> On Jan 20, 2023, at 11:19 AM, Jim Brain via cctalk
> wrote:
>
> On 1/20/2023 1:05 PM, Mike Katz via cctalk wrote:
>> Using the Greaseweazel is a two stage process. The GW itself connects to
>> the actual drive and just records the flux transitions as a series of zeros
>> and ones. This is transferred to a computer (PC, MAC, Linux) where the
>> captured flux image is analyzed by a second program which understands floppy
>> formats. You tell the analyzer what you are looking at.
>>
>> The analyzer can then provide a binary dump of the actual data (track by
>> track) or for operating systems that it understands it can extract
>> directories and files.
>>
>> On 1/20/2023 12:52 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
>>> I’m now aware of the GreaseWeazle, but what I’ve not seen is if it allows
>>> standard access to the data on a floppy, or only provides a way to image
>>> the disk. With an USB attached 3.5” floppy the disk mounts on my Mac, and
>>> I can easily pull files off the disk. Does this work with the GreaseWeazle
>>> and a 5.25” floppy drive?
>>>
>>> Zane
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
> Not to discount Mike's response, but to Zane's original question: At this
> time, No, the GW only allows imaging.
>
> *BUT*, there is nothing preventing the firmware Keir wrote from being
> extended to support accessing the actual floppy disk directly via the USB
> interface (by emulating a regular USB floppy drive set of commands).
>
> In reality, most people just do with Mike is suggesting. Grab the image and
> then mount it as a virtual floppy and read the files/dirs as needed.
>
> Jim
>
> --
> Jim Brain
> br...@jbrain.com
> www.jbrain.com
My thanks to all that answered. I’ll probably pick up a GreaseWeazel at some
point. Right now I’m trying to judge my need. I’ve only found a fraction of
the 5.25” floppies I should have. For that matter, I’ve only found about 60%
of the 3.5” floppies I should have. I’m mystified as to where three big boxes
are, and those include the bulk of my 5.25” floppies.
Realistically that’s good enough Jim, though I find the way the 3.5” floppies
are working to be quite useful. I can take a look at what’s on them, and in
many cases, I just pull the files off. As there is no reason to image them.
Zane
