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INSIDE THE 1571 DISK DRIVE
by
Robert W. Baker
COMMODORE MICROCOMPUTERS MAGAZINE
May/June, 1986
p.108
This utility was designed to
give you the most out of the
Commodore 1571 disk drive, C-128
combination, but it works equally
well as a handy utility program for
1541 drive and C-64. The easy to
use, menu-driven program has
functions that let you lock and
unlock files, change the disk name,
and issue disk commands.
But the main feature of the program
is the expanded disk directory
provided by the first two functions.
These functions will identify the
files on the second side of a double
sided diskette-- letting you know for
sure which files on a double-sided
diskette may be used on a single-sided
drive.
When you are running this program,
be sure that you select a function
from the main menu only after you
have the correct disk in the drive.
If you do not have a disk in the
drive, you will get an error message
and be prompted to press any key.
Pressing a key any time you receive
an error message will abort the
function and return you to the main
menu.
NORMAL and FULL DIRECTORY
Before these two options display
the disk directory, you are first
given the option of making a printout
of the disk information. Respond with
a (Y)es or (N)o. The program then
displays the disk name and I.D., the
format, number of blocks free, and
whether the disk was formatted as a
single or double-sided disk.
The NORMAL DIRECTORY function will
display only the active files on a
disk (those that have not been
deleted). The FULL DIRECTORY function
will display everything, including
deleted files.
These functions will also display
whether a file is "locked" (L), open
(O), or utilizes tracks 36 through
70 (2). With a locked file, a special
bit, or flag, is set that prevents
that file from being scratched, or
erased.
If you are making a printout of the
directory, pressing any key will halt
the printing. Pressing a key again
will resume printing. Pressing "Q"
will end the printout and return you
to the main menu.
LOCK/UNLOCK FILE
This function allows you to lock or
unlock any file on the disk. When
you are prompted, enter the file name
of the file you want to update. Once
the file is found, the usual directory
information is displayed. Then you
are asked to confirm that you want
the locked/open status of the file
switched. Respond with a (Y)es or
(N)o. A "N" will abort the function
without changing the directory.
Note that if the file is not
properly closed, the lock flag cannot
be modified, which will be indicated
by an error message.
CHANGE DISK NAME
This function allows you to change
the 16-character disk name. After
the usual disk information has been
displayed, you will be promted to
enter the new name (under
16-characters long.) Pressing RETURN
without entering anything will abort
this function. Also note that this
utility will not change the disk I.D.
ISSUE DISK COMMAND
If you are running this program on
a 1541 disk drive, this is your last
available function. It allows you to
send commands directly to the disk
controller. When prompted, enter the
command you want, enclosed in quotes,
and in the proper command format.
If you are running this program on
a 1571 disk drive, you have another
option on the main menu. This option
allows you to switch the drive from
single to double-sided mode and vice
versa.
QUIT
This function will terminate the
program.
For more information on this
utility program and the ins and outs
of the 1571 drive itself, consult
Baker's tutorial in the COMMODORE
MICROCOMPUTERS MAGAZINE,
May/June,1986.
FILES REQUIRED:
INSIDE THE 1571
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