). If I buy it I plan to bring my machine to the seller and make sure the disk controller combo work O.K. in my machine before paying. 1. Is it a durable and reliable HD? 2. Is $350 a good price for the disk and controller (WDGEN is an XT type MFM controller that generally retails for $50-$70 I think). 3. I'm told that the combination will work in an XT-type machine. Do you anticipate it will? 4. I understand that this HD is more suited to AT-class machines, but I may use it if I upgrade to '286 or '386 machine later. Should I look for a better bargin on a more modest disk? The 20 meg ST225 that I have now has onl1.5 Meg free, and I have programs I would like to keep on it but can't. 5. I don't think that the disk comes with any partitioning software (such as OnTrack or Disk Manager). Any advice wold be appreciate, as I need to make a decision tomorrow. Thanks in advance. M Volow, VA Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705 mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP 919 286 0411