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From: kassover@jupiter.crd.ge.com (David Kassover)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Formatting 800k as HD ?!?
Message-ID: <8016@crdgw1.crd.ge.com>
Date: 29 May 90 21:09:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: crdgw1.8016
References: <35018215MES@MSU> <21943@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU> <10957@pucc.Princeton.EDU> <9546.2652d2ce@amherst.bitnet> <34@hite386.UUCP> <30281@cup.portal.com> <7309@jarthur.Claremont.EDU>
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Organization: Aule-Tek, Inc.
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In article <7309@jarthur.Claremont.EDU> mwilkins@jarthur.Claremont.EDU (Mark Wilkins) writes:
...

>  Alright, two questions.
>
> 1) If formatting a DS/DD disk is so dangerous at high density, why don't
>ANY of the drives in the PC clone world check for the presence or absence of
>the hole used to indicate them?
>
> 2) Given (1), why is it that there have been no similar discussions of disk
>failure in the PC clone world, even among people who routinely buy DS/DD
>disks and format them at 1.4MB just because they've never been told any
>differently?


Everyone has his own criteria for magnetic media performance.
Many big service bureaus buy used tapes.  When their error rate
gets unacceptable, they throw them out  (or use them for data
transfer to places that are known for not returning media  8-)

One place I know of spends a ridiculous (to me) amount of energy
on finding sources of tape certified at 800 bpi.  (it's cheaper
that way, they say)


I, on the other hand, want to minimize the chances of having a
data error happen at all, let alone was it backed up.  The reason
for this is that the restore procedure is painful and emotionally
stressing to my staff, and I'd rather not have it happen.


No one stops you from running the cheapest fuel you can find in
your car, either.  On the other hand, eg, running out of fuel far
away from a filling station because you're suddenly getting
3/4'ths your normal mileage isn't terribly much fun, IMHO.

--
David Kassover             "Proper technique helps protect you against
kassover@ra.crd.ge.com	    sharp weapons and dull judges."
kassover@crd.ge.com			F. Collins