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mformat(1)
NAME
  mformat - mtools utility to add a DOS file system to a low-level formatted
  diskette

SYNOPSIS
  mformat [-t tracks] [-h heads] [-s vectors] [-l volumelabel] drive:

OPTIONS
  -t tracks
      Specifies the number of tracks (not cylinders) on the diskette.

  -h heads
      Specifies the number of heads (sides) on the diskette.

  -s sectors
      Specifies the number of sectors per track.

  -l volumelabel
      Specifies the volume label.  This is an optional option.

DESCRIPTION
				     Note

       You must specify the floppy disk storage device that is to be
       formatted.  If you do not specify a device, or if a device is not
       found, the command may incorrectly format a SCSI device which could be
       a system or data disk.

  The mformat command adds a minimal DOS compatible file system (boot sector,
  FAT, and root directory) to a UNIX formatted diskette.  If the diskette is
  unformatted, you must low-format the disk. You can do this with a PC
  system, or on Tru64 UNIX using either the scu utility or the fddisk
  utility, depending on your floppy drive.  Tru64 UNIX supports both FDI and
  SCSI attached 3.5" floppy drives with DD, HD, or ED media.  Not all floppy
  drives are compatible with ED media.

  The following track/head/sector values are supported:

  ______________________________________________________________
  Media		   Capacity		Tracks	 Heads	 Sectors
  type	  KB/MB	   Bytes      Sectors	-t	 -h	 -s
  ______________________________________________________________
  DD	  720KB	   737280     1440	80	 2	 9
  HD	  1.44MB   1474560    2880	80	 2	 18
  ED	  2.88MB   2949120    5760	80	 2	 36
  ______________________________________________________________

  To format a diskette for other than the ED 2.88MB default capacity, you
  must specify the number of sectors per track with the -s option. No error
  is returned if you use mformat to put an ED file system onto an HD floppy,
  but you will get errors from other utilities if you try to write beyond the
  physical end of the media.

RESTRICTIONS
  The following restrictions apply:

    ·  The mformat command requires a low-level format utility from UNIX.

    ·  The mformat command does not detect (or record) bad block information.

EXIT STATUS
  The following exit values are returned:

  0   Success.

  1   Failure.

EXAMPLES
   1.  In the following example, a SCSI floppy diskette is formatted at the
       ED 2.88MB capacity, then a DOS file system is initialized with
       mformat:
	    $ /sbin/scu -f /dev/rdisk/dsk/6a format density ED
	    $ mformat a:

   2.  In the following example, an FDI floppy diskette is formatted at the
       HD 1.44MB capacity, then a DOS file system is initialized with
       mformat, a file is copied to the diskette, and the mdir command is
       used to check the contents of the diskette.  The mlabel command is
       used to add a label and mdir is used to again check the diskette
       contents.  Finally, a DD file system is placed on the diskette, mcopy
       is used to place a file on it, and mdir is used to verify the diskette
       contents:

	    $ fddisk -fmt /dev/rfd0a

	    NOTE:  Setting interleave factor to ``-i2:4''.
		   Use ``-i<nnn>[:<ccc>]'' option to override.
	    Disk type: 3.50 inch, HD  (1.44MB)
	    Number of sectors per track: 18
	    Number of surfaces:	  2
	    Number of cylinders: 80
	    Sector size:  512
	    interleave factor:	2:4
	    Formatting disk...	Percentage complete:
	     Format complete, checking...
	     Quick check of disk passes OK.

	    $ mformat -s 18 a:
	    $ mcopy README a:

	    Copying README

	    $ mdir a:

	    Volume in drive A has no label
	    Directory for A:/

	    README		 769	6-04-97	  8:59a
		   1 File(s)	 1456640 bytes free

	    $ mlabel a:
	    Volume in drive A is unlabeled
	    Enter the new volume label (11 characters): hddisk

	    $ mdir a:Volume in drive A is hddisk
	    Directory for A:/

	    README		 769	6-04-97	  8:59a
		   1 File(s)	 1456640 bytes free

	    $ mformat -s 9 -l dddisk a:
	    $ mcopy README a:README.1
	    $ mdir a:

	     Volume in drive A is dddisk
	     Directory for A:/

	    README   1		 769	6-04-97	  9:16a
		   1 File(s)	 729088 bytes free

   3.  In the following example, an unformatted 2.8Mb floppy diskette is
       formatted using the scu command, followed by the mformat command.
       Once it is formatted by both the scu and mformat commands, it is ready
       for use:
	    $ /sbin/scu -f /dev/disk/floppy format density ED
	    $ mformat -t 80 -h 2 -s 36 a:

FILES
  /usr/bin/mtools/mformat
      Executable file

SEE ALSO
  Commands: mlabel(1), mtools(1)

  Utilities: fddisk(8), scu(8)

  Floppy disk interface: fd(7)

Index for Section 1

Alphabetical listing for M

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