Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!snorkelwacker!bloom-beacon!eru!luth!sunic!tut!santra!mcsun!ukc!acorn!moncam!emmo
From: emmo@moncam.co.uk (Dave Emmerson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: XT/AT hard disk compatibility?
Summary: Go ahead..
Message-ID: <335@marvin.moncam.co.uk>
Date: 29 Dec 89 15:21:30 GMT
References: <20449@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
Organization: Monotype ADG, Cambridge, UK
Lines: 31

In article <20449@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>, ARRITT@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu  writes:
> [deleted]
> 
> My hoped-for, least-cost course of action is:
>     
>     --- buy a new hard disk for the Leading Edge;
>     --- eventually scrape together the $$$ to buy a new system but
>         without a hard disk;
>     --- cannibilize the (replacement) hard disk from the Leading Edge,
>         install it and a 16-bit controller in the new system, then reformat
>         the disk and live happily ever after.
> 
> Will this work?  Any other suggestions for someone trying to compute on
> a VERY tight budget?
> 
With some very minor reservations, Yes it will work.
You didn't mention which controller board you are using, nor the DOS
version, but generally, if your new disk is 32Mb or less, you're not
likely to have any problems.
It's worth mentioning that you don't HAVE to use a 16 bit controller card 
when you move up to a '286/386 system, an 8 bit card will work fine, it's
just slower than a 16 bit card. You won't HAVE to re-format it when you
upgrade either, though it would be a good time to do it to de-fragment
the filing system. DON'T re-format it until you have seen it working on
the new system, it can save a lot of guesswork if anything goes wrong!

For me, this hardware portability is one of the few attractions of the PC.

Good luck,

Dave E.