Date   : Mon, 11 Feb 1991 06:07:29 PST
From   : sprague.wbst311@xerox.com
Subject: 3.5inch HD disk formats: Why not 11*1024

> Great, but has anybody actually swapped a 3.5" drive for an 8" drive
> and gotten it to work as an 8" drive (I admit that it wastes part
> of the 3.5" drive!)??

Why not use a 5.25" HD drive?  They usually cost about $10 less, and the swap
*seems* to be easier.  And yes, I have replaced 8" drives on a Xerox 820-II
with 5.25" HD drives.  My next attempt will be on a CompuPro S-100 system.

I have not completed the 820-II project yet, due to the stupid mistake of
plugging my interface board in backwords, and blowing one of the drives (maybe
both).  ARRRRGH!!!  However, I have formatted, sysgened and booted a floppy on
the 5.25" HD floppy.

If anyone is interested, I can send out the modification.  If you have the pin
out of your drive, it's fairly obvious what you need to do .. though not in all
cases.  In addition, you may have trouble with the MOTOR ON signal, which 8"
drives don't have.  Some drives allow you to tie the Drive Select to the motor
on, others don't.  Assuming you have power, there is a one chip solution for
Motor On, should you need it.

                               ~ Mike  (Sprague.Wbst311@Xerox.Com)