Path: utzoo!utdoe!generic!pnet91!ericmcg
From: ericmcg@pnet91.cts.com (Eric Mcgillicuddy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: MS-DOS
Message-ID: <421@generic.UUCP>
Date: 29 Jan 91 07:45:13 GMT
Sender: root@generic.UUCP
Organization: People-Net [pnet91], Etobicoke, ON
Lines: 24

>   I was happy with my understanding that the GS 3.5" drive could not
>read/write MFM until it hit me that the PCT board from AE uses the GS 3.5"
>drive for MS-DOS. Can someone please enlighten me?
>________________________                          _________________________
>|                         ProLine: crew@pro-harvest                         |

The drive itself does not give a damn whether it is writing GCR or MFM data,
it is the controller that handles the encoding. The PCT has an MFM controller
(720k only) whereas the GS has a GCR controller (800k or 400k ). Both
mechanisms are identical regardless of which coding form is used and
regardless of in which machine they are installed. When I still had my PCT, it
used Apple's drive quite nicely without any problems at all.

For the person with Apple II emulator in their IBM, you have the same problem.
The card includes a controller (it had better) for Apple II 5 1/4" drives,
getting one of these is your easiest solution. You can not use your IBM drives
to read Apple disks, although you might be able to put Apple II programs on
IBM formatted disks, you will require utilities from the manufacturer to get
the card to read them.

BTW, adding the Apple II card DID improve your IBM. Significantly.

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