Emax

This is somewhat off the subject, but related.
I have always heard and read that formatting a Hig
Density Floppy as single or double sided is not
advised.
Aside from my Emax II, I own several Atari computers
that use single and double sided floppy disks.
I have formatted HD floppy disks as single or
doublesided on a Windows computer in a pinch.
The trick is you need to tape over the hole which
tells the computer it's a high density disk.
As for formatting Emax disks with that DOS based
program goes, I'm not sure you need to tape over the
hole, as it's my understanding that it's the OS, not
the hardware which prevents formating HD floppies as
Low or DD.
Although I'd recommend using DD disks if you can, I
just wanted to point out that I have HD floppies that
I formatted as DD on a PC for use with my Atari
computers that are still good 10 years later. 
The magnetic coating on HD floppies takes more energy
to record on. I've been told that when you format as a
DD, that not enough energy is used, and the disks are
unstable. But, I have as of yet to encounter a
problem. Yet I would not rely on HD disks as a backup,
just as a quick temporary solution when you run out of
DD disks during a session.
Reminder- Always backup your disks, make a set and
store ut a friends house (just incase...).

Bob
--- Gordon JC Pearce <gordonjcp@...> wrote:
> The disk drives from emulatorarchive.com are quite
> expensive.  You need a
> Shugart-compatible drive, which is different from a
> normal PC drive.
> There's details somewhere around for making up a
> cable to convert between
> the types (the pins are slightly different).  Try
> http://www.buchty.net for
> the info, IIRC it's in the Casio FZ-1 section.
> A drive from a Mirage or SQ80 or similar ought to
> work.  You could try an
> early Atari ST drive, it might work.  You might have
> more luck with an Amiga
> drive, I seem to recall that they were Shugart. 
> I've heard it mentioned
> that Emaxes used Apple drives - they don't.
> HTH
>   Gordon.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "julian" <jujulilianan@...>
> To: <emax@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2001 10:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [emax] bad disk drive?
> 
> 
> >
> > From: <ghurd@...>
> >
> > > Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there
> and see if someone
> > > recognizes the symptoms of a floppy drive gone
> bad.
> > >
> > Disk drive head out of alignment.
> > it might possibly be able to read/write its own
> disks, but would have no
> > hope on another drives disks.
> >
> > you can get a new drive from emulatorarchive.com
> >
> >
> >
> > julian
> >
> >
> > This ink is white.
> > This room is filled of bugs.
> > This girl have a beauty edge.
> > It is a noise which to cleave the head.
> > - English as She is Spoke
> >
> > > thanks,
> > > gordon hurd
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Emax and Emax II User's Group
> > >
> > > http://www.silveriafamily.com
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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> >
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> 
> 
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