FILE: FORMAT.HLP for FORMAT.MNU
1FORMATTING FLOPPY DISKS

There are now two standard disk sizes and several formats in use on IBM-
compatible computers.  You need to know:

     (1) The size of your disk to be formatted which is either 3-1/2"
         or 5-1/4".
     (2) The capacity of your disk.  The disk label should indicate this
         typically as "DS/DD" which means the disk is double-sided,
         double density.  "DS/HD" is double-sided, high density

The menu lists disks by size and density along with the type of drive in
which the disk can be formatted.  Select the choice which matches the
disk and the drive in your computer.

IBM PC & XT machines usually have 360K double-sided, double-density
drives installed.  IBM AT machines are usually equipped with 1.2M double-
sided, high-density drives.

IBM PS/2 machines have either 720K DS/DD or 1.44M DS/HD 3-1/2" drives.
Refer to the manual to determine which you have.

IBM PS/2 machines may also be equipped with 360K DS/DD 5-1/4" external
drives.  In a typical configuration, the internal 3-1/2" drive is drive
A: and the external 5-1/4" drive is named drive B:.

In almost all cases, the leftmost or uppermost drive in a PC is drive A:
and the rightmost or next lower drive is drive B:.  External drives (those
contained in a separate enclosure are designated as drive B: if there is
only one internal drive and as drive D: if there are two internal drives. 

You cannot format drive C: (a hard drive) from this facility.


2DUPLICATING A DISKETTE

In order to duplicate a diskette, the source disk and the target disk
must be of the same size and capacity.

You will need to enter the source drive (the drive containing the disk
you wish to duplicate) and the target drive (the drive containing the disk
that is to receive the duplicated information).

If you have two identical drives, you can duplicate from one to the other.
Otherwise, you may specify the same drive as both the source and the
target drive.  The program will tell you when to change disks.

PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL TO FOLLOW THE DISK CHANGE REQUESTS WHEN THEY APPEAR.
It is very easy to become confused and use the wrong disk.
