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(fdutils.info)diskd

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diskd
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   The diskd command has the following syntax:

     `diskd' [`-d' DRIVE] [`-i' MSDOSFILES] [`-e' COMMAND]

   Diskd waits for a disk to be inserted into a given DRIVE, and then
either executes the COMMAND or exits. This program can be used to
automatically mount a disk as soon as it is inserted.

Warning
-------

   This program works by switching the motor on for a very short
interval, and then seeking to track -1. This might damage hardware in
the long run. Amigas, which also use these techniques, are known for
having problems with their disk drives no longer spinning up properly
after a few month of usage.

Options
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`-d DRIVE'
     Selects the drive to observe for disk insertion. By default, drive
     0 (`/dev/fd0') is observed.

`-i INTERVAL'
     Selects the polling interval. The interval is given in tenths of
     seconds. Default is 10 (one second).

`-e COMMAND'
     Gives the command to be executed when a disk is inserted. If no
     command is given the program simply exits. Typically, the command
     mounts the disk. It can be a shell scripts which probes for several
     filesystems and disk geometries until it succeeds.

Bugs
----

   * Automatic unmounting cannot yet be handled. It is indeed not
     enough to scan for disk removal, because when the disk is removed,
     it is already too late: There might be some buffers needing
     flushing.  However, the `fdmountd' program allows automatic
     unmounting by using the `SYNC' mount options, which switches off
     write buffering (Note: fdmount).

   * The drive motor is running all the time, and on some computers, the
     drive led flickers at each time the drive is polled.