720k floppy

From: UberTechnoid <ubertechnoid_at_Home.com>
Date: Fri Dec 28 14:05:46 2001

I use 1.44mb disks converted to 720k (a piece of scotch tape or electrical
tape) on my Atari ST all the time. They work ***JUST*** long enough to move
data between the PC and the ST.

The disks look the same etc, but the media (coating) is different enough for
them not to work reliably. I think this stuff is defined in OARSTEADs or
something like that?

So, if you just need a quick floppy, go right ahead, but expect a lifespan
of minutes or hours at best.

Regards,

Jeff

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris" <mythtech_at_Mac.com>
To: "Classic Computer" <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: 720k floppy


> >Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you simply cover the hole
> >(with tape) on a 1.44mb floppy to make a 720 mb diskette?
> >Obvisously the hole is the one that isn't the write protect
> >one (i.e. doesn't have the slide tab).
>
> I can tell you, ignoring all the "technical" issues, based purely on
> experience... this is a BAD idea. It will work... for a while, but you
> are almost guarenteed that the disk will fail eventually. I don't have
> ANY that have worked long term... and I still do this trick from time to
> time when I need a 720k disk briefly... it is always easier for me to
> just convert a 1.44 then it is for me to dig out a 720k.
>
> They usually work long enough for me to copy a file to and from the
> disk... but within a few reads and writes, it will die. Reformatting will
> refresh it for a few more reads and writes... but again, it will die
> shortly.
>
> So if your data is important, DON'T do this.
>
> There are companies that still sell DD disks brand new, I would just hunt
> one down, and buy a bunch.
>
> -c
>
Received on Fri Dec 28 2001 - 14:05:46 GMT