Performing the Tests
The Diskette format test checks the format capability of the
diskette drive and its controller. In order to run the test, you
need a blank diskette that has been formatted using the
MS-DOS FORMAT command and that is not write-protected.
When the program prompts you to insert a diskette, insert
the newly formatted one.
Once the Diskette format test is completed successfully, you
must use the test diskette to run any of the tests in the
following table. These tests will not run properly unless the
diskette has been previously used for the Diskette format
diagnostic test.
Tests requiring a specially formatted diskette
Test
Drive speed test
Random R(ead)/W(rite) test
Sequential R(ead)/W(rite) test
Drive change line test
Function
Verifies how fast the diskette drive
rotates a diskette. A 1.2MB,
5’/+inch
diskette drive should
rotate a 1.2MB diskette at 360 RPM
and a 360KB diskette at 300 RPM.
A 1.44MB,
3’/2-inch
drive should
rotate a diskette at 300 RPM.
(Tolerance allowed: one percent.)
Checks the random seek capability
of a diskette drive by performing a
random read/write operation.
Checks the sequential seek
capability of a diskette drive by
performing a sequential read/write
operation.
Tests the status of the disk change
line that detects when you insert or
remove a diskette from
a
drive.
Performing System Diagnostics C-21