SQ-80 disks

nuketifromorbit · Post by **nuketifromorbit** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:04 am

Just a quick question here. I just want to know if normal double sided high density 3.5 inch floppies will work with the sq 80?

devetron · Post by **devetron** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:51 am

I just saved a bank to and loaded it back from a "regular" disc with no trouble. I can't say I recommend it, only that it worked this one time.

I guess you're supposed to use the old DSDD discs though. I think there is much less chance of disc errors that way.

I would back up to sysex as well if that's an option for you.

cbjlietuva · Post by **cbjlietuva** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:32 am

yeah

if you can get your hands on some 800k floppys the sq80 will format it for you

nuketifromorbit · Post by **nuketifromorbit** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:23 pm

Speaking of which is there anyway to get a hold of the manual? I've already checked sonicstate, google, and the Creative website.

I found the service manual, but not the musicians manual. It basically said High density disks could also supposedly be used.

Entropy Farmer · Post by **Entropy Farmer** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:59 pm

I think there is much less chance of disc errors that way.

DSHD diskettes are fully backwards compatible with DSDD. If anything, I'd expect the HD floppy to be more reliable since it's running under-spec.

devetron · Post by **devetron** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:47 pm

Entropy Farmer wrote:
I think there is much less chance of disc errors that way.
DSHD diskettes are fully backwards compatible with DSDD. If anything, I'd expect the HD floppy to be more reliable since it's running under-spec.

So we can completely throw out the notion that we need DSDD disks with the SQ-80? That's great news, but you'll have to forgive me for seeking a second opinion. Can anyone back that up??

Post by **nathanscribe** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:31 pm

IIRC, to use an HD diskette as DD you need to format it as one first. Something to do with different read/write levels... there's an old thread around here somewhere about this.

Entropy Farmer · Post by **Entropy Farmer** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:02 am

You can completely throw out the notion that you need DSDD disks with ANY DSDD disk drive. You may have to cover up the hole in the left-top with tape, as this is what the drive uses to sense whether the disk is DD or HD, but it should always work.

You can format a disk to DD in windows, but you need to get a third party tool as Microsoft INEXPLICABLY removed the functionality in WinXP (thanks, Bill). That, or the tape trick might work. I'd test it, but I don't have a floppy drive installed at the moment.

note: My first computer was a Tandy 1000 with a DSDD drive; I know all about this garbage. Hard to believe this info actually comes in useful.

PS: I HATE PHPBB ERRORS

devetron · Post by **devetron** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:47 am

Entropy Farmer wrote:You can completely throw out the notion that you need DSDD disks with ANY DSDD disk drive. You may have to cover up the hole in the left-top with tape, as this is what the drive uses to sense whether the disk is DD or HD, but it should always work.

You can format a disk to DD in windows, but you need to get a third party tool as Microsoft INEXPLICABLY removed the functionality in WinXP (thanks, Bill). That, or the tape trick might work. I'd test it, but I don't have a floppy drive installed at the moment.

note: My first computer was a Tandy 1000 with a DSDD drive; I know all about this garbage. Hard to believe this info actually comes in useful.

PS: I HATE PHPBB ERRORS

The notion has been discarded. Thanks.

Is the SQ80 Manual really not anywhere on the web? I may be willing to take that on if that is the case, but I won't if I don't have to.

Entropy Farmer · Post by **Entropy Farmer** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:16 am

I've only ever been able to find the ESQ-1 manual.

Post by **meatballfulton** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:38 pm

The SQ-80- manual can be bought on the web for $25 but there is no free copy of it as far as I know.

The lower drive levels of DD heads will not always successfully overwrite the HD media which can result in read errors and loss of data. HD discs are not 100% compatible with DD drives unless they have never been formatted as HD, so do not buy pre-formatted discs (of course those are the most common).

You can still buy DD discs but they are harder to find. Imation still makes them, very few brick and mortar stores carry them but they can be ordered online...PC Connection, CDW, Provantage, etc.