Date   : Wed, 05 Dec 1990 09:15:15 PST
From   : sprague.wbst311@xerox.com
Subject: knowledge needed! [4 drives on a Xerox 820-II]

> I have NO previous computer experience (which is why people
> gave me the cp/m systems, I believe)

Chuckle, more likely because the CP/M systems were cheap.  Both my mother and
sister-in-law do a lot of word processing.  I set them both up with Xerox
820-II computers (which cost very little) and both of them are quite happy.

> currently use a Xerox 820-II system, with 2 8" floppy drives.
> .... hooked up to the currently functioning cpu, so that I
> have a 4-drive system, AND so that the system know that it
> has 4 drives accessible

It *IS* possible to convert the 820-II to use four drives instead of two ....
but it's going to take a lot of work.  Your going to have to rewrite the BIOS.
..... And even then, I'm not sure the extra two drive select lines are on the
Floppy controller board (I'd have to take a look).

> I also have another cpu for the xerox that I can put the working
> floppy drives in, if necessary. I have no idea if this is possible,

If you decide to go this route, describe to me what you have, and I'll tell you
how to put it together.  It sound like you might have some non-standard
(home-built?) equipment.

                               ~ Mike  (Sprague.Wbst311@Xerox.Com)