Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!rutgers!cunixf.cc.columbia.edu!shibuya.cc.columbia.edu!lasner From: lasner@shibuya.cc.columbia.edu (Charles Lasner) Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec.micro Subject: Re: Rainbow EchoMail Digest Summary: Maxell floppy experiences on RX-50 Keywords: RX50 Message-ID: <1991Apr11.203616.2458@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> Date: 11 Apr 91 20:36:16 GMT References: Sender: Charles Lasner Reply-To: lasner@shibuya.cc.columbia.edu (Charles Lasner) Organization: Columbia University Lines: 23 Nntp-Posting-Host: shibuya.cc.columbia.edu I have used the DEC pre-formatted RX50K and the Maxell MD1DD-RX50 pre-formatted diskettes on the DECmate II extensively. The Maxell disks are *clearly* superior to DEC's offering. This is seemingly contrary to other's reports, but there is a proper explanation: The Maxell disks really are MD1DD that are formatted and tested as RX50 format. One side, 10 sectors, 80 tracks. Maxell's formulation for DD disks is quite different from their formulation for D disks. That extra D in MD1DD matters. Years ago, I experienced similar problems with the Victor 9000 attempting to use Maxell MD1D or MD2D where MD1DD or MD2DD is needed. The "quad" density formulation is just enough different that using the wrong one leads to unreliable operation. Note that Maxell MDxDD media is getting quite expensive these days also. Best price/performance is to use someone else's equivalent of MDxD such as 3M or even Fuji. Fuji makes disks with integral hub rings that can't slip and ruin the diskette registration. Remember, the RX50, like an HD diskette is 96 TPI, *not* 48 TPI, so there are 80 tracks in that 5/6 of an inch that's formatted. Charles Lasner (lasner@watsun.cc.columbia.edu home of KERMIT-12 and other fine KERMITs)