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#Help me with DMS please

11 messages in this thread

#145143From: Donovan WattsMay 12, 1994 11:30 AM

I've just downloaded my first DMS file macv42.dms in the UU library. I then downloaded dms201.sfx and uncompressed it. When I type DMS write macv42 it goes through this sequence which appears to be writing tracks to my df0: disk which is a high density formatted disk. But when it is all done I've got nothing on the disk. Can someone tell me exactly what to do? It can't be that complicated. ..DonovaN

#145146From: Steve AhlstromMay 12, 1994 11:51 AM

Format the disk normally.

#145219From: Donovan WattsMay 12, 1994 7:02 PM

OK. I used a lo-density disk and it worked fine. ..DonovaN

#145202From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPMay 12, 1994 4:46 PM

Donovan, Use a low density disk, or format the HiD disk before you use it.

#145220From: Donovan WattsMay 12, 1994 7:02 PM

Thanks Michael. I used a lo-density and it worked. ..DonovaN

#145384From: Mario van GinnekenMay 13, 1994 12:49 PM

Donovan, If you have some HD-disks lying around I would advise you not to use them on the Amiga, even if you format them at low density. The disks are not reliable when using on LD, even though they have more magnetical parts per area. MaRiO. -= MoToRoLa RuLeZ, InTeL FooLZ! =- /// 68o2o aGa OnBoarD …///\\\///

#145476From: Donovan WattsMay 13, 1994 8:43 PM

I'm not sure why you would advise me not to use HD-disks on the Amiga. I've been using them for a long time now with no problems. ..DonovaN

#146037From: Mario van GinnekenMay 16, 1994 12:05 PM

I have been told that because of the different physical 'layout' of the high-density disk it is not very reliable for using it as a double-density disk. It's true that the HD-disk can contain more data, but the data is not on exactly the same locations stored as it is on a DD-disk. Depending on the physical location of your data, the brand of HD-disk and the type of drive that you use it is possible to use HD-disks as DD's for a long time without having troubles. My experience is different! And: why use more expensive disks? Bye, MaRiO. -= MoToRoLa RuLeZ, InTeL FooLZ! =- /// 68o2o aGa OnBoarD …///\\\///

#146047From: Donovan WattsMay 16, 1994 1:28 PM

I see what you are saying. It doesn't apply to me because I have never used a HD disk as a LD disk. I have a HD drive in my Amiga. ..DonovaN

#146093From: Mario van GinnekenMay 16, 1994 4:43 PM

AHA!! That solves the riddle <g> See ya, MaRiO. -= MoToRoLa RuLeZ, InTeL FooLZ! =- /// 68o2o aGa OnBoarD …///\\\///

#146174From: John Toebes/SYSOPMay 16, 1994 10:13 PM

Actually, there are a number of factors involved in the media that I am aware of: 1) With IBM 360K vs 1.2M floppies (the 5 1/4 variety), there are actually a different number of tracks on the media. The HD drives have a smaller R/W head which doesn't clear all the data on the alternate tracks which makes the diskettes non-reliable when read on a real 360K drive. 2) For the Amiga, the HD drive actually runs at half speed when it sees a HD notched 3 1/2" diskette in the drive. 3) Single sided and double sided media are not always held to the same standards. I spoke to a Dennison (the Elephant brand) person and was told that their double sided and single sided are the same media EXCEPT that the double sided ones have been through a better statistical testing (with the failures being sold as single sided). 4) With 5 1/4" media, double notching and flipping the diskette over actually is not a good thing for the drive because it means the diskette spins in the opposite direction and dirt that has been cleaned off and caught in the sleeve is now pushed back onto the diskette and can foul the head. 5) Several sources (including Damark) claim that HD and DD diskettes are the same media with the same statistical failure probability applied to choosing which can be one or the other (see point 3 above). I have yet to see evidence to refute that statement.