Q73736: Effects of FDISK on Boot Record, Root Directory, and FATs
Article: Q73736
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.x,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s):
Keyword(s):
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000
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The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01, 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22
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SUMMARY
=======
If you use MS-DOS FDISK to delete and then recreate a partition or logical drive
on your hard disk, the boot record, root directory, and file allocation tables
(FATs) of these logical drives may be affected in varying degrees, depending on
the particular version of FDISK used.
MORE INFORMATION
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MS-DOS Version 3.2
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Area Effect
---- ------
Boot record Preserves boot record.
Root directory Preserves root directory.
1st copy of FAT Preserves 1st copy of FAT.
2nd copy of FAT Preserves 2nd copy of FAT.
MS-DOS Version 3.21
-------------------
Area Effect
---- ------
Boot record Zeros area formerly occupied by boot record.
Root directory Zeros area formerly occupied by root directory.
1st copy of FAT Zeros area formerly occupied by 1st copy of FAT.
2nd copy of FAT Zeros area formerly occupied by 2nd copy of FAT.
MS-DOS Version 3.30a
--------------------
Area Effect
---- ------
Boot record Fills area formerly occupied by boot record
with bytes containing value F6.
Root directory Fills area formerly occupied by root directory
with bytes containing value F6.
1st copy of FAT Fills area formerly occupied by 1st copy of FAT
with bytes containing value F6.
2nd copy of FAT Fills area formerly occupied by 2nd copy of FAT
with bytes containing value F6.
MS-DOS Version 4.01a
--------------------
Area Effect
---- ------
Boot record Fills area formerly occupied by boot record
with bytes containing value F6.
Root directory Invalidates root directory; may contain
"garbage" values.
1st copy of FAT Invalidates 1st copy of FAT; may contain
"garbage" values.
2nd copy of FAT Invalidates 2nd copy of FAT; may contain
"garbage" values.
MS-DOS Versions 5.0 and 6.0
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Area Effect
---- ------
Boot record Fills area formerly occupied by boot record with
bytes containing value F6.
Root directory Preserves root directory information.
1st copy of FAT Preserves 1st copy of FAT.
2nd copy of FAT Preserves 2nd copy of FAT.
Additional query words: 6.22 3.20 3.21 3.30a 4.01a 5.00 5.00a 6.00 6.20
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Keywords :
Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS500a
Version : MS-DOS:3.x,4.x,5.x,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
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