-- Num ---- Username ---- Category ------------- Posted -- Expires --- Pages ---
| 65340 | CRCRANST     | CHATTER              | 02/14/95 | 02/21/95 |     4    |
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| Description: disks and stuff                                                 |
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I received this information on proper care of your floppy disks.  Thought I
might pass it on...
 
                      PROPER CARE OF FLOPPIES
 
1.  Never leave diskettes in the disk drive, as data can leak out of
    the disk and corrode the inner mechanics of the drive.  Diskettes
    should be rolled up and stored in pencil holders.
 
2.  Diskettes should be cleaned and waxed once a week.  Microscopic
    metal particles can be removed by waving a powerful magnet over
    the surface of the disk.  Any stubborn metallic shavings can be
    removed with scouring powder and soap.  When waxing the
    diskettes, make sure the surface is even.  This will allow the
    diskette to spin faster, resulting in better access time.
 
3.  Do not fold diskettes unless they do not fit into the drive.
    "Big" diskettes may be folded and used in "little" disk drives.
 
4.  Never insert a diskette into the drive upside down.  The data can
    fall off the surface of the disk and jam the intricate mechanics
    of the drive.
 
5.  Diskettes cannot be backed up by running them through the xerox
    machine.  If your data is going to need to be backed up, simply
    insert two diskettes into the drive.  Whenever you update a
    document, the data will be written on both diskettes.
 
6.  Diskettes should not be inserted or removed from the drive while
    the red light is flashing.  Doing so could result in smeared or
    possibly unreadable text.  Occasionally the red light remains
    flashing in what is known as a "hung" or "hooked" state.  If your
    system is "hooking" you will probably need to insert a few coins
    before being allowed access to the slot.
 
7.  If your diskette is full and you need more storage space, remove
    the disk from the drive and shake vigorously for 2 minutes.  This
    will pack the data enough (Data Compression) to allow for more
    storage.  Be sure to cover all the openings with scotch tape to
    prevent loss of data.
 
8.  Data access time can be greatly improved by cutting more holes in
    the diskette jacket.  This will provide more simultaneous access
    points to the disk.
 
9.  Diskettes may be used as coasters for beverage glasses, provided
    that they are properly waxed beforehand.  Be sure to wipe the
    diskettes dry before using.
 
10. Never use scissors and glue to manually edit documents.  The data
    is stored much too small for the naked eye, and you may end up
    with data from some other document stuck in the middle of your
    document.  Razor blades and scotch tape may be used, however,
    provided the user is equipped with an electron microscope.
 
11. Periodically spray diskettes with insecticide to prevent system
    bugs from spreading.