Formatting a floppy diskette

Formatting a floppy disk that can be used on both a Linux system and a DOS based system is a two step process.

First you need to use the “fdformat” Linux utility to perform a low-level format of the diskette and then you use the “mformat” mtools utility to create a DOS file system on the disk

To perform a low-level format

1. While logged in as root, insert a 3.5 inch, high-density floppy disk into the disk drive.
(Make sure the floppy is NOT write protected.)

2. Use the “fdformat” command. Type:

QUIZ

Explain what each part (i, ii, iii, and iv) of the arguments of the “fdformat” command stands for?
The parts have been broken down below for you. (You may of course consult the man page for the command)

i - fdformat
ii - /dev/fd0
iii - H
iv - 1440

To create a DOS file system on the floppy

You will use the “mformat” utility to add an MSDOS file system to the low-level formatted floppy disk you create earlier.

1. With the formatted floppy still in the drive type:

QUIZ:

What does the “z:” argument in the above command do?

What do you need to do so that you can use the letter “a:” instead?

mtools commands

You will use the “mdir” mtool command to list the contents of the floppy disk.
You will also use one of the mtools commands (mcopy) to copy files from a directory on your hard drive to a floppy disk.

To use mdir

1. List the contents of the floppy, using mdir. Type:

QUIZ

How many files or directories do you have on the floppy?

To use mcopy

1. Create an empty directory in your home directory called “floppy-files”.

QUIZ:

What is the command to do this?


2. Change to the directory you created above.

3. Create 4 empty files in the “floppy-files” directory. Type:


4. Copy all the files (f1, f2, f3, f4) from your local directory to the floppy disk. Type:

5. Now list the contents of the floppy disk again. Type:

To use mdel

1. Use the “mdel” command to delete the files, f1 and f2 from the floppy disk. Type:



2. Use the “mdir” command again to list the contents of the floppy.

QUIZ:

How many files do you have in there now?


List the other mtools commands you can use on a Linux system?

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