atwell@utah-cs.UUCP (07/09/87)
On trying DCFORMAT(Thanks, Mike), I noticed a lot of options exist for formatting disks. You can get the most storage using 82 tracks with 10 sectors but there must be a catch. What is it? Can you get fast mode to work with 10 sectors or does fast depend on a 9 sector format? What about 82 tracks? Does FAST work? Can you damage the drive (are you using a bad part of the diskette) when addressing 82 tracks? Thanks, Bart
exodus@uop.UUCP (Freddy Kreuger) (07/10/87)
In article <4723@utah-cs.UUCP>, atwell@utah-cs.UUCP (Bart L. Atwell) writes: > > formatting disks. You can get the most storage using 82 tracks with 10 > sectors but there must be a catch. What is it? Can you get fast mode ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. Disk copiers (other than DCFORMAT) usually do not like extended formatted disks. If anything, you must copy the disks in 'protected' mode. 2. There are at least two different kinds of drives out there. A friend of mine uses extended a lot and when we passed along disks of PD stuff for my BBS, sometimes my drive couldn't read his disks. So, WARNING: if you use extended format disks, use them only for personal use. 3. Disk manufacturers _do not_ test the disk beyond eighty tracks. As many people know, you can use single-sided disks in double-sided format and you usually have no problems. I _have_ had problems doing that (on my old 800 with the clunky 810 drive and on my ST). So the extended formats are the same- not guaranteed to work. So, CAUTION: do not use extended format disks for important data. 4. Neil Harris doesn't recommend using non-standard formats. SO THERE!! (I have mail from him somewhere that says this...) **Greg Onufer -- Greg Onufer (exodus) 1040ST | Mail: University of the Pacific GEnie: G.ONUFER No less! | UTH c21, Stockton, CA 95211 UUCP: ...!{lll-crg,ucbvax}!ucdavis!uop!exodus 49-6221-76.18.42 (Home-Germany) ...!{ptsfa!cogent,cepu!retix}!uop!exodus (209) 474-1795 (College-USA)
uace0@uhnix2.UUCP (Univ ATARI Comp Enthusiasts) (07/13/87)
In article <4723@utah-cs.UUCP>, atwell@utah-cs.UUCP (Bart L. Atwell) writes: > > On trying DCFORMAT(Thanks, Mike), I noticed a lot of options exist for > formatting disks. You can get the most storage using 82 tracks with 10 > sectors but there must be a catch. What is it? Can you get fast mode > to work with 10 sectors or does fast depend on a 9 sector format? What > about 82 tracks? Does FAST work? Can you damage the drive (are you > using a bad part of the diskette) when addressing 82 tracks? > > Thanks, > > Bart Here is the answer Bart. Some disk drives can only go to 80 tracks. You can hear them go THUMP at the end of the format cycle (when trying to format tracks 81 and 82). Be aware that you may have one of these drives. Personally, I know someone who has one drive that goes to 82 and one that doesn't. There seems to be no clear-cut way to determine if your drive is capable of handling the extra tracks, except by trying it. Yes, you can have 10 sectors, fast format, and 82 tracks. And believe me, it does make a difference. No drive damage can happen. The safest way to go is: If you are making copies for your own use, then use as much as you can get away with 10 sectors 82 tracks single or double. If you are going to be swapping disks with someone, use 80 tracks, 9 sectors, just to be safe. BTW - A color version of DCFORMAT is done and will be posted soon. - Mike -- >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< UACE + A Smith & Wesson beats a four of a kind! + uhnix2!uace0 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<