by Joe of E.B.F.
This is a general article about the quality of 3,5"-disks. To the facts: The US-firm Memory Control Technology Corp. (Memcom) published the results of a test concerning the quality of 3,5"-disks. The main result was: Most of the disks do not reach the ANSI-norms (US-institute of industrial norms, comparable with the german DIN). Memcom (Omaha/Nebraska) produces copy-machines and copies software for big firms. Memcom copies an average of half a million disks per months (250000 of that are 3,5").
Memcom had an increasing error-rate, so they decided to test disks of 25 producers. So they bought 100 disks from each firm. They tested all disks with several mechanical & electronical methods. Memcom tested the stability and the mechanics/mechanism, the ability to label them, of course the data-security, maximum - capacity - all in a permanent "stress" situation of the disks. The tests refered to the last ANSI-norm. The results were horrible: One of hundred disks contained an error. Only disks of IBM, KAO, TDK, Memorex and C.Itoh could stand up to the ANSI-norms. All others of the 25, had an above-average failing-quote. Disks from Verbatim, Sony, Syncom, Polaroid, Maxell and Fuji got the second place in this high-score-list. SKC, Wabash, Xidex and Dysan were the worst of the test. The consequences for Memcon: they will working in the future first and foremost with TDK-disks. In 1987, when Memcom tested 5,25"-disks the results were similar. That time BASF was best. But the producers took it as an inspiration and improved the quality of the 5,25" disks. I hope that the same will happen with the 3,5"-disk.
Now to YOU, readers of this mag: Write down your experiences with 3,5" disks and send them us. Here an example of a possible opinion: "The 3,5" disks of firm XYZ are full of errors / 100% error-free / two of a ten-disk-package were damaged...". If there are enough sendings from you, the result will be published! - CHESTER/BRS (Thanks to Joe for this idea)
This article originally appeared in the Amiga diskmagazine "Zine #5" by Brainstorm 1990.
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Addresses and other contact information were only valid when this magazine was originally published, in june of 1990.
Some content may refer to activities that are illegal in some countries. BitFellas does not support such activity.
Addresses and other contact information were only valid when this magazine was originally published, in june of 1990.