Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!eutrc3!tuewsd!wsinrn
From: wsinrn@lso.win.tue.nl (Rob J. Nauta)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Formatting 3.5" Diskette
Message-ID: <818@tuewsd.lso.win.tue.nl>
Date: 16 Jan 90 18:50:48 GMT
References: <7439@shlump.nac.dec.com>
Organization: Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
Lines: 17

>F'rinstance, a no-name bulk-erased 50 cent DSDD disk, formatted in HD 
>mode, had more bad than good sectors (what a painful noise the drive 
>made!).  A Maxell "Reliable/Durable" DD disk got about 1.1M, not so
>bad.  Any suggestions for whose DD disks really work HD?
>

I have successfully used SONY 2DD diskettes on a PS/2 model 50, without
any problems. After months still not a bad sector. works great. But I
wouldn't dare it with no-name disks. But if you compare the ratings of
DD and HD 5.25" and 3.5" disks, the difference in magnetic density of HD
disks is more than double with 5.25" disks, but only 20% between HD and DD
disks with 3.5", so good disks that are 20% than minimal (most good ones are)
are good enough. I would never punch a hole in a disk, and I would never
settle for a drive that decides for me which format options I can use, I
want to be in control of that

Rob