MS-DOS disk format/layout

[Victor Gavin]

I'm looking for any information about MS-DOS disk formats (5.25" and 3.5")
and how the file system is layed out.

Things like how to find a file from the FAT, how a directory is layed out and
how to search it.

If anyone could help me, it would be most appreciated.

vic {..!mcvax!ukc!zen.co.uk!vic}

[pri...@nadc.arpa]

The original poster of this query has too bizarre an address to hope to reply
directly - and it may be of general interest:

[SIMTEL20] PD:<CPM.DSKUTL>RDMS233.LBR

This file in the SIMTEL20 archives reads MSDOS diskettes from CP/M, and thus
contains (embedded within the C code for the most part) the requested info on
FAT and directory layouts on 5.25 inch MSDOS diskettes, including subdirector-
ies. It indeed searches for files and copies them to CP/M format. There are
a couple of bugs in that version, especially when reading subdirectories, but
the general principles are accurate. I am preparing to post a Commodore 128
version of this program to the SIMTEL20 archives, which will have these bugs
fixed.

Sincerely,
Frank Prindle
Pri...@NADC.arpa

[br...@nicmad.uucp]

In article <387@zen..UUCP> v...@zen.UUCP (Victor Gavin) writes:
>
>
>
>I'm looking for any information about MS-DOS disk formats (5.25" and 3.5")
>and how the file system is layed out.
>
>Things like how to find a file from the FAT, how a directory is layed out and
>how to search it.

Purchase a copy of the PC-DOS Technical Reference Manual from your local IBM
dealer. It has all you need in there. I have one and have used said
information to fix problems.
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