Format-Getting A Diskette Ready To Be Used; Before You Begin - IBM 5150 Manual To Operations

FORMAT-Getting a Diskette Ready to Be Used
The FORMAT command gets a diskette ready to receive
information. FORMAT checks the diskette for bad
spots, builds a directory to hold information about the
files that will eventually be written on it, and optionally,
~
copies the DOS system files onto the diskette.
Sometimes the terms "initializing" and "preparing" are
used instead of "formatting."
You must use FORMAT before you try to use a new
diskette.
You can use FORMAT if a diskette has developed
defective areas. FORMAT makes sure these areas are
not used for your files. CHKDSK will tell you if there
are defective areas on your diskette.
You can also use FORMAT as a way to prepare a diskette
that has information you no longer need for use again.
DO NOT use FORMAT each and every time you want
~
to put information on a diskette, because FORMAT
wipes off what was there already.
To sum up, you need to use FORMAT once per diskette,
when it is new. Very occasionally you will re-FORMAT
a diskette if it has defective areas or if you want to
forget what was on it and use it as if it were new.
Before You Begin
Have on hand your DOS Diskette, and the diskette you
want to format.
Also decide whether you want a copy of DOS on your
new diskette. Sometimes you will want DOS on a
diskette if you will be putting major programs on it.
On the other hand, if the diskette is going to be used for
data files, you will probably not want DOS on the
diskette.
DOS 3-50