X17914@BBRBFU01.BITNET (07/27/90)
This has been asked before I`m sure.
But... I still need to know.
So, When I run the BASIC "scsi formatter" program, (remember ?)
it searches all SmartPort devices and finds my Unidisk 3.5, afeter asking
for a write-protected disk, the program reports to me:
"This SmartPort has the UniDisk 3.5 Write Protect Bug"
"never put a write protected disk in this SmartPort again."
I want to know:
-Is there really a bug, or is it the program ?
-What is this bug, what does it do ?
-Does it eat disks for breakfast ? (directories , blocks, ....)
-Can I upgrade ? (I can program eprom's)
-Can one find a good one by looking at the serial numbers ?
Thanks.
Robert Jansen
Local Unix and LAN guru (manager ..etc.. etc...)
of the Brussels Free University.
Belgium
Europe
private mail to:
BITNET: X17914@BBRBFU01dlyons@Apple.COM (David A. Lyons) (07/28/90)
In article <9007271207.AA24138@apple.com> X17914@BBRBFU01.BITNET writes: >This has been asked before I`m sure. >But... I still need to know. >So, When I run the BASIC "scsi formatter" program, (remember ?) >it searches all SmartPort devices and finds my Unidisk 3.5, afeter asking >for a write-protected disk, the program reports to me: >"This SmartPort has the UniDisk 3.5 Write Protect Bug" >"never put a write protected disk in this SmartPort again." >[...]-Is there really a bug, or is it the program ? See UniDisk Technical Note #3, revised 11/88 (originally written 9/84) for details. The warning "never put a write-protected disk in again" is probably a little strong. The problem only occurs when an application under ProDOS tries to write -less- than 512 bytes of data to an existing file. It becomes impossible for the application to finish the write or to even close the file. You'll probably wind up having to reboot before you can do anything further with the application. But it won't eat your disk (it can't, it's write protected!). As far as I know, the "UniDisk interface card" ROM was never revised to correct this. If you have a IIgs, no problem. If you have a IIc other than the -first- revision that supported UniDisks, you have no problem. -- David A. Lyons, Apple Computer, Inc. | DAL Systems Apple II Developer Technical Support | P.O. Box 875 America Online: Dave Lyons | Cupertino, CA 95015-0875 GEnie: D.LYONS2 or DAVE.LYONS CompuServe: 72177,3233 Internet/BITNET: dlyons@apple.com UUCP: ...!ames!apple!dlyons My opinions are my own, not Apple's.