root/drivers/block/README.fd

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This Readme file describes the floppy driver.

FAQ list:
=========

 A FAQ list may be found in the fdutils package (see below), and also
at ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/floppy/FAQ


Lilo config options (Thinkpad users, read this)
===============================================

 The floppy driver is configured using the 'floppy=' option in
lilo. This option can be typed at the boot prompt, or entered in the
lilo configuration file.
 Example: If your kernel is called linux-72, type the following line
at the lilo boot prompt (if you have a thinkpad):
 linux-72 floppy=thinkpad
You may also enter the following line in /etc/lilo.conf, in the description
of linux-72:
 append = "floppy=thinkpad"

 Several floppy related options may be given, example:
 linux-72 floppy=daring floppy=two_fdc
 append = "floppy=daring floppy=two_fdc"

 If you give options both in the lilo config file and on the boot
prompt, the option strings of both places are concatenated, the boot
prompt options coming last. That's why there are also options to
restore the default behaviour.

 The floppy related options include:

 floppy=<mask>,allowed_drive_mask         
        Sets the bitmask of allowed drives to <mask>. By default, only units
        0 and 1 of each floppy controller are allowed. This is done because
        certain non-standard hardware (ASUS PCI motherboards) mess up the
        keyboard when accessing units 2 or 3.

 floppy=two_fdc
        Tells the floppy driver that you have two floppy controllers. The
        second floppy controller is assumed to be at io address 0x370.

 floppy=thinkpad
        Tells the floppy driver that you have a Thinkpad. Thinkpads use an
        inverted convention for the disk change line.



Supporting utilities and additional documentation:
==================================================

 Additional parameters of the floppy driver can be configured at run
time.  Utilities which do this can be found in the fdutils
package. This package also contains a new version of mtools which
allows to access high capacity disks (up to 1992K on a high density 3
1/2 disk!). It also contains additional documentation about the floppy
driver. It can be found at:
 ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/fdutils/fdutils-4.0.src.tar.gz
 sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/system/Misc/fdutils-4.0.src.tar.gz
 tsx-11.mit.edu:/pub/linux/sources/sbin/fdutils-4.0.src.tar.gz

 Alpha patches to these utilities are at:
 ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/fdutils/ALPHA
 All patches contained in this directory are directly against the base
version, i.e. DON'T APPLY THEM ON TOP OF EACH OTHER. Only apply the
most recent one.


Alpha patches for the floppy driver:
====================================

 You may find ALPHA patches of the driver itself in
ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/floppy/ALPHA. These patches are named
fdp<kernel-version>-<day><month>.diff.gz
 WARNING: These _are_ ALPHA, and may introduce new problems! Some
problems may only show up on certain hardware, or when trying weirdo
things. So don't be misled by people claiming they are stable and
should really be BETA. What works for one person, may not work for
somebody else at all. This directory contains a RELEASES file
describing the features of some of these patches.

 If after some testing these patches prove to be sufficiently stable,
they'll move into ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/floppy/BETA.

 You may find quick&dirty fixes to the driver in
ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/QDF. These patches are named
fdp<kernel-version>-<day><month>.diff
 These patches fix only the most obvious problems, or provide trivial
enhancements. The main objective is to keep these patches small and
local, in order to keep the probability of introducing new problems as
small as possible. However, they may not attack the root of the
problem but only cure the symptoms. This directory contains a RELEASES
file describing the features of these patches.

 The ALPHA, BETA and QDF directories are removed, and replaced by a
README file when they get empty due to integration of the patches into
the stock kernel. You may still find patches to old kernels in
ftp.imag.fr:pub/Linux/ZLIBC/obsolete


Reporting problems about the floppy driver
==========================================

 If you have a question or a bug report about the floppy driver, mail
me at Alain.Knaff@imag.fr. If you post to the news, use preferably one
of the groups comp.os.linux.help (for questions) or
comp.os.linux.hardware (for bug reports). As the volume in these
groups is rather high, be sure to include the word "floppy" (or
"FLOPPY") in the subject line.

 Be sure to read the FAQ before mailing/posting any bug reports!

 Alain 

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