Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!mcnc!decwrl!ucbvax!SSCTEMP.SAS.UPENN.EDU!theall From: theall@SSCTEMP.SAS.UPENN.EDU (George A. Theall) Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: Rainbow EchoMail Digest Message-ID: Date: 10 Apr 91 20:54:42 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 153 Rainbow EchoMail Digest Apr 10, 1991 In this issue: RE: FLOPPY INFO (2 messages) FLOPPY INFO (2 messages) MS-DOS 3.10 OR LATER FOR Articles posted to either INFO-DEC-MICRO or comp.sys.dec.micro are currently gatewayed to the Rainbow Echo on FidoNet. You do not need to take special action to respond to articles in these digests. Please send reports of problems or suggestions for improvement of this digest to GTHEALL@PENNDRLS.UPENN.EDU (Internet). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 8 Apr 91 07:29 -0500 From: HOWARD HALL To: GEORGE THEALL Subject: RE: FLOPPY INFO >GT What kind/brand/type of diskettes does one recommend for the >GT DEC RAINBOW: I've casually tried a bunch of diskettes and have >GT had no luck .................. A few of the brands I have used/am using, in alphabetical order: Digital, Maxell, Memorex, Nashua, Sony, vanilla, Xerox, .... I can't say I have a particular preference. All the above have worked on my RB, some after having been formatted on other machines, others with no original format of any kind. I use three different styles of format on my disks, since I need a supply ready to use on an IBM as well as a supply for the RB. And since I work back and forth between the systems, the third stlye is IBM single-sided to provide data portability. I add a notation to the (stick-on) disk label saying IBM DOUBLE-SIDED, IBM SINGLE-SIDED, or RAINBOW so that I know at a glance which category each disk fits. The 'vanilla' diskettes are exceedingly reasonable in price if you buy in one thousand (1000) disk batches. The quantities available are 100, 500, or 1000. The diskettes come in a plastic bag, sleeves are included in the bag, as are write-protect tabs. The diskettes are NOT inserted in the sleeves, though the sleeves are there. The only connection I have with the company involved is an occasional catalog (I'm looking at the March '91 issue at the moment). You should be able to get current info on prices, etc. by calling MEI/Micro Center at 1-800-634-3478. The prices quoted will be between 20 cents and 30 cents per disk, plus shipping (approx. another penny/disk), with a separate price for each of the above quantities. Have fun! hlh - --- Opus-CBCS 1.14 * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md - 301-622-2247 (1:109/417.0) ------------------------------ Date: 7 Apr 91 12:58 -0500 From: BOB SMITH To: GEORGE THEALL Subject: FLOPPY INFO Any DS/DD or SS/DD disk will work. I would not use cheap disk for important information (get a name brand). The HD are not good for the rainbow (different oxide). You will need the FORMAT program from MSDOS 2.11 or 3.x to format the IBM media, for the rainbow. If you have trouble with drive to drive interchangeability you need to run GGRPM (CPM program) and adjust the speed of your drives. - --- msged 2.07 * Origin: Bob's_point of Cuckoo's Nest : Hudson, NH (1:132/119.4) ------------------------------ Date: 9 Apr 91 02:53 -0500 From: NOLAN LEE To: GEORGE THEALL Subject: RE: FLOPPY INFO The Rainbow uses a DEC disk called an RX-50K, I think. The RX-50K is >> supplied with a strange, low-level format already applied to it. You can >> create this format on any HD and most DD disks if you have some of the >> support programs for CCPM-86. GT>If memory serves, I think I used the /e switch on floppy with GT>MS-DOS 2.11-1, last DOS provided by DEC for the 'bow... No idea GT>how to do it with S.S. DOS 3.10-B. To format a new disk with MS-Dos 3.10b you use the /I switch. Format A: /I for example. This initiallizes the new disk. After thats been done the first time, a plain Format command will handle the disk unless its been bulk erased of course. Nolan - --- QM v1.00 * Origin: Washington/St.Tammany Connection (1:390/5.0) ------------------------------ Date: 9 Apr 91 06:04 -0500 From: FRANK MALLORY To: ALAN RASKIND Subject: MS-DOS 3.10 OR LATER FOR AR> Does anybody know if DEC ever officially released MS-DOS 3.1 or a later AR> version for the Rainbow? There are some programs that require ver. 3 AR> or later and it would be nice to get a copy if it is available and bug AR> free. No, it was not "officially released" by DEC. They sold the program and certain rights to a company called Suitable Solutions, who sold it commercially for awhile. I believe it is currently available through the IRUG. It is pretty much bug-free. The latest version (3.10b) gives a lot better PC compatibility but requires an updated version of Code Blue as well. - --- msged 1.99L MSC * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 (1:109/417) ------------------------------ Date: 9 Apr 91 06:08 -0500 From: FRANK MALLORY To: GEORGE THEALL Subject: FLOPPY INFO GT> What kind/brand/type of diskettes does one recommend for the GT> DEC rainbow? I've casually tried a bunch of diskettes and have had no GT> luck unless they are original DEC diskettes made for the rainbow, or GT> were already working with the rainbow. I've had the best luck with Memorex and 3M. Maxell should be avoided; they won't work at all on some Rainbows. - --- msged 1.99L MSC * Origin: Silver Bullet - Silver Spring, Md. - 301-622-2247 (1:109/417) ------------------------------ End of Rainbow EchoMail Digest ******************************