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#### FORMATS.BIN

Install RAMDOS then:
`RUN "FORMATS"`

FORMATS invites you to:

1. View or Change format of a drive
2. Format a disc
3. Customise RAMDOS.BIN
4. Examine the Disc Parameter Blocks
5. Change the Disc Parameter Blocks
6. Catalogue disc
7. Change USER number
8. Disc Copy
9. Test format of Drive B

#### 1. Change formats

This allows the computer to be set to read and write different disc formats. Before formatting a disc, you will need to use this function to set the drive to the format which you wish the disc to have.

The formats available for drive B are:

Format | Sides | Tracks | Directory entries | Capacity
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dl | Double | 80 | 128 | 716K
D10 | Double | 80 | 128 | 796K
D2 | Double | 80 | 256 | 712K
D20 | Double | 80 | 256 | 792K
D40 | Double | 40 | 128 | 396K
D8O | Single | 80 | 128 | 396K
0 | Other formats

The formats available for drive A are:

Format | Sides | Tracks | Directory entries | Capacity
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
D (Data) | Single | 40 tracks | 64 | 178K
S (System) | Single | 40 tracks | 64 | 169K
P (PCW) | Single | 40 tracks | 64 | 173K
B (Buffer) | used for copying a 5.25" disc
0 | Other formats

It is better to chose one format for all your discs. Format D1 provides maximum compatibility with software such as disc editors, while D10 provides maximum storage space. D20, which sacrifices a little storage space to provide twice as much directory space, is the default format, but this default can be changed by using function 3. To use different formats with the CP/M versions, see the relevant notes below.

The Buffer format is needed for function 8 (see below). The "Other" option allows you to define your own format. within sensible limits.

When using 256 directory entries, never allow more than 140 files per User group. For further information, see the Technical Details below.