> I'm also aware that KE-Disk (since I owned it twice counting the later > distribution with Fred) was a BASIC program that could read non-SAM > format disks. So perhaps there is a place somewhere where I could just > read up on the correct commands to write such a program? >
Most of the simple whole-disc copiers seem to just read the disc sector-by-sector and then churn it out the same way. The copier on Enceladus (3, I think) does this, compressing it as it goes, so sometimes a whole disc will fit in memory. It basically just uses the READ AT <sector> <track> <address> and WRITE AT <sector> <track> <address> (sommat like that - check the disc manual for exact syntax). The only thing is: does the BBC disc have 9 or 10 sectors per track? (Assuming we're talking 3.5" here) copying sector-by-sector is fine, but the destination disc will need to be pre-formatted. The SAM can format at 10 sectors per track, and I think there is a program that will format at 9 sectors per track. It may be best to format the destination disc on your BBC / a PC if it is 9 sectors. I've got a PC reader (can't remember what it's called ... PC DISC? It came from Nev's Software, I think) that says you can sometimes write to a 10 sector per track disc, ignoring the last sector on the track, and some PCs can cope. That's all I know! I'm sure Ian, Simon, and plenty of others know tons about disc formats. Andy
