Date   : Thu, 10 Oct 1985 11:35:00 EDT
From   : Kushall.henr@XEROX.ARPA
Subject: Re: A way to read 48 tpi disks on 96 tpi drives?

I have a DEC Rainbow that uses DEC RX50 single sidded 96 tpi drives,
under MS-DOS I can read IBM PC single sidded 48 tpi disks.

There is also a program called Media Master that allows reading(and
writing) of many popular 96 & 48 tpi disks.

MM even allows the 96 tpi drive to format a disk to the popular 48 tpi
formats, Kaypro, IBM PC, Osborne.

One problem that can occur in writing is that the 96 tpi head width is
narrower than with a 48tpi drive (At least DEC claims it is) and a 48
tpi drive might have trouble reading a 48 tpi disk written with a 96 tpi
drive.
I have had very good results with this, but always use a 'new' disk to
avoid data residue that could be left from a 48 tpi write that may not
erase completly with a 96 tpi head.

To make a long story short, with the right software you can read the 48
tpi disks on the 96 tpi drives!

ED KUSHALL