OSDIFRMD - NO OPTION TO FORMAT A 2.88 MB DISKETTE FROM THE WORKPLACE
           SHELL IN OS/2 2.1
01/17/96

=======================================================================
       No Option to Format a 2.88 MB Diskette from the Workplace
                          Shell in OS/2 2.1
=======================================================================

Please Read Entire Document for Full Explanation of Procedures
--------------------------------------------------------------

DESCRIPTION

In OS/2 2.1, there is no option for formatting a 2.88 MB diskette from 
the Workplace Shell. In addition, if your system has a non-IBM diskette 
drive, OS/2 2.1 might have difficulty accepting commands from a prompt 
(problems with parsing). A command with a switch is not recognized when 
typed at a command prompt.

RESOLUTION

Note: Make sure you have a backup of any file you intend to change.

Discuss OS/2 compatibility problems with your supplier, who is best 
equipped to assist in resolving compatibility problems with IBM.

The IBM1FLPY driver comes with a revised OS2DASD.DMD file. You keep 
copies of the binaries and install the driver and .DMD file. IBM1FLPY 
gets diskette-drive information from system BIOS. If the information is 
incorrect, or if the BIOS does not support a third- or fourth-party 
diskette drive, the information might have to be provided at the 
IBM1FLPY command line.

Command-line parameters also can be used to support a second installed 
diskette controller that would not normally have system BIOS support.

Edit the CONFIG.SYS file and change the BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD statement 
to include the appropriate command-line parameters from the following:

   /MCA    Load on a Micro Channel computer.
   /A:     Adapter ID <0 - 1>
   /IRQ:   Interrupt Request Level <0--n>. Consult the supplier of the
           diskette controller for the appropriate setting.
   /DMA    DMA Channel Number <0--n>. Consult the supplier of the
           diskette controller for the appropriate setting.
   /P:     Controller I/O Address <hhhh>. Consult the supplier of the
           diskette controller for the appropriate setting.
   /U:     Drive Number <0--3>
   /F:     Drive Capacity <360 KB--2.88 MB>
   /CL:    Change Line Type <NONE, AT, PS2>
   /SPEC:  Controller Specify Bytes <hh, hh>
   /SPEC:  Controller Specify Bytes <hh, hh>

Examples:
        
* To define a third 1.2 MB diskette drive:

     BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /A:0 /U:2 /F:1.2MB

* To override the Change Line type for drive B:

     BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /A:0 /U:1 /CL:NONE

* To support a 1.2 MB OEM drive attached to a Micro Channel system:

     REM BASEDEV=IBM2FLPY.ADD
     BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /MCA /A:0 /U:1 /F:1.2MB

* To support a second installed diskette controller:

     BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD
     BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /A:0 /DMA:3 /IRQ:10 /P:370
        /U:0 /F:1.44MB
        /U:1 /F:1.2MB

  Note: The first drive supported by the second controller is assigned
        "B" if this drive letter is available. Specifying /A:1 causes
        the second controller to assign drive letters other than "A" or
        "B."

More than two diskette drives can be accessed in systems using the 
IBM1FLPY.ADD driver. This driver provides switch settings for support 
of up to 4 diskette drives installed in a system. The switch settings 
for the third and fourth diskette drives might have to be added to the 
CONFIG.SYS file to access the drives.

______________________________________________________________________
IBM disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, including 
without limitation, warranties of fitness and merchantability with 
respect to the information in this document. By furnishing this 
document, IBM grants no licenses to any related patents or copyrights.  
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995 IBM Corporation. Any trademarks and product 
or brand names referenced in this document are the property of their 
respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark 
information.