TOPIC ------------------------------------------------------------
This article tells the proper way to format Apple SuperDrive disks, and the
precautions to take in using them.
DISCUSSION -------------------------------------------------------
Although the Apple SuperDrive (formerly Apple FDHD) supports both the Group
Code Recording (GCR) and Modified Frequency Modulation (MFM) formats, the
1.4MB format requires that you use only Apple SuperDrive disks.
These disks have a special thin recording surface that allows the higher data
rates. You CAN still use 800K disks, but they will only format as 400/800K
disks. Apple SuperDrive media are identifiable by the 2 holes on the disk --
one on the upper left, the other on the upper right. The bonus hole in the
upper left looks like an extra write-protect notch.
The SuperDrive disks will only format to 1.4MB. The drive will sense if a
high-density disk is inserted.
Don't use these disks in older 800K disk drives: if you format the disk in an
800K drive, it will not work in the SuperDrive. The drive will try to read in
MFM mode when it notices the bonus hole in the media, and then ask if you want
the disk formatted. There is no option in the dialog box to format to any
other size.