Calcstar 1.0 for CP/M : help needed archiving

callmejack

I have 2 disks of Calcstar 1.0 for cp/m and I need some help determine what is the format to use for imaging.

I tried using a SD drive, dumping tracks 0-41but it doesn't seem to be correct. I also tried with a HD drive, low density read, track 0-41 and track 0-79

https://mega.nz/file/jXRg0TwR#m9DYtwJ7Iuwl8I4Ixwxrvp-6thy9tKyCpQ4EogEHgjw

Any clue ?

SomeGuy

This appears to be an Apple II GCR floppy disk format.

That would be 48tpi, 35 tracks, single sided.

Typically, the best results for archiving such a disk are using 1.2mb 5.25" drive, in low density mode.

If the disk is copy protected, you may need to use single stepping to include "half tracks", as the Apple II drive mechanism could step the head between normal 48tpi tracks and this was sometimes used for copy protection.

The tracks are not index aligned, so you MUST archive with multiple revolutions, I recommend at least three, to successfully read the sectors that cross the index.

The headache, then becomes that I don't know of any great tools for extracting Apple II images from SCP images. Normally, when I deal with Apple II disks, I use the Kryoflux decoder.

callmejack

Thanks for the advice. That’s strange because the floppy does not look like an Apple disk.


Anyway I will give it a try with a 1.2Mb drive like you suggested.

I also have an Applesauce fdc, but not sure if I have a 5.25 apple drive, will have to check.

callmejack

@SomeGuy I made an image using 1.2Mb drive / low density and you were right, it's an Apple II format disk. I was able to convert it to Apple II format using Applesauce Disk Analyzer software. I was very impressed that it was able to read SCP format and then anayze it and recognize its content:


It's confirmed its Calcstar for CP/M on Apple II.

Thanks for your help and your (as usual) good advice.