Date   : Tue, 30 Dec 1986 10:52:26 EST
From   : Manasseh Katz <MKATZ@umd2.umd.edu>
Subject: Altos Floppy

After a year and a half, I finally figured out how to get the 5-1/4" floppy
on my Altos 586 to read Double Density (instead of Quad) diskettes.  It
actually couldn't be any simpler.  MODE.CMD set it to single, double, or
Altos format.  In double-density mode, the drive reads an IBM PC CP/M-86
diskette that I had paid $25 to get converted several months ago to Altos
format.  The MODE command is NOT in the Altos documentation - I checked and
rechecked after I discovered the program.  One of the Altos manuals (not
the MPM-86 manual) does mention that the drive can read double-density
diskettes (though not single-density) so I always knew it could be done,
I just didn't know - it was right in front of me the whole time....
I don't know if there are any other Altos 586/986 users out there, but
if there are I hope this helps.
                                   Manasseh Katz
                                   MKATZ@UMD2.ARPA
                                   KATZM@UMDD.BITNET