We choose - Everything you wanted to know about floppy drives, but were afraid to ask.
WE CHOOSE ...
Everything you wanted to know about floppy disk,
BUT were afraid to ask
(C) KVAZAR
"Floppy" - as many in this word
heart-user merged ...
(Unpublished).
When we hear the words: "floppy disk, floppy disk, a
We immediately before his eyes there is a familiar image of the
black (sometimes white, red, green, yellow, etc.), square
envelope with slots into which is placed and, in fact, the disc
itself - round piece of flexible plastic, pokrytyy magnetic
layer capable of storing various information, including our
newspaper.
Everyone knows that the floppy disks - GMD (floppy disks or
floppy disk) are of two types: five inch 133 mm and three-inch -
92 mm. Not so long ago, there were eight-disk,
used in "large" computers, so-called "miniEVM. Now, like
antiques can be found, except that on the roof of any
craftsman, where they successfully fulfill the role of UHF TV
antennas. Already today, three-inch floppy disk and three-inch
drives, actively and universally displace five inch
counterparts. Disadvantages past - are obvious: it's large size
and low degree of protection of magnetic media from mechanical
damage. 5'25 drives require two supply voltages, have a greater
power consumption. All this leads to a reduction in the use of
these drives and floppy disks and of course, sharply reduced
the volume of their production.
Not spared such "Metamorphosis" and spektrumistov for which
five inch drives were originally "native". Due to the
increasing shortage of such disks, an increasing number of
users ZX-SPECTRUM forced to acquire the notorious "tripod" for
which an upgrade is no longer a luxury but a vital necessity.
Indeed, in Gomel for several months already 5'25 diskettes day
the fire will not find, but for those that have wring these
prices ...
3'5 floppy, though relatively expensive (1pc-$ 0.5), but
without drawbacks of its cheaper predecessors, that more than
compensated by material costs. So, today is one no surprise to
the use of such disks and disk drives on SPECCY.
Five inch drives are usually at the top of the envelope
brand identification sticker. On the import discs almost always
specified, the manufacturer, but if such a label is missing,
you should go to buy such a drive with caution. In addition to
the label, except for manufacturer's logo, may be an indication
of important technical information that can help make the right
choice.
First of all, be aware that discs can be unilateral (no
longer available) on the one working surface and bilateral -
two. Currently, all floppy disks are bilateral, they have
simultaneously (!) used the two sides with two heads in the
drive. Accordingly, their capacity two times higher than
unilateral.
The next parameter determines the amount of information
placed on the disc is a recording density. Density is single,
double and quadruple. Diskettes, calculated on double-density
recording can be formatted as a single, but when trying to mark
them on the quadruple density - may be errors.
Imported double density drives are typically labeled
"2S/2D", which means "two parties" (Double Side) and "double
density "(Double Density). There are also other options for
labeling disks of this type:" MD-2-D "," M2D "," MD-2/48 "," DS
/ DD ". In the latter case, twice the recording density
indicates the number of "48." The label of a floppy disk, this
value may be, among other parameters: "48 Tpi" (48 tracks per
inch). Disks quadrupled density, as a rule, are marked "DS /
QD" (Quad Density), or "96 Tri" (96 tracks per inch). If found
marking "2S/2D" combined with "96 Tpi", then drive the "double
density", but it can be formatted as a "quadruple", without the
risk of losing information. It is also found marked "96/100
Tpi", similar to "96 Tri. Sometimes it means "high leaf-HD".
On the ZX-SPECTRUM may be freely used as disks
dual, and quad-density. Practical difference between them, the
average capacity of 640 K: 2-sided, 80 tracks, 2544 sector.
Some programs, such as DCU, RDS, FUT, allow format a floppy
disk on a much larger number of tracks than Standard 80: from
82 to 84, and on some "shovels" models drives even 87 (!). This
makes it possible to obtain a sizeable adding capacity floppy
disks. However, do not use this method, because First: these
extra tracks often may not be readable on other drives, such as
your friend whom you have brought such a disk with fresh toys
as Not all drives support the additional tracks,
and secondly: the readability of these tracks have always left
much to be the best (usually the floppy read at the end is
worse than in the early !!!). Therefore, use this format should
be on the disks for use on one specific computer.
Stand out floppy disks, the so-called "high density",
widely used on PC-compatible machines (1.2 MB). Such
disks are labeled "HD" (High Density): "2S/HD", "MD-2-HD",
"MD-2/96". Distinctive features of these discs are
lack of internal O-ring in the hole for
spindle motor and the darker the magnetic layer. These diskettes
DO NOT WORK The vast majority of Spectrum DRIVE
!!!!!!!!
This is due to the fact that their magnetic layer is made on
dioxide chromium, which has a higher coercive force and
requires a much larger current bias. To use such discs require
special drives to 1.2 megabytes.
Currently, work is underway on the board, allowing read and
write information to such a floppy with a high density up to
1.44 megabytes in conventional disk drives 3'5 inches.
Beginners spektrumisty often commit serious
error using to protect the records in the five inch disks
Transparent labels - such as Scotch tape. Sensors on these
optical drives, so you must use only non-transparent materials.
In "treshechnyh" drives - all the way around. There are
mechanical detectors.
Among the huge range of five inch floppy disk can be
identified a dozen best-known product manufacturers and give
their comparative evaluation.
Higher: BASF EXTRA, FIRST, DEXA, VERBATIM, KODAK, MAXELL, 3M
(Teflon coated). Most preferably,
although quite expensive. Have high stability
completely parameters and high wear resistance.
Good: BASF MEGA, POLAROID, 3M, SONY, TDK, BOEDER BIT-STAR,
UNIMEX, NIPHA, KMT-130, Dialog, JVC, PHILIPS, RPS
...
Somewhat worse than previous ones, but of
sufficient quality
for use on any drive. Quite a mustache
stably to wear.
Average: MAXI-DATA, AMKETTE, MINI-DISK, TANDY, PRECISION, LG,
IBM, KILOBYTES, MASTERDATA, CLAIME, TUNGSRAM, ENER
GO-INFORMATICA, SIGMA. Drives the average quality of
possess an increased number of dropouts.
Depreciation resistance is low. In the most
"hackneyed" dis ket at too intensive use, over
time there is sloughing of the magnetic layer.
Bad: COMP DISK, DISKETTE, Izotov, Electronics. Discs bad
first quality with very low mechanical parameter
mi. Usually do not have a lacquer coating and fast
"Crumble". Due to the high abrasiveness at
operation strongly "rustle", which leads to the
first Interim head wear drive. Some eq
Legal Addresses prone to jamming inside the
envelope. IP use not recommended.
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We choose - Everything you wanted to know about floppy drives, but were afraid to ask.
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