DD vs QD (Was: Re: FAQ updates/changes)

From: Scott Walde <scott_at_saskatoon.com>
Date: Wed May 21 18:27:21 1997

On Wed, 21 May 1997, Bill Whitson wrote:

> > > 7.3 Can these formats be interchanged?
> > >
> > > Quad Density High Density
> >
> > No! The media _is_ different magnetically. Quad density (80trk 5.25"
> > disks
> > with about 700-800K capacity) drives will not reliably work with high
> > density (1.2Mbyte) media. Please don't do it.
>
> Hrm. I have done this rather successfully in the past. I know the
> media
> is different (ferrite vs. cobalt, I think) but I have formatted and used
> HD disks in a QD drive without problems. At the same time I have found
> problems using a HD in a DD drive. I'll remove this piece to prevent
> problems but given the relative rarity of QD disks I'm interested to
> know if anyone else has found this to work.

I've actually had very little problem using _good_quality_ 360k (DSDD)
disks in my Tandy 2000, which has a 720k drive (DSQD). I believe the
magnetic material was the same from the DD to QD, just packed
tighter/finer(?). Am I wrong?

ttfn
srw
Received on Wed May 21 1997 - 18:27:21 BST