pes@ux63.bath.ac.uk (Paul Smee) (06/29/87)
Well, at long last we've got a 3.5 inch drive for one of our IBM/PCs. I've
determined the following.. Using a disk formatted on the IBM, you can
write files on the IBM to be read by the ST, and you can write files on the
ST to be read by the IBM. At least as far as I tried it, you can 'mix and
match'. That is, you can write some files on the IBM, add some more on the
ST, add some more on the IBM, and so on, and everything works. (Though
NOTE, keeping Moshe's comments in mind, so far I've only tryed playing
with files on the ROOT of the disk. Haven't tried folders/subdirectories.
As an experiment, I tried putting some files (on the ST) onto a STANDARD ST
formatted disk (formatted from the desktop menu command). As rumoured, the
PC could not cope with this disk. However, our PC guru determined that by
patching 4 bytes in the disk header, the disk could be made to work on the
PC. These were (all values in HEX):
offset in boot sector (sector 0) change
00 from 00 to EB
01 from 00 to 34
02 from 4E to 90
36 from 4E to FA
(Again, note that's 36 HEX.) The first 3 bytes are a JUMP instruction for
an 8086 family micro. It is possible that this change might mean you could
not BOOT from this disk on the ST. Byte 36 is the 'media description byte'
for a 720K (formatted) disk. A different value is probably required if you
are using a single sided disk (we tried DS). The Atari can happily read the
patched disk.
Cheers, Paulsfn20715@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (05/07/89)
I need a patch that allows STs to _write_ to IBM disks (and allow the
IBM to read from it later!). I know there are several versions of programs
to do this out there, but am at a loss as to where to look.
Have they been placed on any remote servers like terminator that I could
FTP from? What is the filename?
Anyone want to uload one if they're not already there? (Grovel Grovel)
Thanks in advance for any info.
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//-o-\\ Keep your shields up!
____---=======---____
====___\ /.. ..\ /___==== (Thanks to the artist)
// ---\__O__/--- \\ sfn20715@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
\_\ /_/ s norton/honors/cerllatornell@MECH.UBC.CA (Doug Latornell) (05/10/89)
From: ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!sfn20715@uxc.cso.uiuc.edu Subject: IBM Disks
To: info-atari16@score.stanford.edu john@stag.UUCP (John Stanley) (05/10/89)
[sfn20715@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu writes...] > I need a patch that allows STs to _write_ to IBM disks (and allow the > IBM to read from it later!). I know there are several versions of programs > to do this out there, but am at a loss as to where to look. What makes you think your ST needs a patch to read/write IBM disks??? Just format the disks on the IBM and use them...! :^) If the program you're using can do it, for maximum safety when switching between two IBM formatted disks on the ST, insert an ST formatted disk and get a directory of it before inserting a new IBM disk. This prevents the ST from thinking the two different IBM disks are the same disk and writing incorrect FAT/directory information to the 2nd disk. That's it... -Your- patch (written in english) is now complete.. :^) ... John STanley --- John Stanley <dynasoft!john@stag.UUCP> Software Consultant / Dynasoft Systems