Victor 9000

From: jpero_at_mail.cgo.wave.ca <(jpero_at_mail.cgo.wave.ca)>
Date: Fri Jun 20 05:11:43 1997

> On Thu, 19 Jun 1997, A.R. Duell wrote:
>
> > > Uh, I beg to differ about the Victor 9000 being the first computer to use
> > > variable speed disk drives, as my CBM 2040 dual drive unit from 1979 does
> > > this.
> >
> > No it doesn't (or at least the 8050 doesn't, and nor does the 1541 - I
> > have service manuals for both of them)
> >
> > The disk turns at a constant speed. What changes is the speed of the data
> > clock. The bits are sent faster for the outside tracks, so it can fit more
> > sectors on said tracks.
>
> Interesting. I had read that those drives were variable speed, but from a
> much less reliable source than service manuals. Thanks for the
> clarification!
>
> > I never really saw the point of variable-speed drives. Changing the data
> > clock is a lot easier, and probably faster (getting the spindle
> > up-to-speed and locked at that speed takes considerable time).
>
> Yup, you're right.
>
That true regeading the mass of the flywheel motor on floppy drives
is pretty heavy. Hey, what about the Mac that did still use 4 speed
disk drive, you can hear the differences in speeds made clearly by
formatting a disk.

Jason D.

> > --
> > -tony
> > ard12_at_eng.cam.ac.uk
> > The gates in my computer are AND,OR and NOT, not Bill
>
> Doug Spence
> ds_spenc_at_alcor.concordia.ca
>
>
>
Received on Fri Jun 20 1997 - 05:11:43 BST