Why do these go for so much?

[GrandviewCoin]

I think this is the second or third one of these that has gone this high?

 

Whats the deal?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...8104760706&rd=1

 

Is the XF 551 rare?

 

And for some reason I remeber a 3 1/2 inch drive for the 8bits as well?

 

Dan

[ApolloBoy]

Yes, the XF551 is quite rare, and it's also capable of taking DS/DD (double-sided/double density) disks. There was never a 3.5" drive officially released (Atari did make a prototype, the XF351), but there is a way to modify the XF551 to turn it into a 3.5" drive.

[GrandviewCoin]

So then what version of DOS takes advantage of the 551's features?

 

For the record, I lived in Rockford IL, for a month. I normally live in Milwaukee, Wi. When I was in IL the Toy's R US had 2 551's still in box nobody was ever going to buy.

 

So I bought 1 for 19.99 new. They practically pleaded with me to take the other. I didn't have another 20.

 

This was in 1994 If I remeber right.

 

Dan

[+davidcalgary29]

So then what version of DOS takes advantage of the 551's features?

 

For the record, I lived in Rockford IL, for a month. I normally live in Milwaukee, Wi. When I was in IL the Toy's R US had 2 551's still in box nobody was ever going to buy.  

 

So I bought 1 for 19.99 new. They practically pleaded with me to take the other. I didn't have another 20.

 

This was in 1994 If I remeber right.

 

Dan

 

You'll be able to use the extended capabilities of the XF551 with any good DOS (e.g. Sparta DOS, MyDOS, BiboDOS). I'd recommend contacting the Surburan Chicago Atarians; they'd be more than happy to set you up with something.

 

The average winning auction price for XF551s on eBay seems to be in the range of $50-$75. I wouldn't say they're the rarest 8-bit drive around -- just try to find an Astra 2001! -- and they tend to be rather fragile, but yes, they can be easily modded to the 3.5" format.