FAT 1.08 --------- FAT is a simple program that can be used to display the chain of clusters (disk allocation units) that belong to a disk file, to determine which file "owns" a specified cluster or sector, and to display general information about a disk. FAT is a passive program; that is, it does not perform any functions that alter disk data. It is an inquiry program only. NOTE: like CHKDSK, FAT may change the default drive and/or directory while it is working. If the program is interrupted, no harm will be done, but you may find that your drive/directory has been changed. Version 1.08 corrects problems with large disk partitions under DOS 4.0. Syntax summary -------------- fat filespec [/D] [/H] [/I] (display chain) fat [d:] /Cn [/D] [/H] [/I] (owner of cluster n) fat [d:] /Sn [/D] [/H] [/I] (owner of sector n) fat [d:] /I (disk info only) Switches: /C Cluster owner /D Decimal output /H Hex output /I info /S Sector owner The commands are detailed below. Displaying the cluster chain for a file or directory ---------------------------------------------------- The syntax for this function is: fat [d:]path fat [d:][path]file If only a path (and optional drive) is present, the chain of clusters belonging to the subdirectory file itself is displayed. If a filename is present, the chain of clusters belonging to the named file is displayed. The filename may contain wildcards, in which case the chain for all matching files will be displayed. Examples: fat c:\dir ; Display chain for c:\dir itself, ; i.e., which clusters does the ; subdirectory file occupy. fat c:\dir\file1.txt ; Display chain for file1.txt fat c:\dir\*.* ; Display chain for all files ; in c:\dir FAT interprets missing portions of the filename to be equivalent to "*". Thus: fat * == fat *.* fat foo == fat foo.* fat foo* == fat foo*.* If you wish to display the chain for file "foo", but not "foo.txt", use an explicit ".", as in: fat foo. Finding the owner of a cluster or sector ---------------------------------------- The syntax for this function is: fat [d:] /Cn ; Find owner of cluster N fat [d:] /Sn ; Find owner of sector N For example: fat /C160 ; Find owner of cluster 160 fat b: /C112H ; Find owner of cluster 112H ; on drive B. fat /S14D ; Find owner of sector 014DH See below for more information on how the input numbers are interpreted (as decimal or hex). Disk information ---------------- You can append /I (Info) to any FAT command to display general information about the selected disk. You can also run FAT with only a /I parameter (and optional drive) to just display the information. Examples: fat /I ; Info about default drive fat B: /I ; Info about drive B fat c:\foo/i ; Chain for foo, plus info fat /i /c166 ; Owner of cluster 166H, plus info Input radix ----------- Cluster and sector numbers for the /C and /S parameters are assumed to be decimal, unless the numbers contain a hex digit (A-F) or are suffixed with an 'H': /c119 ; decimal /s11A ; hex /c116H ; hex Output radix ------------ The output radix defaults to the input radix; that is, if your sector or cluster is input in decimal, the output will be displayed in decimal. Where there is no numeric input (for example, "fat c:*.*"), decimal is assumed. You can specify an explicit output radix by using the /H (hex) or /D (decimal) switches: fat /c116 /h ; Input decimal, output hex fat /s12A /d ; Input hex, output decimal fat c:*.sys ; No input, output decimal fat c:*.sys /h ; No input, output hex Output radix has no effect on the /Info display, which is mostly decimal. Media types warning ------------------- FAT knows about certain media types (360K, 1.44M, fixed disks, etc.). If FAT encounters a type about which it knows nothing, it will continue to run but display a warning. If this warning is displayed, the results may or may not be accurate (and in fact, the program may or may not run to completion!). If the results appear to be reasonable, they are probably accurate. Versions prior to 1.06 would simply cancel when an unknown type was encountered. Revision history ---------------- Version 1.08 - 01/08/90 Corrected some problems with large partitions Version 1.07 - 12/18/89 Support for large partitions under DOS 4.0 Version 1.06 - 8/3/89 Support for media type F0 Allowed program to proceed with unknown media types Version 1.05 - 6/13/88 Converted to Microsoft C Fixed a problem with subdirectory names containing '.' Versions 1.03/1.04 - 1/21/87 and 7/15/87 Fixed a few problems with 16-bit FATs Version 1.02 - 9/13/86 First public release Copyright/License/Warranty -------------------------- This document and the program file FAT.EXE ("the software") are copyrighted by the author. The copyright owner hereby licenses you to: use the software; make as many copies of the program and documentation as you wish; give such copies to anyone; and distribute the software and documentation via electronic means. There is no charge for any of the above. However, you are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or documentation with commercial products without prior permission. An exception is granted to not-for-profit user's groups, which are authorized to charge a small fee (not to exceed $7) for materials, handling, postage, and general overhead. NO FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IS AUTHORIZED TO CHARGE ANY AMOUNT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF COPIES OF THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION, OR TO INCLUDE COPIES OF THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION WITH SALES OF THEIR OWN PRODUCTS. THIS INCLUDES A SPECIFIC PROHIBITION AGAINST FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DISTRIBUTING THE SOFTWARE, EITHER ALONE OR WITH OTHER SOFTWARE, AND CHARGING A "HANDLING" OR "MATERIALS" FEE OR ANY OTHER SUCH FEE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION. NO FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IS AUTHORIZED TO INCLUDE THE SOFTWARE ON ANY MEDIA FOR WHICH MONEY IS CHARGED. PERIOD. There is no restriction on the use of this software in commercial or institutional environments. No copy of the software may be distributed or given away without this document; and this notice must not be removed. There is no warranty of any kind, and the copyright owner is not liable for damages of any kind. By using this free software, you agree to this. The software and documentation are: Copyright (C) 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 by Christopher J. Dunford The Cove Software Group P.O. Box 1072 Columbia, Maryland 21044 (301) 992-9371 CompuServe 76703,2002 [IBMNET]
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