-----------------------  FORMAT - External DOS Command  ------------------------

FORMAT initializes a new disk for use with DOS.

FORMAT:   FORMAT [d:][/S][/1][/8][/V][/B]

REMARKS:

   d: - the drive of the disk to be initialized.  If omitted, the default drive
        is assumed.
   /S - copies the operating system files from the default drive to the new
        disk.  The new disk will be capable of starting DOS.
   /1 - formats a diskette for single-sided use only.
   /8 - formats a diskette with 8 sectors per track.  If omitted, 9 sectors per
        track is assumed.
   /V - lets you assign a volume label to the disk.  The label may be from 1 to
        11 characters.
   /B - formats an 8 sector per track diskette with space allocated for DOS
        system files.  The system files are not placed on the diskette.  This
        allows both DOS Version 1 and Version 2 to be placed on the diskette
        with the SYS command.  If /B is not used, only DOS Version 2 can be put
        on the diskette with the SYS command.

   /V cannot be used with /8.  /V and /S cannot be used with /B.

   Valid characters for a volume label are:

          A-Z, 0-9, and the symbols:  $ & # @ ! % ` ' ( ) - { } _ ^ ~

   Existing information on a disk will be lost when the disk is formatted.

   If defective tracks are detected during the format, they will be marked as
   reserved to prevent their use.

   FORMAT produces a status report as shown below.  The line numbers are added
   for reference in the explanation below:

      1   362496 bytes total disk space
      2    40960 bytes used by system
      3   321536 bytes available on disk

      Line 1 - total space on the disk.
      Line 2 - total space used by DOS system files.
      Line 3 - total space available for use.


NOTE:  The VOL command can be used to display a volume label.  A volume label
   can be created only at the time the disk is formatted.


WARNING:  Existing information on a disk will be lost when the disk is
   formatted.  If the drive letter, d:, is omitted, FORMAT assumes the disk in
   the default drive is to be formatted.  This can be dangerous since you could
   accidentally format the wrong disk.  Be sure you have specified the correct
   drive letter before issuing a FORMAT command.


EXAMPLES:

Format a diskette in drive B:

          FORMAT B:


Format a diskette in drive B.  Give the diskette the volume label "123DATA":

          FORMAT B:/V

          Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)? 123DATA

                                                          
                        DOS prompt           enter 123DATA and press RETURN


Format a diskette in drive B.  Copy the operating system files during the
format so the new diskette will be capable of starting DOS:

          FORMAT B:/S
