Date   : Fri, 14 Feb 1997 21:18:47 +0000
From   : Mike Tomlinson <mike@...>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Web Page]

In message <32FEDE3C.4DE5@...>, Robert Schmidt <rsc@...>
writes on behalf of someone else:

>> Is is possible to connect a 3.5"floppy drive from an A-310
>> to a Master-128 and use Format 'D' disks between the Arc
>> series and the BBC master?
>> 
>> I have done it with 5.25" and an interface on my A420?
>> 
>> But I would prefer the 3.5 format!

The reason earlier Archimedes needed interfaces to connect 5.25"
external drives was that the disc controller logic used CMOS levels and
older 5.25" drives used TTL.

Taking an Arc 3.5" drive and connecting it to a Master would present no
problem - I've done it myself.

>> Would and IBM 3.5 that parrallels with a 5.25 work better?

Not sure I understand that - if by "IBM 3.5" you mean a 1.44 drive, I'd
suggest you avoid this and stick with the 720/800k units used in the
Arc.

Of course, the ideal solution would be a dual 3.5"/5.25" combo drive
connected to the Master, though these were relatively rare.  They were
very useful though.

-- 
Mike Tomlinson
Alexander Graham Bell's worst nightmare: "This is Watson, I'm
sorry I can't come right now, please leave a message."