Date   : Tue, 31 Jul 2001 07:53:23 +0100
From   : Mike Tomlinson <mike@...>
Subject: Re: BBC Model B +3.5" FDD + 8271 + DFS1.21

In article <001301c11975$e6ae3890$dcb1a118@...>, Chris + Tina Saddler
<csaddler@...> writes

>I'm using "2DD" type discs (with an unformatted capacity of 1.0MB). I don't
>have the Acorn DFS utility disc that contains the disc format commands and
>so I have been using my Acorn A3010 to format the disc - using the ADFS 640K
>(L) format which I believe is compatible with the BBC disc format.

ADFS formats discs in double density, DFS in single density.  The 8271
disc controller in the BBC is only capable of reading/writing single
density (one of Acorn's less sensible decisions when designing the BBC)
and so it can't read ADFS discs.

Alternatives?  Do what you did - use a utility program on the Arc to
format the discs in single density DFS format, fit a utility ROM to the
Beeb with a disc formatter in it, or fit a 1770 DFS and ADFS ROM to the
Beeb (which will then allow you to read/write ADFS 640k). 

-- 
"Security-wise, NT is a server with a 'Kick me' sign taped to it."
                      - Peter Gutmann