---
name: "setfdprm"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "fdutils"
version: "4.3-6"
release: "Debian 1.3 (Bo)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/setfdprm/8"
---

# setfdprm(8)

sets user-provided floppy disk parameters

## NAME

setfdprm - sets user-provided floppy disk parameters

## SYNOPSIS

**setfdprm \[ -p \]** device name\
 **setfdprm \[ -p \]** device size sectors heads tracks stretch gap rate spec1 fmt\_gap\
 **setfdprm \[ -c \]** device\
 **setfdprm \[ -y \]** device\
 **setfdprm \[ -n \]** device

## DESCRIPTION

**setfdprm** is a utility that can be used to load disk parameters into the auto-detecting floppy devices and "fixed parameter" floppy devices, to clear old parameter sets and to disable or enable diagnostic messages.

Without any options, **setfdprm** loads the *device* (usually */dev/fd0* or */dev/fd1*) with a new parameter set with the *name* entry found in */etc/fdprm* (usually named 360/360, etc.).  For autodetecting floppy devices, these parameters stay in effect until the media is changed. For "fixed parameter" devices, they stay in effect until they are changed again.

- **-p** *device name*

  Permanently loads a new parameter set for the specified auto-configuring floppy device for the configuration with *name* in */etc/fdprm*. Alternatively, the parameters can be given directly from the command line.

- **-c** *device*

  Clears the parameter set of the specified auto-configuring floppy device.

- **-y** *device*

  Enables format detection messages for the specified auto-configuring floppy device.

- **-n** *device*

  Disables format detection messages for the specified auto-configuring floppy device.

## BUGS

This documentation is grossly incomplete.

## FILES

*/etc/fdprm*

## AUTHOR

Werner Almesberger (almesber@nessie.cs.id.ethz.ch) Alain Knaff (Alain.Knaff@inrialpes.fr)