No, fdisk /mbr writes an MBR (and master boot record)
to the disk. The easiest way to format as superfloppy
(remove the MBR) is to boot a linux Live CD and do
mkdosfs -I /dev/sda
NOT mkdosfs /dev/sda1
(This assumes your version of Linux will recognize the
device as /dev/sda and will reformat the stick, destroying
any data on it).
This will remove the MBR and format the entire stick as
a "superfloppy". See http://www.marlow.dk/site.php/tech/usbkeys
To install an MBR, he suggests first clearing the first 512 bytes
and then using a debian program called install-mbr:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda bs=512 count=1
to erase the start of the USB Key. After that you can do a "fdisk /dev/sda" and
create a new FAT partition (FAT16 is suitable). To install a MBR and format the key
afterwards, do
install-mbr /dev/sda --force
mkdosfs -I /dev/sda1
Note the use of /dev/sda1. This means the first PARTITION on the
device and implies that it has a partition table (and MBR).
FDISK /MBR is tricky...make darned sure you are using the
correct hard disk!
Mark
TechFan wrote:
So, can you direct a fdisk /mbr to remove the mbr on a usb key to get
back to the floppy emulation?
----- Original Message -----
*From:* "Arkady V.Belousov" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*To:* freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net
*Sent:* Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:55:54 AM
*Subject:* [Freedos-user] Instructions for making USB key bootable. . .
Hi!
14-Мар-2006 00:11 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Michael Devore) wrote to
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net:
MD> My own issue is that I can create a stick which either boots as a big
MD> floppy (A: via USB-ZIP) or a hard drive (C: via USB-HDD), but I can't seem
MD> to switch back and forth between the two types after I'm done. I've not
MD> had time to investigate what's necessary to change to go between them.
As I understand, this is not possible: diskettes do not contain MBR,
disks do. And these schemes are not interchangeable.
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