Altos 580 and CP/M-MP/M Again.

From: Richard Erlacher <edick_at_idcomm.com>
Date: Tue Apr 23 20:58:59 2002

Under CP/M, IIRC (it's been a while) all you have to do is low-level format
the drive with the sector size the software expects, then write 0xE5 to every
byte on it. That's easy if not quick, and leaves you with a useable disk,
provided you've got the right sector size.

As I said before, I do believe the '580 I once had (2 boxes, of which one was
a tape drive ... I gave it to Will Jennings for the taking) had a quantum
Q-540 in it. That one had 8 heads, which is why I snagged the thing. The
drive didn't work, nowever, nor did a functional CMI-6640.

I didn't try a 225 ...

Have you tried different sector sizes? How about different numbers of sectors
per track?

Dick

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doc" <doc_at_mdrconsult.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2002 4:31 PM
Subject: Re: Altos 580 and CP/M-MP/M Again.


> On Tue, 23 Apr 2002, Richard Erlacher wrote:
>
> > What, exactly, do you mean by "partitioning and making a filesystem?"
>
> Most OS's won't write data to a raw low-level-formatted drive. You
> have to define filesystems - partition the drive - and then _make_ the
> filesystem - "format" in WinSpeak. I have no idea what's required on
> the Altos. That's why I asked.
>
> > Are you sure you've used the correct sector size and number of sectors per
> > track? The only Altos 580 I've dealt with had a Quantum 540. It's
possible
> > that the firmware won't support a 6-head drive.
>
> I do tend to do my homework. It'll be OK with me if the firmware
> doesn't support a 6-head drive, since the ST225 is a 4-head. I found a
> couple of references to running that drive on the 580, so I'm pretty
> sure it's user error.
>
> Doc
>
>
Received on Tue Apr 23 2002 - 20:58:59 BST