----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Guzis via cctalk" <cctalk@classiccmp.org> To: "Jules Richardson via cctalk" <cctalk@classiccmp.org> Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 8:38 PM Subject: Re: formatting MFM drives on a IBM PC
> On 09/26/2017 03:53 PM, Jules Richardson via cctalk wrote: >> On 09/26/2017 01:19 PM, Ethan via cctalk wrote: >>> I don't know if it's a good idea to low level format a drive or not. >> >> I remember at least one manufacturer recommending it for their drive(s) >> if they were ever tilted through 90 degrees - presumably there were tiny >> effects on the head positioning and so not doing a LLF would result in >> problems. > > I remember quite vividly evaluating the then-new IMI hard drive--the > thing with a smoke-black plexiglas top and about the size of a shoebox. > I think Corvus sold them as Apple II addons. > > It used a voice-coil positioner. If you lifted the front of the drive > to about a 10 degree (or more) inclination, the positioner would go > nuts, making all sorts of noise trying to stay on track--and eventually > erroring out. > > --Chuck --------------------- Ah yes, the interesting 11MB IMI 7710. Cromemco also used them in their Z-2H; I still have one somewhere, not a bad drive when it worked ;-) http://www.s100computers.com/Hardware%20Manuals/Cromemco/IMI_7710%20Hard%20Disk%20Brochure.pdf https://amaus.org/static/S100/cromemco/photos/Cromemco%20Z2H/IMI%20drive%202.jpg m
