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FMT version 1.00, Copyright (C) 1990 Clair Alan Hardesty

  Floppy disk formatter for AT compatible computers

Features:

  1: Format verification is an option, allowing fast formatting on
      known good media.

  2: The system files may be copied, producing a bootable floppy

  3: The `insert disk' prompt may be bypassed, easing use in batch files

  4: All program output is to STDOUT, allowing redirection

  5: Extensively commented source code included

  6: The boot sector data is coded entirely in assembly language

  7: A plethora of error messages and exit codes provide detailed
      program fault information

  8: Program progress display is informative without being verbose

  9: Small code size: less than 6 Kb

 10: The floppy boot sector contains the drive parameter table,
      this should help in making nonstandard formats bootable,
      (something for the next revision)

 11: A liberal source code license is available at resonable cost

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The source code for FMT has been included for several major reasons:

  1: To provide the user with peace of mind, (you are encouraged to
      examine the source and compile it yourself), as any program
      that does low level disk I/O is a potential nemesis

  2: To share what I have learned from writing it with others

  3: To encourage others to do likewise

  4: To show off (not too boisterously, but I am proud of my work)

The source code is copyrighted, unlicensed users are not permitted to
 use any portion of the source code in programs they distribute, they
 are, however, permitted to use any part or all of the source code in
 programs written and maintained for personal use.

Licensed users are permitted to use any portion of the source code in
 any program written for distribution, commercial or otherwise,
 including distribution of the source code, providing credit is given
 where credit is due.

You are encouraged to distribute the original files, provided they
 are unaltered and distributed as a set.  The files are:

  1: FMT.ASM
  2: FMT.COM
  3: FMT.DOC

If you use and enjoy this program, any contribution to encourage my
 efforts would br greatly appriciated.

  If you send $10 or more, you will be receive:

    1: The latest version of the source code on your choice of media

        (3«" 720 Kb or 5¬" 1.2 Mb)

    2: A selection of other utilities I have written (with source code)

  If you send $25 or more, you will also receive:

    1: A signed and dated source code license

    2: The next major release (with source) when available

  Make check or money order payable to: Clair Hardesty

  Send to:

  Clair Alan Hardesty
  10301 Johnson Av
  Cupertino, CA 95014

I may be contacted at:

  (408) 446-0550 Voice,

  CompuServe 75350,16,

  or in writing at the above address

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 command line syntax: fmt d: size [v] [s] [n]

  where: d = drive (A or B), size = floppy size in Kb,

   the optional v enables format verification,

   the optional s copies the system files,

   and the optional n bypasses the `insert floppy' prompt

  supported sizes are:

   360 for a 360 Kb floppy in a 360 Kb or 1.2 Mb drive
   720 for a 720 Kb floppy in a 720 Kb or 1.44 Mb drive
   1200 for a 1.2 Mb floppy in a 1.2 Mb drive
   1440 for a 1.44 Mb floppy in a 1.44 Mb drive

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Exit codes:

  0 = successful format
  1 = failure during format, verify, or write
  2 = disk size / drive type combination is not supported
  3 = requested drive does not exist
  4 = invalid or null command line
  5 = system files not found or error writing system files
  6 = computer is not AT compatible
  7 = insufficient memory for file copy buffer (system transfer)

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In order to use the system transfer option, the following files

  must be in the root directory of the default drive:

    1: IBMBIO.COM (should be a hidden file)

    2: IBMDOS.COM (should be a hidden file)

    3: COMMAND.COM

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To ease use in batch files:

  1: use the no prompt option
  2: redirect output to the NUL file
  3: test the exit code

  example:

    fmt b: 360 n > nul
    if errorlevel 1 goto failure
    echo Format succeeded
    goto success
    :failure
    echo Format failed
    :success

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To compile with Borland Turbo Assembler version 1.0 or greater:

    tasm /t fmt

    tlink /t /x fmt

      or

    tasm /t /zi fmt

    tlink /v /x fmt

    tdstrip -c -s fmt

      for use with Turbo Debugger

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To compile with Microsoft Macro Assembler version 5.1 or greater:

    masm /t fmt;

    link fmt;

    exe2bin fmt fmt.com

    del fmt.exe

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  Microsoft(R) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

  IBM(R) and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International

   Business Machines Corporation

  Turbo Assembler(R) and Turbo Debugger(R) are registered trademarks

   of Borland International

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