Apple Floppy Drives (was: More Apple Pimpers)

From: Sellam Ismail <foo_at_siconic.com>
Date: Sat Nov 10 18:57:55 2001

On Thu, 8 Nov 2001 SUPRDAVE_at_aol.com wrote:

> I would think that the only time an alignment would be required is
> when disks written from one drive will not work in another drive
> assuming the rotation speed is the same.

Yep. I only ever had that problem maybe once.

> I did need to have a drive aligned once in 1987 or so when for some
> reason, both the drive AND the controller card went bad. Not knowing
> any better, I tried all my dos3.3 floppies, which hosed the boot
> track, rendering them unusable. Never have fixed those disks yet.
> probably are still readable too.

As long as only the boot track (presuming track 0) was hosed then your
data is 99.9% likely in tact (unless screwed from some other problem).

> Somewhere in my extensive stash of apple goodies, I do have some
> genuine alignment disks but are useless to anyone unless you have an
> ocilloscope hooked up and know what you are doing. Anyone can adjust
> the rotation speed, however.

Yep, all that is needed is a small screwdriver and a copy of Copy ][+.

> I still say the disk ][ was the best disk subsystem around. fast(er)
> and reliable and decent storage I think at 143k.

I agree ;)

Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
Received on Sat Nov 10 2001 - 18:57:55 GMT

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