[Coco] CoCo Hard Drive History

[Gene Heskett]

On Sunday 13 October 2013 15:35:19 Daniel Campos did opine:

> Em 12/10/2013 23:01, tonym escreveu:
> > I believe the B&B supported the WD1002-WX1, WD1002-XTGEN, and
> > WD1002-27X (RLL). I have 2-3 of those things in the garage in the
> > CoCo storage bins...
> 
> My CoCoXT came with a WD1002A-27X controller:
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/109345699838454178536/InterfacesDeDriveEOut
> rasEncomendas#5934321946422386930
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/109345699838454178536/InterfacesDeDriveEOut
> rasEncomendas#5934321939178339346
> 
> https://picasaweb.google.com/109345699838454178536/InterfacesDeDriveEOut
> rasEncomendas#5934321931455181154
> 
> http://stason.org/TULARC/pc/hard-disk-floppy-controllers/U-Z/WESTERN-DIG
> ITAL-CORPORATION-Two-RLL-ST506-412-driv-220.html#.UlrtoFCkpfc
> 
> 
> Can I use MFM drives with it or just RLL ones ?
> 
> Daniel
> 
While the encoding and decoding is in the controller, theoretically yes, 
practically no as it increases the density of the recording to the point of 
not being very reliable when the drive isn't rated for it.  I'd see if I 
could find a card that isn't RLL, it will be, in my experience, much more 
dependable.

Cheers, Gene
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