Sharp MZ-80B boot disk

From: Fred Cisin <cisin_at_xenosoft.com>
Date: Thu Dec 19 13:30:00 2002

> > I meant to say that on the Apple ][ a malfunctiong disk controller could
> > override write protect, even on a non-malfunctioning drive. THAT is the
> > special unique feature.

On Thu, 19 Dec 2002 vance_at_neurotica.com wrote:
> IBM PS/2's usually read and write low-density disks high-density.

The lack of a "media density sensor" is inexcusable.
'Course there were some who thought that was a "feature", since they could
then take a perfectly good 600 oerstedt ("720K") diskette, and turn it
into a poor quality 750 oerstedt ("1.4M")


But I still think that that is less egregious than having write-protect
processed externally from the drive. Although any write-protect system
CAN (and will?) malfunction, having it done by circuitry on the
controller, without letting the drive control it, is irresponsible.
Received on Thu Dec 19 2002 - 13:30:00 GMT