NAME

fdformat − format floppy diskettes

SYNOPSIS

fdformat [ −deflmv ] [ −b label ] [ −t dostype ] [ device ]

AVAILABILITY

SUNWcsu

DESCRIPTION

fdformat is a utility for formatting floppy diskettes.  All new blank diskettes must be formatted before they can be used.  fdformat formats and verifies each track on the diskette, and terminates if it finds any bad sectors.  Verification is done only if the −v option is used.  All existing data on the diskette, if any, is destroyed by formatting. 

By default, fdformat formats a high density diskette with a capacity of 1.44 megabytes.  Use the −L or −l option to format low density diskettes (720K capacity).  Use the −m option to format medium density diskettes (1.2 megabytes capacity). 

Medium and high densities use the same media (2HD), double side, high density diskettes. Low density uses only (2DD) diskettes.  Using (2DD) for (2HD) and vice versa, generally would not work.  High density diskettes can be recognized by the high density detect hole in the lower right corner of the diskette, opposite the write protect hole in the lower left corner.  Attempting to mask the high density detect hole to fake a low density diskette may not provide reliable media retention, or may not even work.  (if it works, use it at your own risk). 

Use the −t dos option (equivalent to the −d option) to put a MS-DOS file system on the diskette after format is done.  Otherwise, fdformat writes a SunOS label on the diskette in logical block 0 after it has been formatted.  The label is required on SPARC systems if you intend to put a UNIX file system on the floppy diskette. 

OPTIONS

−d Install a MS-DOS file system and boot sector on the disk after formatting.  This is equivalent to the MS-DOS FORMAT command. 

−e Eject the diskette when done. 

−f Force.  Do not ask for confirmation before starting format. 

−l Format a low density (720K) diskette. 

−m Format a medium density (1.2 megabyte) diskette (use only with −t nec option). 

−t dos Install a MS-DOS file system and boot sector on the disk after formatting.  This is equivalent to the MS-DOS FORMAT command, and the −d option. 

−t nec Install a NEC-DOS file system and boot sector on the disk after formatting.  This should be used only with the −m option. 

−v Verify the floppy diskette after formatting. 

−b label Put a MS-DOS label on the disk after formatting it.  This option is only meaningful when the −t dos (or −d) option is also set. 

FILES

/dev/rfd0c

/dev/diskette

/dev/rdiskette

SEE ALSO

fd(4), pcfs(7)

NOTES

A diskette formatted using the −t dos (or −d) option for MS-DOS will not have the necessary system files, and is therefore not bootable.  Trying to boot from it on a PC will result in the following message:

Non-System disk or disk error
Replace and strike any key when ready

BUGS

Currently bad sector mapping is not supported on floppy diskettes.  Therefore, a diskette is unusable if fdformat finds an error (bad sector). 

SunOS 5.1  —  Last change: 14 Sep 1992