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From: hdrw@ibmpcug.co.uk (Howard Winter)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.multimedia,comp.misc,connect.audit
Subject: Re: Diffs between DD & HD disks
Message-ID: <1991Apr17.000314.29195@ibmpcug.co.uk>
Date: 17 Apr 91 00:03:14 GMT
Organization: The IBM PC User Group, UK.
Lines: 18

No - you CANNOT reliably use DD disks as HD - especially 5.25".
You can certainly format them (there is no physical indication
of the disk type, as there is with 3.5") but you will find that
the Format program reports about 25% bad sectors.  The inner tracks
just cannot take the density unless they are made of the correct
material - and 360K disks just aren't.  Try writing on sandpaper
(the rough side!) with a pencil - you'll find that it is possible
with fine grades, but the coarser the grit, the less legible the
writing.  It's pretty much the same with magnetic media.
Disks really aren't that expensive - losing data can be priceless!

Howard.
-- 
Automatic Disclaimer:
The views expressed above are those of the author alone and may not
represent the views of the IBM PC User Group.
-- 
hdrw@ibmpcug.Co.UK     Howard Winter     0W21'  51N43'