=*=*=*=*=*¢ Double Density vs High Density¢ from MEI/Micro Center Advertisement¢ Reprinted from The Sourcerer's¢ Apprentice (MAGIC) March, 1991, and¢ THE OL'HACKERS ATARI USER GROUP, Inc.¢ with THANKS!¢¢ Many computer users are confused¢ about the difference between double¢ density and high density diskettes.¢ The basic difference is in the size¢ of the magnetic particles. The¢ difference in particle sizes applies¢ to both 5.25" and 3.5" diskettes.¢¢ The magnetic particles used in the¢ coating of high density media are¢ smaller than those found in the¢ double density media. The smaller the¢ particles, the more that fits on the¢ surface of the diskette. These¢ smaller particles are what allow the¢ high density disk to have a higher¢ capacity to hold data. Since the¢ particles are smaller, they emit a¢ lower voltage or signal strength. To¢ compensate for this smaller voltage,¢ the read/write head used in a double¢ density disk drive is less sensitive¢ than those found in a high density¢ drive. The double density and high¢ density sensitivities are different¢ so that they can clearly read the¢ signal being sent.¢¢ Interchanging high density and low¢ density disks will often cause data¢ errors, because the read/write heads¢ will either be too weak or too strong¢ to read the signals clearly. This can¢ result in data errors, problems in¢ retrieving the data, and/or the¢ inability to format a diskette.¢ <> end <>¢¢