[net.micro] Floppy Disk Protection

ordy@cwruecmp.UUCP (Greg Ordy) (10/13/83)

	I have been asked to post the following request. Please
mail me any replies, and they will be forwarded.

	Our undergraduate 'Personal Computer Lab', which is based
around 75 DEC PRO 350 machines, is starting to have problems with
floppy disk reliability. That is, the useful life of a floppy disk
in the hands of a student is less than 1 semester. They are interested
in any comments on increasing floppy disk lifetime. Because
the floppies are formatted in a special way (to preserve DECs market),
there is not the usual choice of vendors, and only DEC and somebody
else (Verbatim?) makes disks that work (5.25", SS, quad den. 96 tpi).

	They would ideally like to prepare a set of guidelines that
increase the lifetime of the disks. They are looking into things
like the little protection rings for the disk hub. Are those useful?
What about the debate on head cleaning?

	Thanks for any information.

	Greg Ordy
	decvax!cwruecmp!ordy
	ordy@case (CSnet)