fdformat(1)
NAME
fdformat − format floppy diskettes
SYNOPSIS
fdformat [ −dDeEfHlLqvx ] [ −b label ] [ −B filename ] [ −i n ] [ devname ]
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 indicates whether any bad sectors were encountered. All existing data on the diskette, if any, is destroyed by formatting.
By default, fdformat formats the diskette to the configured capacity of the drive. A 5.25" high density drive uses diskettes with a formatted capacity of 1.2 megabytes. A 3.5" high density drive uses diskettes with a formatted capacity of 1.44 megabytes. Use the −D option, the −l option, or the −L option to format double density diskettes (720K capacity). Note: it is not possible to put a double density format onto a high density floppy diskette. 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.
Use the −d option to format a disk for an MS-DOS file system. Otherwise, fdformat writes a SunOS label on the diskette in logical block 0 after it has been formatted. The label is required on Solaris systems if you intend to put a UNIX file system on the diskette.
OPTIONS
−d Format an MS-DOS floppy diskette. This is equivalent to the MS-DOS FORMAT command.
−D Format a 720K double density floppy diskette (same as −l or −L).
−e Eject the diskette when done.
−E Format an Extended density 2.88 megabyte (3.5") diskette.
−f Force. Do not ask for confirmation before starting format.
−H Format a high density 1.2 megabyte (5.25") diskette or 1.44 megabyte (3.5") diskette.
−l Format a 720K double density floppy diskette (same as −D or −L).
−L Format a 720K double density floppy diskette (same as −l or −D).
−q Quiet. Do not print status messages.
−v Verify each block of the diskette.
−x Skip the format, and only install a SunOS or MS-DOS label.
−b label Label an MS-DOS floppy diskette with label. This option is only meaningful when the −d option is also set.
−B filename Install special boot loader on MS-DOS diskette.
−i n Use n as the interleave factor; the default is 1.
devname Replace devname with fd0 to use the first drive or fd1 to use the second drive. If devname is omitted, the default used will be /dev/rfd0c.
FILES
/dev/rfd0c
SEE ALSO
NOTES
A diskette formatted using the −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: 31 May 1993