Thread: Format Command

Before We can' use floppy disks to store information or files, we have to prepare them for use.This is acheived by the FORMAT command. FORMAT will structure the disk into concentric circles called tracks. each pie-slice or segment through a number of-tracks is called a sector. The number of tracks and sectors on a disk determines its storage capacity.



FORMA T will automatically allocate the right number of tracks and sectors, depending on the storage capacity of your disk and the type of disk drive we have. To FORMAT a disk in drive A (say), type

C:\format A:

DOS will then prompt you to insert a disk:

Insert new diskette for drive A: and press ENTER when ready After you insert the disk, press the Enter key:

Checking existing disk format saving UNFORMAT information verifying 1.44M
xx percent of disk formatted

Finally, the disk gets formatted and the progress can be monitored from the per cent figure being incremental. When it is all completed, DOS will display the following:

Formatting will wipe off any information that you may have on the disk. Therefore, before you format the disk, be careful to check whether the disk contains any valuable information that might get erased.