[comp.unix.sysv386] ISC floppy format

richard@octel.UUCP (Richard Karasik) (12/15/90)

Howdy!

 I have noticed a problem when using dos formatted
 disks for unix activities (AND I didnt know there was a
 difference in formatting but there sure seems to be -or 
 my floppy is broken -also a possibility). I dos formatted a floppy, then went
 to unix and tar'd some files to the floppy. When I tried to read them back 
 I got tons of errors -sector missing etc etc. I did this with 3 other diskettes
 all from different manufacturers and got the same results.

 I then issued a unix format to one of the floppies -was told I formatted
 159 tracks (i think they mean 0-159 which is 160 tracks). and the tar worked in both
 directions. Tried the remaining dos formatted diskettes and they crapped out on the
 read -reformatted thenm using the unix format and they all work.

 SO? what gives here ? I didnt think there was a difference in format!
 There didn't used to be when I was using OPUS, or SCO. 

 Any thots? thanks
 RIchard Karasik
 richard@octel.com

cpcahil@virtech.uucp (Conor P. Cahill) (12/18/90)

In article <363@octelb.octel.UUCP> richard@octel.UUCP (Richard Karasik) writes:
>
> SO? what gives here ? I didnt think there was a difference in format!

Other that the fact that there is no DOS logical layout on the floppy, 
there is no differenc.  Writing to the diskette using tar should work
correctly with no problems.  

Perhaps you ran into a diskette alignment difference between the
two drives.  Perhaps the diskette drives are not compatable for
other reasons.


-- 
Conor P. Cahill            (703)430-9247        Virtual Technologies, Inc.,
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fkk@stasys.sta.sub.org (Frank Kaefer) (12/20/90)

richard@octel.UUCP (Richard Karasik) writes:

| I have noticed a problem when using dos formatted
| disks for unix activities
| I dos formatted a floppy, then went
| to unix and tar'd some files to the floppy. When I tried to read them back 
| I got tons of errors -sector missing etc etc.
| I did this with 3 other diskettes
| all from different manufacturers and got the same results.

I am pretty sure that you have a problem with your drive. I often use to by
preformatted disks, and had no problem so far. Maybe your drive has a bad
alignment ?

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Frank.
-- 
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