Formatting Diskettes
When you get a new carton of diskettes, they are not yet ready
to be used. First, they must be prepared to accept data. This is
called “formatting” the diskette.
MS-DOS uses the same formatting method regardless of the
computer used. This is one of the keys to intermachine
compatibility. Since all PC-compatible computers use MS-DOS,
they can read all disks created by any other PC-compatible
machine.
Note
MS-DOS formats disks with a different “pattern” than
Apple-DOS or CP/M. This is why your computer system
cannot read these “foreign” disks.
To see what happens when you attempt to use an unformatted
disk, insert a new blank diskette into the A drive and close the
drive door. Then enter the following command:
Since the new disk hasn’t been formatted yet, your computer
cannot read it. After failing three times, your computer will
respond:
General
Failure error reading
drive
A
Abort, Retry, Failure?
If you type R (for Retry), or A (for Abort), the computer will
attempt to read the diskette again, and will finally display the
same message.
Using
Floppy Disks
5-3
Summary of Contents for CW3S16 Canadian Product
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