[Coco] Re: [Color Computer] 1.44 disk

[James C. Hrubik, Sr.]

On Aug 3, 2005, at 8:31 AM, Robert Emery wrote:
(with somewhat similar comments by Bob Devries, Basil, & Davey)

> Just to clarify, based on my experience...
> I have some 3.5" HD disks with taped over density holes that have been 
> working
> fine since around last October. One of those disks started giving me 
> IO errors,
> but I realized I had it too close to a magnetized screwdriver.

>  Also, some tape
> may not fully block the IR light used by optical switches, so it's a 
> good idea
> to tape both sides, use black tape, and maybe even fill the hole with
> something.
>
> cheers,
> Bob

My CoCo has not been fired up in about 2 years.  But ... about 2 years 
ago I had it up and running for a few weeks.  It had been in a box for 
about 5 years.  The 1.44 taped over OS-9 boot disk fired up with no 
hassle in the 1.44 /DD.  So the data held for 5 years at least (whew! 
didn't have to rebuild that custom boot disk!).  I think Davey may be 
right about no difference in the media.  In fact, there was some 
discussion along that line a few years back.  Once 1.44s came out, the 
manufacturers simply might not have wanted to maintain two separate 
runs of media -- the 720s and 1.44s were the made same except for the 
cases.  You might have problems reading real old 720 media in newer 
1.44 drives, or using newer 144 media in pre 1.44, 720K drives, but if 
you are using taped-over 1.44 disks in 1.44 drives, my guess is there 
will be no problem.

Gene Heskett : Glad to see you finally joined the maltedmedia list.  
Nobody here has a _sender_ at maltedmedia address.  You have to look at 
the raw header for the sender's address if you want to send something 
off-list.  .

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