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Q74204: MS-DOS CHKDSK Does Not Show Disk Label As a Hidden File

Article: Q74204
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.x,6.0
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 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0 
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SUMMARY
=======

The CHKDSK command in MS-DOS version 5.0 or later no longer shows the disk label
as a hidden file, as was the case with previous versions.

MORE INFORMATION
================

When comparing the MS-DOS 5 or later Upgrade disks with an earlier version of
CHKDSK, a hidden file should appear in the earlier version's output. This does
not indicate a problem with the disk.

In versions of MS-DOS prior to 5.0, the disk label was shown as a hidden file
under CHKDSK. When using CHKDSK from DOS 4.01 or earlier to view the first DOS 5
Upgrade disk, you will get the following output:

Volume DISK      1 created 04-09-1991 5:00a
Volume Serial Number is 1966-0205

   362496 bytes total disk space
        0 bytes in 1 hidden file
   353280 bytes in 11 user files
     9216 bytes available on disk

     1024 bytes in each allocation unit
      354 total allocation units on disk
        9 available allocation units on disk

   651264 total bytes memory
   443248 bytes free

Using CHKDSK from MS-DOS 5.0 on the same Upgrade disk will produce the following
output:

Volume DISK      1 created 04-09-1991 5:00a
Volume Serial Number is 1966-0205

   362496 bytes total disk space
   353280 bytes in 11 user files
     9216 bytes available on disk

     1024 bytes in each allocation unit
      354 total allocation units on disk
        9 available allocation units on disk

   651264 total bytes memory
   443248 bytes free

If the label on a disk is removed, the hidden file will disappear. (This is not
recommended for Upgrade disks.)

For more information on CHKDSK, hidden files, and volume labels, query on the
following words:

  CHKDSK and HIDDEN and FILE and VOLUME and LABEL

Additional query words: 5.00 5.00a 6.00 noupd

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS500a
Version           : MS-DOS:5.x,6.0

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