[misc.wanted] Format an RX50?

spaf@gatech.UUCP (02/20/87)

I have a VaxstationII with an rx50 pair of floppy drives.
Anybody out there know how to format a generic 5.25in disk?
Or do I have to shell out for Dec pre-formatted disks?

(I already know they can be formatted on a Rainbow -- I don't
have one of those around.)
-- 
Gene Spafford
Software Engineering Research Center (SERC), Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332
CSNet:	Spaf @ GATech		ARPA:	Spaf@gatech.EDU
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wyatt@cfa.UUCP (02/20/87)

> Anybody out there know how to format a generic 5.25in disk?
> Or do I have to shell out for Dec pre-formatted disks?

Unless you're extremely strapped for cash, it's probably ultimately cheaper
to buy the already-formatted ones, rather that spending your time formatting.
And, it's certainly much more convienient (assuming you don't run out and
need some NOW).

-- 

Bill    UUCP:  {seismo|ihnp4}!harvard!talcott!cfa!wyatt
Wyatt   ARPA:  wyatt@cfa.harvard.edu
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unllab@amber.berkeley.edu.UUCP (02/25/87)

In article <12412@gatech.EDU> spaf@gatech.EDU (Gene Spafford) writes:
>I have a VaxstationII with an rx50 pair of floppy drives.
>Anybody out there know how to format a generic 5.25in disk?
>Or do I have to shell out for Dec pre-formatted disks?
>
>(I already know they can be formatted on a Rainbow -- I don't
>have one of those around.)
>-- 
>Gene Spafford
>Software Engineering Research Center (SERC), Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332
>CSNet:	Spaf @ GATech		ARPA:	Spaf@gatech.EDU
>uucp:	...!{akgua,decvax,hplabs,ihnp4,linus,seismo,ulysses}!gatech!spaf

The rx50 format is 10 512byte sectors/track, 80 tracks, single sided (stupid)
96 tracks/inch.  The sector header structure is otherwise IBM compatible.
If you hang a 96 tpi floppy on an IBM clone you can write that format by
calling the ROM bios with a nonstandard disk setup.  I have a program that does
that which i can post or mail if there is any demand.

Paul Leondis
unllab@amber.berkeley.edu
...ucbvax!jade!amber!unllab