Commodore 1581 - How to Prepare a New Diskette

NOTE
Throughout this manual, when the format for a com
mand is giv^n, it will follow a particular style. Anything that
is capitalized must be typed in exactly as it is shown (these
commands are listed in capital letters for style purposes,
DO NOT use the SHIFT key when entering these com
mands). Anything in lower case is more or less a definition
of what belongs there. Anything in brackets is optional.
For instance, in the format for the HEADER command
given on the following page, the word HEADER, the capital I
in lid, the capital D in Ddrive#, and the capital U in Ude*-
vice# must all be typed in as is (Ddrive# and Udevice# are
optional).
On the other hand, diskette name tells you that you
must enter a name for the diskette, but it is up to you to
decide what that name will be. Also, the id in lid is left to
your discretion, as is the device# in Udevice#. The drive#
in Ddrive# is always 0 on the 1581, but could be 0 or 1 on a
dual disk drive. Be aware, however, that there are certain
limits placed on what you can use. In each case, those limits
are explained immediately following the format (for in
stance, the diskette name cannot be more than sixteen
characters
and the device# is usually 8).
Also be sure to type in all punctuation exactly where
and how it is shown in the format.
Finally, press the RETURN key at the end of each
command.
HOW TO PREPARE A NEW DISKETTE
A diskette needs a pattern of circular magnetic tracks in order for
the drive's read/write head to find things on it. This pattern is not on
your diskettes when you buy them, but you can use the HEADER
command or the NEW command to add it to a diskette. That is known
as formatting the disk. This is the command to use with the C128 in
C128 mode or Plus/4:
HEADER "diskette name",Iid,Ddrive#[,Udevice#]
Where:
"diskette name" is any desired name for the diskette, up to 16 charac-
10