User`s guide
______________________________
007- How do I create new DOS 3.3 diskettes?
One of the best features of DOS 3.3 is that any bootable DOS diskette can
create other bootable diskettes.
INIT HELLO - formats one side of the diskette in the currently active drive,
adds DOS, and saves the current program as HELLO.
The program that's automatically placed on the new diskette is the one in
memory when INIT is executed. It is called the "greeting program" or "hello
program" because it is the program which will be run when the diskette is
booted. Usually, the program is named HELLO; but, you can INIT HOWDY, or any
name you like. The hello program can be very simple, such as ...
100 PRINT CHR$(4) "CATALOG"
110 END
You are free to load in and change the hello program or even delete it, just
like any other. The one restriction is that once a diskette is INITed, the name
of the hello program is fixed for that diskette unless you use a utility (like
Copy II+) to make a change. This is why it's a good idea to stick with the name
HELLO. You will always know what the hello program's name is.
Once a diskette is INITed it can be used to store your programs and data
files.
______________________________
008- How much storage space is on a newly INITialized
5.25" diskette?
A standard DOS 3.3 diskette has 35 Tracks. Each Track contains 16 256- byte
Sectors. This gives 35 x 16 x 256 = 143360 bytes per side. Current versions of
DOS 3.3-- e.g. Prontodos, etc.-- use Track 0 and Track 1 plus a sector on Track
2 for DOS; and, Track 17 is used for holding the Catalog of files and other disk
information. This leaves roughly 130k bytes per side free for your HELLO program
and other files.
By the way, when it comes to the way it is stored on-disk, DOS 3.3 is not
like the PC's MSDOS or Apple's ProDOS. DOS 3.3 is 'hidden' on reserved tracks,
mainly Tracks 0 and 1. There is no "DOS 3.3" file which will show up on a
CATALOG.
______________________________
009- On my PC I can FORMAT diskettes with or without
adding the operating system. Can I format a DOS 3.3
diskette for just data storage? -- i.e. without adding
DOS or a HELLO program?