DSD-440 software

[Doc Shipley]

Joe R. wrote:

> Hi Doc,
> 
>    I picked up at least two DSD manuals in my big haul last week. I think
> they both have disks in them. I can send you the disk (and a mamual if you
> need it) if you'll promise to return them.  FWIW Thom has a NIB DSD drive.
> I think I'm going to pick it up and try to use it on my PDP-8.  I've been
> reading the description of the DSD drives in the manual and they sound
> GREAT! They will do IBM 3740 format, DEC RL-01/02 format and some kind of a
> DD format. They also have stand alone diagnostics built into the controller
> so you can test them with no computer attached (and no special computer SW!)

   The loan of a disk would be perfect.  I have a printed "preliminary" 
User Guide, and the later UG and Service Guide are both on Bitsavers.

   It is a really slick system.  The built-in diags and format utilities 
are very nice, but for mass formats something that runs in the OS would 
suit me better.  You have to power cycle the disk drawer for each floppy 
you format, which is probably OK but it gives me the heebie-jeebies.  :) 
  Since I have several hundred bulk-erased RX02 diskettes, that's a lot 
of heebie-jeebies.

   Another thing that caught me short is that the DSD-440 honors the 
write-protect notch.  The RX02 doesn't (or my RX02s have been modified), 
so it was a little surprising when I got a write-protect error on a 
scratch disk I've been using on my 11/84.

   Hit me off-list at this address and I'll send you my shipping address 
and stuff.

   Thanks!
	Doc