The first SyQuest, the SQ306 3.9-inch cartridge disk drive had an ST506 (MFM) interface -
big issue was unmodified DOS could not deal with a cartridge change but as I recall that
problem was fixed by taking control of INT13 after boot
The next 5¼-inch SyQuest generation was SCSI.
There were other such early cartridge disk drives in various diameters with dumb data bit
serial interfaces such as SMD and most were MFM.
Tom
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Davis <jim.p.davis(a)gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2025 1:25 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Subject: [cctalk] Re: MFM Hard Drive & 8" Double Side Drives
I probably have 10 MFM drives, I don't expect any to run. I took one apart, It had
crud on the platter from the air bleed filter.
Smallest I have maybe a couple 20 Mb, Classic seagate ST220?, up to a 100 MB maxtor
XT1105. I have time to test and all the old toolds, I'll give it a try, I need to dig
out a old PC, Goodwill was good to me in the early 2000's I was stupid and passed on a
datapoint 2200, No where to store. Also a old hammond organ, Classic. and cringe.
Probably after Christmas, Might want to consider an alternative.
Just got a new toy (hantek 2d10) scope that is not working right, Op malfunction? . Rigol
was pissing me off.
Fortunately, Got two, one for a gift, So, a reference or another turd.
Was anything MFM or RLL with a removible cart build in the 80's-90's?
I never heard of such a thing, Carts were scsi early 90's Syquest and others?...
On Wed, Oct 22, 2025 at 4:18 PM Mike Katz via cctalk <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
wrote:
I just purchased an old Gimix computer (now if only I
can get it from
Orlando to Chicago before my friend goes down there for Christmas).
It has an OMTI 20C-1 MFM hard disk controller with a IMI 5018 19MB
hard disk drive in it.
I am thinking of trying to upgrade the hard drive. The Gimix System
that I worked on had a half high 20MB drive and a Syquest removable
5MB drive.
Does anyone have an old MFM drive laying around (half high or full
height but larger than 18MB) and/or an MFM removable cartridge drive
with cartridges?
I am also going to try to rebuild a Vector Graphic Dual Store Dual 8"
drive enclosure that I picked up at VCFMW. It suffered some dampness
damage and I'm not sure the drives will come up. If you have a dual 8"
drive setup (double sided drives, and enclosure) that you need a good
home for, please let me know.
I'm in the Chicago Area.
Thanks,
Mike
bitwiz(a)12bitsbest.com