Abstract: The diskette drive described herein reads and writes information on a flexible magnetic disk stored in a rigid diskette cartridge. The drive contains apparatus for loading and registering the cartridge in the drive without the assistance of a loading tray or cartridge carrier. The disk drive spindle, the recording head and cartridge position registration pins all protrude into the insertion path for the cartridge. The spindle and pins are shaped and positioned so that the cartridge will not strike the recording head as it is inserted. Spring fingers are provided to bias the cartridge down against the spindle and the registration pins. When the cartridge is fully inserted, it snaps into a registered position over the pins, the spindle and the recording head. In addition the cartridge contains a truncated corner that cooperates with a blocking member in the insertion path to prevent the cartridge from being improperly inserted.

Abstract: A square hard-cartridge diskette, housing a two-sided floppy disk, is constructed and arranged to be symmetrical about a diagonal axis, such that the diskette is oriented for use of one disk side, or the other, by rotating the cartridge 180.degree. about this diagonal axis. The diskette carries locating notches and polarizing edges which operate, respectively, to properly locate the diskette within a using disk drive, and to prevent improper insertion of the diskette into the disk drive. The locating notches and polarizing edges are located symmetrically relative this diagonal axis. Head-access openings and disk cleaning members are located on this diagonal axis.