Microsoft KB Archive/51804

Information on Formatting 160K or 360K Disks PSS ID Number: Q51804 Article last modified on 09-16-1993 PSS database name: O_MSDOS

4.00 4.01

MS-DOS

= SYMPTOMS =

When formatting a 160K or 320K disk with either of the following command lines, you are not prompted for a volume label, nor is a volume serial number displayed:

FORMAT A: /f:160 FORMAT A: /f:320

= CAUSE =

FORMAT does NOT allow the use of newer disk formatting abilities, such as /V (volume label) or extended BPB (including the volume serial number), on older style disks that are formatted using 160K or 320K format, since these are targeted to be compatible with MS-DOS Versions 1.x, which don’t understand these new abilities.

Additional reference words: 4.00 4.01 noupd

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.