Microsoft KB Archive/63229

Works 2.0: Formatting Disks with File Management Not Working

PSS ID Number: Q63229 Article last modified on 06-12-1996

2.00

MS-DOS

= SUMMARY =

In Works 2.00, when you choose File Management from the Format menu and then select Format Disk, Works assumes you intend to format a disk of the same density as the disk drive in which the disk is inserted.

If you attempt to format either a 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch low density disk disk in a high density disk drive, the formatting will be unsuccessful resulting in a large number of bad sectors or an error message similar to the following:

Invalid media or Track 0 bad - disk unusable Format Failure

= MORE INFORMATION =

If you want to format a low density disk in a high density disk drive from within Microsoft Works, you must create batch files with the proper formatting command syntax. Steps for creating these batch files are as follows:

For 3.5-Inch Low Density Disks
  At the DOS prompt in your Works directory, type the following and press ENTER: COPY CON FORMAT35.BAT   On the next line, type the following and press ENTER: FORMAT x: /N:9 /T:80&quot; (where x represents drive letter A or B)   On the next line, press CTRL+Z and then press ENTER. 

A batch file named FORMAT35.BAT has now been added to your Works directory. To enable easy access to this batch file from within Works, choose the Run Other Programs option from the File menu and add FORMAT35.BAT to the Programs list. When asked for the Program command, enter FORMAT35.

When you want to format a disk, insert the disk in the appropriate disk drive, choose the FORMAT.BAT option from Run Other Programs in the File menu, and press ENTER.

For 5.25-Inch Low Density Disks
Repeat the steps shown above, with the following modifications:


 * 1) Substitute FORMAT52.BAT for FORMAT35 in Step 1.
 * 2) Substitute Format x: /4 for Format x: /N:9 /T:80 in Step 2.

For more information on formatting disks, consult your DOS user’s guide.

For more information on the use of the Works File Management and Run Other Programs features, see Pages 281 and 287 of your “Microsoft Works Reference” manual for Works 2.0.

KBCategory: kbother KBSubcategory: dworkskb Additional reference words: 2.0

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================================================================ Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1996.