Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!caip!cbmvax!fred
From: fred@cbmvax.cbm.UUCP (Fred Bowen)
Newsgroups: net.micro.cbm
Subject: Re: 1571 and MFM formats.
Message-ID: <825@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 2-Oct-86 18:11:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: cbmvax.825
Posted: Thu Oct  2 18:11:27 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 4-Oct-86 08:28:59 EDT
References: <12039@watnot.UUCP>
Organization: Commodore Technology, West Chester, PA
Lines: 40

> I'm having a LOT of trouble with reading disks in CP/M mode on the C128.  A
> friend of mine gave me a disk which was formatted Kaypro II on a dedicated
> CP/M machine and I assumed I could read it.  When I try to read it, it (CP/M)
> states that the disk is Kaypro IV and then gives me an I/O error. I have even
> tried formatting Kaypro II with my 1571 but it does the same thing.
...
> I was also wondering if the 1571 also sets up the directory after formatting
> using the burst format MFM command from the manual, and if not, could this be
> the cause of the I/O error (ie. all sectors empty)?
> 
> Incidentally, I think the I/O error from the disk my friend gave me may have
> been caused by the fact that one side was Kaypro II and the other side was
> some other format.


First, the problem you are having with your friend's Kaypro II disk is
a frequent 128 CP/M user's complaint.  Because the 1571 drive cannot tell
the difference between Kaypro II and IV, you must assist it.  When the
prompt KAYPRO IV appears, it is asking you to confirm the format.  If it
is correct, press return.  If it is not (as in your case), press the LEFT
cursor key (the one at the top of the keyboard, not the old c64 one below
the return key) and select the correct format.  Press return when it is
correct.  The format prompt only appears when the drive needs confirmation,
and is not necessary for most other MFM formats.

Second, your reasoning for the errors encountered when reading disks you
have formatted yourself is correct.  They need root and directory info
written to them before CP/M will be happy.  There is a 'new' FORMAT.COM
utility which will prepare many types of MFM disks and write the necessary
root and directory sectors.  It has been placed on several BBS's.

Finally, 'flippy' disks (single-sided formats on both sides of a disk) will
cause the 1571 a lot of grief when it attempts to determine the format.
After a lengthly think-and-blink spell, it usually figures it out.
-- 
Fred Bowen			uucp:	{ihnp4|seismo|caip}!cbmvax!fred
				arpa:	cbmvax!fred@seismo.CSS.GOV
				tele:	215 431-9100

Commodore Electronics, Ltd.,  1200 Wilson Drive,  West Chester,  PA,  19380