Date   : Sat, 01 Nov 2003 14:37:11 -0500
From   : Arlen Michaels <arlen@...>
Subject: Re: writing images to a drive-success!!!

on 1/11/03 6:19 AM, Darren T. Brown wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Tomlinson" <mike@...>
> Subject: Re: [BBC-Micro] Treat Me Like A Fool! writing images to a drive
>> Basically, you can't.  The BBC (in DFS mode) uses single-density
>> floppies, and the floppy controller in modern PCs cannot write single
>> density.  Have a look at http://bbc.nvg.org/xfer-conv.php3

The issue of single density on modern PCs has been recently revisited and
there seems to be growing evidence that the floppy controller chips finding
their way into many current PC designs are in fact capable of supporting
single density (ironic indeed, since as Mike Tomlinson pointed out, older
PCs from the single-density era generally do not).  See, for example, the
intrepid investigations by Tim Mann and others in the Tandy TRS-80 world.
The best write-up of this that I know of is here:

   http://www.tim-mann.org/trs80faq.html#[15]

Basically, they've tried out single density with various controller chips
found in modern PCs and have listed which manufacturers and chip numbers
tolerate single density.  Results suggest, for example, that current floppy
disc controllers incorporating these chips _will_ support single density
(FM):

 - NS PC87306 Super I/O
 - NS PC87307/PC97307 Super I/O
 - SMC FDC37C65
 - SMC FDC37C78
 - Intel 82077AA
 - Intel 82077SL
 - NS 8477
 - Goldstar Prime 2c or 3b

 [quoted from www.tim-mann.org/trs80faq.html]

So there is hope for the persistent, as Darren Brown has discovered.

Arlen Michaels