prindle@NADC.ARPA (Frank Prindle) (06/02/88)
The IBM PC drives cannot read Commodore disks without hardware modifications period. This is due to the encoding method used to make the data on the disks self clocking (GCR vs MFM). The Commodore 1571 drive, when properly programmed (e.g. the Big Blue Reader), can read, write, or format disks for the IBM PC provided that the disk format in question is 40 tracks per inch, double density, MFM encoded - the standard 5.25 inch PC/XT drive. PC/ATs often have drives that support a higher density format which couldn't be read by the 1571, but for compatibility always have at least one drive that can read/write the standard lower density format. If you have a formatted IBM PC diskette with a capacity of approximately 800K, the 1571 can be made to read/write it; but remember there is no standard software either in Commodore 64 DOS, Commodore 128 DOS, or Commodore CP/M 3.0 that will directly access IBM PC format diskettes - it requires a special program in all cases. Sincerely, Frank Prindle Prindle@NADC.arpa