Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!lll-winken!uunet!zephyr.ens.tek.com!tektronix!percy!nosun!techbook!fzsitvay
From: fzsitvay@techbook.com (Frank Zsitvay)
Newsgroups: comp.os.cpm
Subject: uniform and 8 inch cpm formats on AT controllers
Message-ID: <1990Dec12.101626.16284@techbook.com>
Date: 12 Dec 90 10:16:26 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: TECHbooks of Beaverton Oregon - Public Access Unix
Lines: 41


   well, after a little experimentation, it seems that uniform
DOES know how to massage an AT disk controller (HD) to produce
8 inch disk formats.   however, i do not know if the formats it
produces are readable on 8 inch machines.  all i did was install
my dsqd 5.25 inch drive as an 8 inch dsdd drive, and try the 8 inch
formats.   it does format the 5.25 inch drive as either 77 or 154
tracks (depending on single or double sided formats) and it can
read its own formats.   now, to find out for sure if you can use
an AT floppy port, I (or someone who has a spare floppy) will have to
wire up an 8 inch drive to the 5.25 inch controller and see if
it really does work.

i had a file around here that showed how to wire a HD drive to an
8 inch port, and imagine that i'll have to use the same cable
for the 8 inch drive to 5.25 inch controller.  problem is, it's
buried in a couple boxes of 8 inch cp/m disks and i don't relish
the thought of spelunking into that box to find it.  besides, since
there are probably other people on the net that want this information,
could someone be so kind as to post that file for us??

also, if anyone has any comments or suggestions concerning making a
cable for this, feel free to add to the discussion.  i'm going to
have to visit the library sometime later in the week and see what
signals on the interface will have to go where, and work from that,
but if someone knows it off of the top of their head, it would
save me a trip into downtown portland, something i also do not
relish.

and lastly, if someone does try this and get it working, please let
everyone else know of your success, and perhaps even post some
tips on getting it all to work.

but it looks like the hard part is over.  uniform does know how to
work a HD controller.


-- 
fzsitvay@techbook.COM - but don't quote me on that....

American Oil Company motto - Bend over, We'll pump!!!