Flexible Disks - Epson TF-20 Reference Manual

1.2 Flexible Disks

Flexible disks are a lightweight, low-cost storage medium. When the disk
is inserted in the disk drive, it is rotated at a speed of the 300 RPM by the
spindle in the spindle hole. Access is performed through the read/write
access holes by twin read/write heads located on either side of the disk in
the drive. The flexible disks used in the TF-20 are double-sided disks which
measure 5 1/4" dia. and have an available total storage capacity of 278K
bytes. The figure below shows the external view of the disks used in the
TF-20.
Along with the advantages of flexible disks, there are certain conditions
which must be met concerning their use. Primarily, these fall under the
heading of the care with which flexible disks must be treated. The density
with which data is magnetically recorded on a disk, while being the source
of its efficiency and economy, is also the reason why care must be
exercised in the handling of disks. Careless handling of disks can result in
lost or useless data and programs.
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Disks are housed ' a protective jacket that serves to clean the recording
surface and protect it from dust and other contaminants. The recording
surface should never be exposed to oils (including that on your fingers),
solvents or a dusty atmosphere. Any of these can destroy the data and
programs stored on the disk. The same applies to extreme temperatures
or sudden fluctuations in temperature or humidity. Because the disks
record data magnetically, disks should never be used or stored near
magnets or in a strong magnetic field, such as that produced by a
television set. For details of the recording format and complete warnings
for use, refer to Chapter 3, Disks.
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