Personal Computer User Manual

You can reformat previously used diskettes. This process erases
all data on the diskette, so be sure you do not want to save any
of the data on a used diskette before you format it.
If you plan to use a new diskette to make a backup copy of
another diskette, you do not need to use the FORMAT
command to format it first. The DISKCOPY command
automatically formats a blank diskette if it has never been
formatted. (See “Using the DISKCOPY Command,” later in
this chapter.)
Also see your MS-DOS Reference Manual for information
about the optional switches you can use with the FORMAT
command to format various diskette types in different types of
drives.
Note
You can also format diskettes using the MS-DOS Shell or the
Epson MENU program. These programs are easy to use
because they let you select options from menus instead of
using commands, See your MS-DOS Shell User’s Guide and
“Using the Epson MENU Program,” later in this chapter.
Using the FORMAT Command
1. If you do not have a hard disk, insert your Startup diskette
into drive A, and log onto drive A.
If you have a hard disk, type C : and press Enter to log onto
drive C.
2. At the MS-DOS prompt, type FORMAT A: and press
Enter. You see this prompt:
Insert new diskette for drive A:
and press ENTER when ready...
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Using MS-DOS with Your Equity 386SX