Page 5-12
Chapter Five
AM-6000 Computer Owner's Manual, Rev. 00
FORMATTING AND INITIALIZING A DISKETTE
Before you use a new diskette for the first time, you must format it. Formatting configures the diskette
so it is ready to receive and hold data in the pattern your computer uses. Then you must initialize the
diskette, which sets up its initial account structure.
Follow the steps below to format and initialize a diskette.
These steps erase any data already on a diskette! Make sure the diskette is empty or does not
contain files you need before you format it.
To see if there are files on the diskette, type
DIR Devn:[]
RETURN
, where
Devn:
is the device name
of the diskette drive.
1. Use the LOG command to log into the System Operator account [1,2] on DSK0:. Type:
LOG OPR:
RETURN
Logged into OPR:
If you weren't already logged in, enter your user name when the prompt for it displays.
2. Insert the diskette into the drive as described in Chapter 3. Don't use the MOUNT command.
Instead, enter:
FMT219 Devn:
RETURN
where Devn: is the name of your diskette drive—probably FLP0: or MIN0:. (Chapter 3 discusses
device naming conventions.) You now see the message:
BEGIN FORMATTING
When it is finished, FMT219 displays:
EXIT
The diskette is now formatted. Before you can use the diskette, you need to initialize it.
3. Use the SYSACT command to initialize the diskette. Type:
SYSACT Devn:
RETURN
4. SYSACT displays its prompt symbol, an asterisk. Type
I
RETURN
(the SYSACT Initialize
command):
*I
RETURN
SYSACT now asks you to confirm this command:
Initializing the disk clears all files -
enter Y to confirm:
Initializing the diskette erases any data on it, so be sure the correct diskette is in the drive
and you entered the correct device name before you answer.
Type
Y
RETURN
. Now SYSACT asks you:
You’ll now see this prompt:
