amiga format problems

[skippy9963]

The problem is when I format a disk on the amiga using workbench 3.0. The disks are only formated to 836k instead of 880k. I need 880k  to copy a ADF file onto an amiga disk. I have checked the formated disk for any files e.g trashcan files  and there are none present. I have tried this with a number of disk and they allways say there is only 836k present. Is it a problem with the disks or workbench. I am a complete newbie to amiga and would be gratefull of some help. :-?

[adolescent]

ADF is a raw image format that has all of the disk information, not just the usable storage area.  You're seeing less because the standard disk format has overhead (bootblock, rootblock, block lists, etc.).

If you want to actually use the ADF file you don't just copy it to a formatted disk.  You need to use a tool like DISKWIZ to write the image back to a floppy.

If you want to copy files back and forth between Amigas, then you'll probably have to compress the ADF file.  LZX, LHA, etc. should compress them enough to fit on a floppy.

[blobrana]

Hum,
kick yourself...(for not giving machine and  details)
you need the `fastfilesystem` hidden on the extras/storage disk and put it into the L: drawer
(use show all files)

"The majority of Amigas come with a double density 3.5-inch disk drive (also known as low density). These drive have a maximum capacity of 880k using the standard FFS (Fast FileSystem). Older machines, such as the A1000 & A500 have a storage limit of 837k. Although these machines can read 880k disks with a device handler (a small file that allows the Amiga to understand the disk), they cannot boot from them when you switch on your computer. Device handlers also allow the user to read PC disks. Popular varieties include CrossDOS & MessyDOS that provide custom device handlers and simple text conversion utilities. However, these utilities cannot perform miracles, limiting the type of disk you can read to the 720k PC variety."

REF:amiga history guide

The sites a gold mine ...

Good luck

[Piru]

@blobrana
Formatting the disk as FFS doesn't help. adolescent is right, you cannot store 880KB file to standard formatted amiga DD floppy, not even when formatted FFS.

You can, if you hack it with something like diskspare.device

It's easier to crunch the adf instead, however.

[blobrana]

doh,
what was i thinking of ...

tnx for correction.

[but i just booted up my a1200 with a floppy that had 875kb of file on it with 3k spare + trash can , 0S 3.1 stardard FFS]

Oh well...