5 ‘Ivinch drive/diskette compatibility

Drive type

Diskette types it can read from and write to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

360KB

160KB,

180KB,

320KB,

360KB

 

 

 

1.2MB

160KB,

180KB,

320KB,

360KB,

1.2MB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING

If you write to a 360KB (or 160KB, 180KB, or 320KB) diskette in a 1.2MB drive, you may nut be able to read it or write to it in a 360KB drive later.

Because of these incompatibilities, always indicate the diskette type and density when you label your diskettes. (Usually this information appears on the manufacturer’s label.)

If you have any combination of the above drives (1.44MB, 720KB, 1.2MB, or 360KB), you can copy files from one drive to another-using the COPY or XCOPY command-as long as the correct diskette type is in each drive. You can also use these commands to copy files between a hard disk and any type of diskette. However, you cannot use the DISKCOPY command to copy from one diskette drive to another if the two drives are not the same type. For more information on the MS-DOS COPY, XCOPY, and DISKCOPY commands, see Chapter 4.

Caring for Diskettes and Diskette Drives

Follow these basic precautions to protect your diskettes and avoid losing data:

Ll Do not remove a diskette from the diskette drive or turn off the computer while the drive light is on. This light indicates that the computer is copying data to or from a diskette. If you interrupt this process, you can destroy data.

0 Remove all diskettes before you turn off the computer.

3-14 Using the Equity 386SX