                                   FORMAT
      Initializes a disk or partition to accept MS-DOS files
                        See also <SYS> <LABEL> <VOL>

FORMAT checks for any defective tracks, and prepares the disk to
accept DOS files.  It creates the directory and file allocation tables
(FAT) and assigns a unique volume serial number.  It may also
optionally copy the MSDOS system files to the new disc.

COMMAND TYPE: External                  VERSION: 2.0 and up

USE:  FORMAT d:[/S][/1][/4][/8][/B] [/n:sectors][/t:tracks][/v:label]
             [/f:size]

d:  is the drive to be formatted.
/S  copies the system files from the source disk to the destination
    disk and makes the disk bootable.  There are three system files:
        IBMBIO.COM     IBMDOS.COM   COMMAND.COM
        (these files may have different names on non-IBM systems)
/1  formats a diskette on 1 side only making it a single sided
    diskette regardless of the drive type used.
/4  formats a 360k (DSDD) diskette in a high capacity drive.  Such disks
    may not always be read reliably by 360k drives because of the narrower
    tracks.
/8  formats a disk using 8 sectors per track.  (Obsolete - required to
    remain compatible with version 1.1 of DOS)
/V  will allow you to add a volume label to the diskette being
    formatted. Volume labels are a way to identify individual
    diskettes.  The label (up to 11 characters) may be specified after /v
    or will be prompted for when formatting is complete.
/B  formats a diskette using 8 sectors per track and allocates space
    for system files to be transferred later (using the SYS
    command). Using the /B option will allow you to install any
    version of the DOS system files.

(MSDOS 4.x extensions)
/t:tracks  specifies the number of tracks to place on the disc
/n:sectors specifies the number of sectors to place on the disc
/f:size    specifies the size of the diskette.  MSDOS chooses the
           appropriate number of tracks and sectors.  Allowable values are
           160k 180k 320k 360k 720k 1200k 1440k (may be specified with
           "k", "kb" or neither).  This cannot be used the /t or /n

By default, FORMAT will use the drive specification to determine the type
of disc according to the the physical drive addressed by that letter.  If
it is a non-removable hard disc, FORMAT will request confirmation before
proceeding.

EXAMPLE: FORMAT C: /S /V
FORMATS drive C:, copies the SYSTEM files to drive C:, and prompts the
user for a VOLUME LABEL.

NOTE: FORMAT destroys any existing data on the disk, and ignores any
drive reassignments made via the <ASSIGN> command.
