Most CF cards aleady have an MBR written to block zero, but if you ever use that CF card in an older CFFA with ProDOS, it would have over-written
the MBR. Doing a regular format under windows will NOT put the MBR back onto block zero.
To get the MBR back onto block zero using a Mac is very easy, just use the disk format/partition tool that comes on the Mac.
To write an MBR using Windows 7 is much less straight forward.
Below is the method I use. I found this on the inter-tubes, and if you know better way let me know.
First you have open a command (CMD) windows with administrator privileges!
Click Start->All Programs->Accessories. Then Right-Click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator". Answer "yes" if prompted for permission.
(NOTE: If you use a "Command Prompt" that does not have administrator privileges, the process described below will appear to work, but will NOT change the disk!)
Now you should have a command prompt (DOS Box) open. The following commands can be entered.
**** WARNING **** Making a mistake on the "select disk" step could result in the complete loss of all data on your PC's harddrive!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't make a mistake!
- Code: Select all
diskpart
list disk
select disk (id) // (id) = Number of the disk you are trying to setup with an MBR. Get this right!
online disk
attributes disk clear readonly
clean
convert mbr // This might give an error, don't worry
create partition primary
select part 1
active
format fs=FAT label=(name) quick // The label= part is optional
exit
Now you can go to your windows explorer and right-click on your CF drive (if present) and select Eject. Skipping this step usually doesn't hurt anything.
But I do it anyway.
-Rich