DescriptionAssociationsLogs

Release Date

1993

Version

3.0

Size

65.9KB

File

sgatfmt3.zip

OS architecture

Empty

OS support

• MS-DOS

Last updated 2019-04-30T00:00:00Z

Expansion chips

None

Expansion cards

None

SGATFMT3 (Seagate Format) is a lo-level formatting utility designed for AT 286/386/486 systems, only. (If the program is run on an XT, most likely a stack overflow error message will display.)

SGATFMT3 does not use the system BIOS to access the drive, but instead uses the AT register command set. This means that it is not necessary to pre-set a CMOS drive-type prior to the lo-level format. The CMOS drive type will become mandatory, however, prior to partitioning and the DOS hi-level format (see the section below on SETTING CMOS DRIVE TYPES).

SGATFMT3 only works if the controller/host adapter is set to the primary hard drive port addresses of 1F0-1F7. (This is the common port address used on most controllers.)

SGATFMT3 checks to see if a Seagate ST21/22 M or R controller is installed with its on-board controller bios enabled. If this condition exists, SGATFMT3 will exit and issue an appropriate debug command to initiate the controller's built in lo-level format.

SGATFMT3, in this v3.0 release, is designed and LIMITED to work with the following Seagate disc drive interfaces: ST412 (both MFM and RLL), ESDI (with controller bios disabled), and AT/IDE (with certain limitations). SCSI interface disc drives are not supported. (See the section "ABOUT DRIVES NOT LISTED")