what code can be used to check for write protection. none of these checks show any difference between write protect on or off: }int Check_FloppyDrive () { struct diskinfo_t di; unsigned short status1; unsigned short status2; unsigned short status3; di.drive = di.head = di.track = di.sector = 0; di.nsectors = 1; di.buffer = NULL; status1 = _bios_disk( _DISK_STATUS, &di ); status2 = _bios_disk( _DISK_VERIFY, &di ); status3 = _bios_disk( _DISK_WRITE, &di ); return status; }

Here's an example I've just modified for this purpose. WARNING!!! Try it on an empty diskette; when you have tried it, format the disk again. This program (it's simply an example) overwrites the FAT. #include #include int main(void) { struct diskinfo_t dinfo; int result; static char dbuf[512]; dinfo.drive = 0; /* drive number for A: */ dinfo.head = 0; /* disk head number */ dinfo.track = 0; /* track number */ dinfo.sector = 1; /* sector number */ dinfo.nsectors = 1; /* sector count */ dinfo.buffer = dbuf; /* data buffer */ printf("Attempting to write to drive A:\n"); result = _bios_disk(_DISK_WRITE, &dinfo); if ((result & 0x0300) == 0) { printf("Disk write to A: successful.\n"); } else printf("Write protected disk\n"); return 0; }

thanks but is there a way to check for write protection or a bad disk without writing to it? i want my code to be able to use the floppy right after the check. DISK_STATUS or DISK_VERIFY doesn't do it. DISK_WRITE seems dangerous.

I've tried with _DISK_VERIFY: yes, it works. Just replace _DISK_WRITE with _DISK_VERIFY in the example and you'll see that it works; if it doesn't, let me know.

I tried DISK_VERIFY on a Jaz drive and it doesn't know the difference between a write protected disk or one that is not write protected. I am in need of some code that I can use in an embedded aplication to detect status of Jaz disk.