[BBC-Micro] Superform Problem

[Mike Tomlinson]

In article <CFCD49FD368E4CDD9F1387F00A47E824.MAI at ukhosting.ltd.uk>, Ian
Wolstenholme <BBCMailingList at beebmaster.co.uk> writes

>Thanks for the reply.  I appear to have solved the
>problem now by experimenting with the interleave.

Hmm.  I think that's simply masked the real fault, rather than fixing
it.

>It's a Rodime RO203E Winchester, which is a 30MB
>MFM disc with 640 cylinders and 6 heads according
>to 2 sources I have found.

It's certified for RLL too, so can be formatted with 17spt/MFM for a
capacity of 32MB, or 26spt/RLL for a capacity of 48MB.

cyl=640
hds=6
spt=17 or 26
rwc=264
wpc=300

rwc= reduced write current
wpc=write precompensation

I'd be very tempted to stick this drive in your Technomatic box in a 3.5
to 5.25" adapter and use the RLL controller to format it to its optimum
capacity of 48MB.  Stick the crappy ST225 in your Acorn Winchester box.

M.

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