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Using Linux/UNIX To Create A PianoDisc Floppy

The PianoDisc control unit uses a special disk format that your computer does not understand. In order to create a PianoDisc floppy, a "translator" is required. By using a built-in utility program, your computer is able to create a disk that the PianoDisc system can understand. Creating the PianoDisc floppy is a simple two-step process:

  1. Download A Floppy Disk "Image" File
  2. Create The PianoDisc Floppy Disk

NOTE: Some UNIX and Linux distributions may not include the tools required to create an update disk. However, the utilities are widely available on the Internet. These instructions were tested using RedHat Linux 6.1.


Download A Floppy Disk "Image" File

An image file contains an exact "image" of the data on a PianoDisc floppy. Click on the link below to download a PianoDisc floppy disk image. By downloading a floppy disk image, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined in the Disclaimer Of Warranty. Once you have downloaded an image, use your browser's [BACK] button to return to this page.




Create The PianoDisc Floppy Disk

We're almost done! The last step is to run the utility and create the PianoDisc floppy. You will need a formatted floppy disk for this step. It does not matter whether the floppy was formatted in your PianoDisc unit, or whether it was formatted on your computer. If the name of the image file ends with the letter 'H', you will need a high-density (DSHD) floppy disk. If the name of the image file ends with the letter 'L', you will need a low-density (DSDD) floppy disk. If you do not have a low-density floppy disk, but the image requires one, click here for information about "converting" a high-density disk to low-density.


If you "converted" a high-density disk to low-density, or if the disk you plan to use has not yet been formatted, then follow these instructions to format the disk. Otherwise, you may skip this step. WARNING: FORMATTING WILL ERASE EVERYTHING ON THE DISK. MAKE SURE THERE IS NOTHING IMPORTANT THAT IS STORED ON THE FLOPPY. If you need to format the disk, type one of the following commands from the DOS prompt.

To format a low-density disk, type:

     fdformat /dev/fd0D720

To format a high-density disk, type:

     fdformat /dev/fd0H1440

Now that you have a formatted disk, type the following command from the directory where the image is located. Instead of typing filename in the command below, be sure to type the actual name of the image file that you downloaded.

     dd if=filename.img of=/dev/fd0

The utility will write the image to your floppy disk. This process may take a few minutes, so be patient. When the utility has finished, eject the disk. It is now ready to use in your PianoDisc system. Remember, the utility acted as a "translator" for your computer. If you try to mount the disk from your computer, your computer will report an error.

What Next?