Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!zardoz.cpd.com!tmiuv0!rick
From: rick@tmiuv0.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: A simple question about 3.5" disks.
Message-ID: <1151@tmiuv0.uucp>
Date: 2 Jan 91 16:16:54 GMT
References: <90340.142716IO00844@MAINE.BITNET>
Organization: Technology Marketing Inc., Irvine, CA
Lines: 26

In article <90340.142716IO00844@MAINE.BITNET>, IO00844@MAINE.BITNET (Zero Batzell) writes:
> On what track is the directory located on a 3.5" disk? (Having had experience w
> ith 5.25" disks before upgrading to an amiga, I DO know that the directory on a
>  5.25" disk is located on track 18.).  Also, I am interested in any other infor
> mation having to do with the internals of 3.5" disks.         (((ZERO)))

It really isn't tied to the diskette itself, it's the file system used by
the operating system that determines where directories go.  Old CP/M guys
(even with 5.25" disks) usually had the directory on the lower tracks (0
through whatever).  AmigaDOS puts the primary directory on one of the
middle tracks I think (I can't remember, I just finished a 10MB port of
non-ANSI C on VAX/VMS to 386 Unix so my brain is tapioca right now).

However, the first part of my statement is correct, the diskette form factor
doesn't determine where the directories are -- it's all the OS's job.  Heck,
on Unix, diskettes don't even NEED a directory if they're used for tar
use.  They only need them if the diskette is to be mounted as a file system.
 
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[- O] Rick Stevens
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