Msg: 5218 *Conference*

07-27-94 23:59:41

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : BILL EVANS

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #5215 (DISK DRIVES FRO M100)

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Excellent question... let's take them by the numbers...

 > I've just received a copy of your catalog but am still confused about what
is currently available in the way of disk storage for my Model 100.

Today, the TPDD and TPDD2 are your best portable disk drive storage option.
Some may chime into this discussion and tell you about the DVI (Disk Video
Interface) and Chipmunk drive, but these, although excellent tools, have
dynamics I, personally, find inappropriate for newcommers to Model T computing
in the 90's.  I won't go into the details behind my feelings but please note
that I am taking a specific line in my assessment regarding factors I feel
important.

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 > What is the difference between TPDD and TPDD2?  Are they 3.5" or 5.25"?

Okay ... both the TPDD and TPDD2 drives were made by Brother Corp and sold by
Tandy.  Yes, some were used in other equipment under different names but that'
not important.  Both use 3/5" SSSD media, but DSDD is used today.  The TPDD
came to market, first, followed by the TPDD2.  In both case, the drives format
functions more like a tape drive then a disk drive--although it is random
storage.

The drives came with a DOS program that ran in RAM.  The TPDD's DOS is called
FLOPPY.CO and the TPDD2's DOS is called FLOPPY.  In both cases, there are
better DOSes--such as TS-DOS by Club 100--which offers far more file management
features.  However, to be fair, both FLOPPY.CO and FLOPPY are the only DOSes
that will make image copies of disks.  Using this feature, Club 100 creates
image copies of TS-DOS.

The Tandy Portable Disk Drive formatted its media to hold 100K with a 40 file
directory limit.  The TPDD2, formatted its media to hold 200K with 2, 40 file
directories.

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 > What software, if any, do I need to write disks that will be readable by my
IBM XT?

First the bad news: Forget it.  That's not a reality!  I, and thousands of
others wish a MS-DOS based utility were available to directly read TPDD and
TPD2 disks.  Again, it ain't real and a whole ton of really, really, really
good programmers never could figure it out.

Now the good news: The best you can do is use a MS-DOS based utility to read
the TPDD/TPDD2 through the DOS coputers serial port just like a Model T.  And,
to make this even simpler, the product you want ... and will really, really,
really love ... is Lapdos II.

You simply plug the TPD/TPD2 into COM1 or COM2 of your XT--using a simple
gender changer to mate the TPDD/TPDD2's cable to the DOS comptuers serial port
(either a D25M or D9M).  You then run LAP.EXE on your DOS computer.  With in a
few second, you get a split screen with the DOS files on the left and the
TPDD/TPDD2 files on the right.

Using the arrow keys, you point to the file you want to copy from one media to
the other, tap "C" for <C>opy and hit <enter>.  That file will copy to the
other media at 19200 baud and carry its own name--you don't have to name files
on the receiving computer.  Again, you just point and shoot.  And, if you want
to copy all the file from, let's say, the TPDD/TPDD2 to your DOS computer,
simply tap the "W" key for <W>ildcopy and hit <enter> ... it's a *.* copy.  And
again, all files copy at 19200 baud and carry their own name.

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 > What is a current price/delivery (quantity 1), including postage?

You've got me there.  My top price is $150 for a TPDD ad $250 for a TPDD2.
However, I will come off that price depending on the basis I have in each
drive.  Let me explane:

There was a time when I paid close to a set price for drives.  I would attach
my margin and overhead requirements, place them up for sale and sell
out--almost immediately.  This is true.  Today, there is no set price.  I have
a different basis in each machine and peripheral.  So, to keep this simple,
please read the (2)ForSaleAds, (R)ead ads, (4)consignment (2)The List area
often.  I will post items there.

Hope this helps and thanks for asking... -Rick-