Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hoptoad!slc
From: slc@hoptoad.uucp (Steve Costa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Floppies vs. Magnetic Fields
Message-ID: <7696@hoptoad.uucp>
Date: 18 Jun 89 15:51:38 GMT
Reply-To: slc@hoptoad.UUCP (Steve Costa)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Presidio Software
Lines: 17


I noticed that various devices on my desktop put out magnetic fields
to one degree or another. The strongest come from the small speakers
attached to a little stereo amp that is attached to my 2000. However
the monitor, DeskJet printer, and telephone also produce fields.

A month or so ago, a floppy that I had left sitting near one of the
speakers had some problems. I was able to retrieve the files on it
with DiskSalv. Is it likely that the field from the speaker did this,
or would magnetic disruption have been so random as to make the data
irretrievable?

In general, it would seem that disks can tolerate mild magnetic
fields, because, using a compass, I detected a field in the vicinity
of my hard drive. I'm concerned about whether it's safe to leave a few
floppies sitting around on top of the desk, near the printer or phone
(but staying away from those speakers).