ISC floppy format

[Richard Karasik]

Howdy!

 I have noticed a problem when using dos formatted
 disks for unix activities (AND I didnt know there was a
 difference in formatting but there sure seems to be -or 
 my floppy is broken -also a possibility). I dos formatted a floppy, then went
 to unix and tar'd some files to the floppy. When I tried to read them back 
 I got tons of errors -sector missing etc etc. I did this with 3 other diskettes
 all from different manufacturers and got the same results.

 I then issued a unix format to one of the floppies -was told I formatted
 159 tracks (i think they mean 0-159 which is 160 tracks). and the tar worked in both
 directions. Tried the remaining dos formatted diskettes and they crapped out on the
 read -reformatted thenm using the unix format and they all work.

 SO? what gives here ? I didnt think there was a difference in format!
 There didn't used to be when I was using OPUS, or SCO. 

 Any thots? thanks
 RIchard Karasik
 richard at octel.com