As the physical data format on the Commodore 1541 5¼-inch floppy disk is defined in software, this article explores different strategies to fit up to 246 KB (compared to the 170 KB defined in the original disk format). By utilizing all four speed zones, increasing the number of tracks on the disk, minimizing gaps, and implementing custom formats, it is possible to exceed the original specifications by up to 38%. However, these strategies may result in exceeding the specified capacity of the medium, which can lead to issues with reliability and compatibility with the original firmware.
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