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From: johnl@ima.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Adding 2nd disk to PC/XT
Message-ID: <477@ima.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 10-Feb-85 23:47:16 EST
Article-I.D.: ima.477
Posted: Sun Feb 10 23:47:16 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 02:48:50 EST
Lines: 28
Nf-ID: #N:ima:12700024:000:1514
Nf-From: ima!johnl    Feb 10 21:52:00 1985

I have a PC/XT, and its 10MB disk is full, so I'm looking at possibilities
for increasing my disk space.  This situation is a little different from
adding a disk to a PC, since I already have a disk controller (the one that
came with the XT) and a 130 watt power supply.  I also have my front panel
full, but would like to try to keep all the stuff in one box if practical.
Also, I have no free long slots in the box.

Possibility 1 - Replace the floppy drive with a 1/2 height floppy and a
1/2 height 10MB disk.  This looks like it should work, except for a few nits.
Are there standard sources for mounting hardware for 1/2 height drives in an XT?
How about for getting the extra power connector I need, probably by plugging
a Y-connector into one of the existing power cords.

Possibility 2 - Replace the 10MB drive with a 20MB drive.  Detailed staring
at the XT technical reference suggests that the BIOS should be able to handle
a 20MB drive if two switches that I can't find are set appropriately.  Anybody
do this?  If so, do DOS and utilities work right?  I use DOS 3.0 which handles
the AT's 20MB disk, so there may be some hope.

Possibility 2A - Same as 2 but replace the IBM disk controller.  I'd prefer
not to, since a disk controller costs money.  Remember that I don't have
room for both the IBM controller and another one.

Other suggestions are welcome.

John Levine, Javelin Software, Cambridge MA 617-494-1400
{ decvax!cca | yale | bbncca | allegra | cbosgd | ihnp4 }!ima!johnl
Levine@YALE.ARPA