Date   : Wed, 02 Aug 1989 09:01:06 GMT
From   : morris@jade.Berkeley.EDU (Mike Morris)
Subject: Hard Sectors????

(Roger Hanscom) writes:
>
>Hi All --
>   A friend of mine just bought a used "H-89" computer (a
>Heathkit) that runs some form of CP/M.  I'd like to give
>him some PD software, but this machine runs hard-sectored
>5.25" diskettes.  Is there an efficient way to do it?  I
>can read and write many 5.25" formats -- can a hard sector
>controller read anything but hard sector diskettes??  I can
>always do a serial patch between one of my machines and his,
>but that seems like "the hard way".  Any hard-sector users
>out there??  How do you get software??

I asked a friend of mine who has a Z89 and he says that the hardware
is capable of either hard or soft, it's all in the BIOS, which is on the
system tracks of the boot disk.  IOW, to "convert" his machine to a
soft-sectored machine, simply get your hands on a soft-sectored boot
disk, and do it.  Is there a HUG around there somewhere?  (Heathkit
User Group)  Most Heath stores sponsor them or at least know of them.

US Snail:  Mike Morris                    UUCP: Morris@Jade.JPL.NASA.gov 
           P.O. Box 1130                  Also: WA6ILQ
           Arcadia, Ca. 91006-1130
#Include disclaimer.standard     | The opinions above probably do not even