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

F u n c t i o n

 

 

Drive speed test

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.)

 

 

Random R(ead)/W(rite) test

Checks the random seek capability

 

of a diskette drive by performing a

 

random read/write operation.

 

 

Sequential R(ead)/W(rite) test

Checks the sequential seek

 

capability of a diskette drive by

 

performing a sequential read/write

 

operation.

 

 

Drive change line test

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