how do i identify a 1.44MB floppy drive from a non 1.44mb?

[thehammer]

don't want to get stuck with a non 1.44mb floppy-- so to id a 1.44mb, do they have one of the pins missing on the connector on the floppy where you attach the floppy cable?

 

[Erasmus-X]

The pin layout would be the same (unless it's a REALLY old 5.25" drive that might use that larger connector that remains useless on a typical floppy interface cable). The best way to check is by looking at the label on top of the drive. Usually, somewhere on that label, it should say something like "high density (HD)" or "1.44MB." If not, look up the P/N and compare it to the data on the manufacturer's website.

 

[jamarno]

A 1.44M drive will have a sensor on the right hand side (just behind the slot opening) to detect the extra hole found in 1.44M floppies. This sensor will be identical to the one on the left side for the write-protect hole. It may be an optical sensor, but more likely it's a mechanical switch with a plunger (1/8" tall, 1/16" dia) that can be pressed down.

Another sign that a drive is 1.44M: there are no jumpers to select the drive number or any other settings.

The connector pins are the same for 1.44M and 720K drives except for pin 2, the high/low density selection signal from the controller. All drives now instead use the extra hole in the floppy, and only very old controllers can even generate the signal.

 

[Mday]

don't forget the 2.88 drives... 😛

anyway... the 720 KB and the 2.88 drives are HARD TO FIND... so you will probably be able to figure out what's what. and drives usually have some sort of labeling (usually 😛)...

 

[Toolman]

Also, if a 5.25" disc won't fit in the slot, then ya know it's not one of them! 🙂