CP/M archive to image 8" CP/M floppies

[Chuck Guzis]

 On 9/20/2005,  Chris M  wrote:

>yeah do both if you can. But create the entire disk
>image FIRST. Sometimes you don't get a second try...

No kidding!  That's where the Catweasel approach works for me.  Record the raw image and then use it to reconstruct the original if the original starts to fail during subsequent reading.  I encounter this quite a bit in old off-brand 5.25' diskettes used in Commodore 15xx drives.  You know it's all over when you start to hear that awful head squeal.  It usually means that the floppy is toast and that you need to get your head-cleaning kit out.

Speaking of Commodores, has anyone found a better drive than the Chinons for the 1571?   In particular, the Chinon's seem to have a less-than robust upper head support structure.  I've got some old CDC/MPI drives that look like they may be good candidates for modification.

Cheers,
Chuck