[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: 800k disks possible at all?



The IBM PC drives can store more information on disks then the standard
format command allows.  Available on various online services, FTP sites,
and so one, are programs called dynamic formatters.  I have seen (and
used, but don't ask where) a formatter that squeezed 2.1 meg on a 1.4 meg
disk by rewriting the track structure on the disk.  It took FOREVER to
format the disk, and the disks had a high error rate, making it a toy more
than anything, but it can be done.

I was also able to format a 360K disk to about 800K, and I never tried any
of the 720 K disks, as is I didn't have any.

The disks that this program would create would read "fine" in one
computer, a CompuAdd 386DX20 (I think), and wouldn't read at all in a
Gateway 386DX33.  The program did include a BIOS extensions file, that you
loaded in your config.sys file, but it only cleared up the problems on a
small number of computers.

One of the programs came with source code (Pascal I think).  If I have iot
on disks, its on a 5.25" disk, and I will never be able to find it.  Try a
search on the net.

Bill Miller
wjm@wwa.com



Follow-Ups: References: