FORMAT, FDFORMAT(1,C) AIX Commands Reference FORMAT, FDFORMAT(1,C) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- format, fdformat PURPOSE Formats diskettes. SYNTAX +------------+ +- -d/dev/fd0 -+ format ---| +----+ |---| |---| +---| -e |---+ +-- -ddevice --+ ^ | -f | | | | -l | | | +----+ | +--------+ +------+ fdformat ---| |--- device ---| +- -h -+ Note: The command is for the PS/2 only. DESCRIPTION The format command formats diskettes in the specified device (/dev/fd0 by default). The format command determines the device type, which is one of the following: o a "5-1/2" low density diskette (360K) containing 40x2 tracks, each with nine sectors o a "5-1/2" high capacity diskette (1.2M) containing 80x2 tracks, each with 15 sectors o a "3-1/2" low density diskette (720K) containing 80x2 tracks, each with nine sectors o a "3-1/2" high capacity diskette (1.4M) containing 80x2 tracks, each with 18 sectors o a "3-1/2" high capacity diskette (2.88M) containing 80x2 tracks, each with 36 sectors The sector size is 512 bytes for all diskette types. Processed August 22, 1991 FORMAT, FDFORMAT(1,C) 1 FORMAT, FDFORMAT(1,C) AIX Commands Reference FORMAT, FDFORMAT(1,C) The fdformat command formats a diskette for low density unless the -h flag is specified. The format command formats a diskette for high density unless device specifies a different density, or the -l flag is specified. Before formatting a diskette, format and fdformat prompt for verification. This allows a user to abort the operation cleanly. Formatting a diskette destroys existing data. Note: The fdformat command is placed in /usr/ucb as a link to the AIX format command. FLAGS -ddevice Specifies the device containing the diskette to be formatted. -e Formats a 2.88M diskette in a "3-1/2" 2.88M diskette drive. -f Formats the diskette without checking for bad tracks, thus formatting the diskette faster. -l Formats a 360K diskette in a "5-1/2" 1.2M diskette drive. Formats a 720K diskette in a "3-1/2" 1.4M diskette drive. Warning: A 360K diskette drive may not be able to read a 360K diskette that has been formatted in a 1.2M drive. -h Force high-density formatting. device Device containing the diskette to be formatted (/dev/rfd0 for drive 0). FILES /dev/rfd[01] RELATED INFORMATION See the following command: "flcopy" See the fd file in AIX Operating System Technical Reference. Processed August 22, 1991 FORMAT, FDFORMAT(1,C) 2