Date   : Tue, 15 Mar 2005 10:21:10 -0000
From   : "Jason Watton" <jason.watton@...>
Subject: Re: Writing Master Compact disks on a RiscPC

Hi Richard.

I'm afraid it looks like a floppy disk drive tolerance issue. Not all drives 
are equal, and as they age, so they lose their calibration.

> I can format disks on the Compact to 640k using *FORMAT 0 L
> and I can write files to the disk and read them back on the Compact.

Compact drive reads Compact drive writing.

> I can then read the disk in the RiscPC no problem. WooHoo!

RiscPC reads Compact drive writing.

> write to it on the RiscPC, e.g. modify a BASIC program on the disk, if I 
> then Dismount the disk from the RiscPC and put it back in the Compact and 
> do a *DIR I get a "Disc error 48 at :0/000002" error.

Compact drive does not read RiscPC writing.

> Occasionally, just occasionally, I get a directory listing...

Uh oh. Dodgy.

> ...but it's still followed by the disc error message.
> I've tried formatting the disc on the RiscPC but the disc is not readable 
> at all on the Compact.

Compact drive does not read RiscPC writing.

>
> My goal is to rewrite all my favourite software onto 3.5" disks so I can 
> run it on the Compact and not under an emulator.
>
> I have also tried OmniFlop and OmniDisk on my XP box, also to no avail - 
> in fact I had even less success!

Which writing did you try? Try a disk written by the Compact using the 'Test 
disk' option in OmniFlop. Then try a disk written by the RiscPC. This 
provides a third-party opinion.

>
> Can anyone help?
>

Estimate: RiscPC floppy drive is out of alignment.
If this is true, strap up a second drive for the RiscPC (e.g. the Compact 
drive!) and rescue the RiscPC disks quickly before the RiscPC drive wanders 
further.

> Thanks in advance,
> Richard
>
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