Date   : Wed, 23 Aug 2006 12:37:12 +0100
From   : "David Hunt" <dm.hunt@...>
Subject: Re: writing and reading on 3.5 floppy

> I have heard of a patched dfs 1.21 but hav also tried 3 *fx 
> commands which according to sprow do the same timing trick. I 
> have tried the fx commands with no luck on my 8271 fdc bbc 
> when writing and then reading the data although I can format 
> and verify without problems. The ironic thing is that files 
> which were saved years ago using a 720k drive can be read by 
> the sony drived without problems.
> 
> So does the patched dfs do a lot more than the *fx commands 
> and wsill it enable me to save and load games to the sony 
> floppy drive?
> 

The reason 3.5" drives don't work on the ModelB is the 8271 expects to get a
sector start notification from the drive. 3.5" drives don't have an index
hole sensor like 5.25" drives. I guess the DFS 1.21 removes the loop of code
that waits for it, probably turns off a timeout or something. Some old 3.5"
drives had a jumper setting that would send this signal, the Sony drive
doesn't seem to have it. I'd get the DFS 1.21 ROM and your problem should
not manifest itself again.

Dave ;)