Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!usc!apple!HyperMail.apple.com!jeffh
From: jeffh@HyperMail.apple.com (Jeff Holcomb)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Roll your own Apple floppy drives. Possible?
Message-ID: <11420@goofy.Apple.COM>
Date: 4 Dec 90 17:23:24 GMT
References: <kFRdK6c@quack.sac.ca.us>
Sender: usenet@Apple.COM
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.
Lines: 22

In article <kFRdK6c@quack.sac.ca.us> mrapple@quack.sac.ca.us (Nick Sayer) 
writes:
> How difficult is it to go to, for example, Fry's and pick up
> a 3.5" bare drive mechanism (or 5.25") and hook it up to
> my Apple smartport? Does it matter tremendously that such drives
> don't usually have self-eject mechanisms? Can anyone recommend
> a course of action on this idea?

I think it would be impossible.  The Apple 3.5" drive uses a Sony 
mechanism, but if you take it apart, it has a small board at the back of 
the drive that has one or two custom Apple chips.  AE had to essentially 
duplicate that converter board in order to get the Sony HD mechanism to 
work on the GS (or Mac).

___________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Holcomb                 Internet: jeffh@HyperMail.apple.com
                            AppleLink: jeffh@HyperMail.apple.com@INTERNET#
                                GEnie: A2.JEFFH
Contracting for Apple ATG       Voice: (408) 974-0841

         My opinions are not necessarily those of Apple.  :-P
___________________________________________________________________________