Skip to main content

FORMAT

The FORMAT  command prepares a new disk for use by organizing the disk into magnetic tracks and sectors that are readable by DOS. when a disk is formatted, any files on that disk are usually lost. because of the plethora of disk types and capacities, new parameters were added to the FORMAT command in DOS  version 4.01. MS-DOS 5.00 introduction a safe FORMAT command and the ability to UNFORMAT unintentially formatted disks. These parameters and others are presented in the following paragraph and table.

FORMAT Command Form:  There are a number of FORMAT command forms. These are described in the following list.

CAUTION
 BE aware that the FORMAT command erases all files from the disk being formatted.
    Many computer users  have accidentally formatted the wrong disk. If you have programs or  
 document files  you wish to keep, do not format the disk! (DOS 5.00 lets you UNFORMAT
    disk, but even with this version of DOS, there are no guarantees that all data will be restored. 

All DOS Versions:
FORMAT- Format the disk in the default drive.

FORMAT-B:- Format the disk B.

FORMAT /S- Format the disk in the default  drive and transfer the DOS to it.(this places system files
including COMMAND.COM, BIO.COM, and DOS.COM on the disk.) If you plan to use the
disk for data only, avoid using /S. The DOS files occupy valuable space.                                 

FORMAT B:/S- Format the disk in drive B and transfer the DOS to it.

FORMAT /1-Format the disk as single sided.

FORMAT B-Format the disk and reserve space for DOS files BIO.COM and DOS.COM. However, the DOS is not transferred until the SYS command is used. The /B option creates a 320KB, eight-sector diskette rather than a 360KB, nine-sector diskette.

FORMAT B:/1/S-Format the disk in drive B as single sided and transfer the DOS to it.

DOS Versions 2.00 and later:

FORMAT /B-Format the disk with eight sectors (for compatibility with DOS versions prior to 2.00).

FORMAT /V-Display a prompt that asks for a 1 - to 11- character disk volume name.  (The/V parameter cannot be used with the /8 parameter.)

FORMAT /S/V-Format the disk, prompt for a volume name, and transfer the DOS to it.

FORMAT /3-Some DOS versions used with laptop computers or those with 3 1/2-inch disk drive use this form of the FORMAT command.

DOS Version 3.00:

FORMAT /4-Format a 360k or 180k capacity disk in a high capacity (1.2 megabyte) drive. This commands is typically used with drive A ob the IBM PC-AT.

DOS Version 3.30:

FORMAT /N:9 /T:80-Computers that use the 1.44MB 3 1/2-inch double-sided diskettes can use and format 729KB diskettes. Use this command to format a 720KB diskette in a 1.44MB drive. Tge /N:9 parameter specifies nine sectors per track. (A 1.44MB diskette has 18 sectors per track (/N:18).)  The /T:80 specifies eighty tracks.

DOS Verison 5.00:

FORMAT /U-Specifies unconditional format, which destroys all data on the target disk to prevent subsequent unformatting with the UNFORMAT command.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MEM

MEM The MEM command was introduced in DOS version 4.01 and memory information. The MEM command is entered alone or with a modified slightly in MS-DOS 5.00. MEM is used to display system memory information. The MEM command is entered alone or with a parameter. MEM-Displays to all system memory values, including expanded and extended memory values. MEM PROGRAM--Displays programs presently loaded in memory with used and unused memory. You may use /P if you are using DOS 5.00 MEM/DEBUG--Dispiays a list of programs, device drivers, install drivers, and used unused memory. You may use / if you are using DOS 5.00. MEM CLASSIFY (or MEM /C)-Displays programs and cor-responding memory usage. The largest available memory block is also displayed. You may use /C if you are using DOS 5.00. Typing MEM and pressing Enter displays information similar to the following (typical of DOS 5.00): C:\>MEM                  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Disk Construction

The various parts of standard 5.25- and 3.5-inch disks are contained in Figure 1-2. A description of each part is also provided. Write protect notch--When covered, prevents information from being recorded on the disk; when uncovered, information can be recorded. Temporary label--An adhesive-backed label allowing the contents of a disk to be identified. Permanent label--When used, contains disk manufacturer and capacity information. Exposed recording surface--Metal oxide surface used to magnetically record data. Do not touch! Protective jacket --House magnetic disk; provides protective cover. Disk sleeve (envelope)--Used to store disks;prevents  accidental contact with exposed surface. Protective slide --Protects magnetic media surface; slides open when inserted into a diskette drive (only on 3 1/2-inch diskettes). Figure 1-2 The Parts of a Floppy Disk Construction : Almost everyone is familiar with audio recording tape. The tape is a long, flexible acetate or mylar strip coated wit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Path

The PATH command is used to provide access to files located in other directories or on other disks. The PATH command is usually entered as a line in an AUTOEXEC.BAT (or batch) file, which most often contains one or more DOS commands. The AUTOEXEC.BAT file is automatically executed upon system turn-on to run one or more desired programs without the need for user intervention. Other batch  files are executed upon command. When an AUTOEXEC.CAT file is used, each command contained in the file executes as it is encountered. The creation and use of batch files is described in Section 8. To illustrate the PATH command, assume you have a program named GATOR.COM that is located in a sub directory. You are not sure if it is cn disk C or disk A, so you want to search both disks and execute the command when found. To complicate matters, you are not sure if the program is in the SWAMP sub directory or the MUD sub directory. Here is where the PATH command comes to your rescue. To set up a search...
Post a Comment
Read more