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From: jkimmelm%bbn-vax@sri-unix.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro.pc
Subject: Disk Error Handler Bug (?) in MS-DOS 2.0
Message-ID: <198@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 24-Apr-84 08:52:17 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.198
Posted: Tue Apr 24 08:52:17 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 13-May-84 00:27:20 EDT
Lines: 26

From:  Jeff Kimmelman <jkimmelm@bbn-vax>

I just ran into what I think is a definite bug (feature) of MS-DOS.  I was
performing an operation which required a disk write to a floppy drive which
(accidentally) had a write protected diskette inserted.

I got the usual message and the question Abort, Retry, or Ignore?  I
immediately got out the (backed up) diskette I had intended the write to go
to and inserted it.  Was I ever suprised--after the write my directory had
an exact copy of the directory from the write protected diskette!!!!  Now
come on guys, I know that the directory is just a file which must be read,
updated, and rewritten, but is it so difficult to reread after a diskette
error?  Is there a philosophy behind all this or did they just make a
boo-boo?  Perhaps someone has a patch to avoid crashing the directory of
the disk in such a simple, straightforward manner.  If so I would be very
appreciative if you would help me out.

By the way, I was using Kermit on an Eagle PC-Plus when the bug bit if that
is of any use.

Cheers
--Jeff Kimmelman (=JKIMMELMAN@BBN-UNIX)

[Ed:  This has happened to me, and I for one make it a practice to never
let DOS or any program retry a write under these circumstances.  I don't
know if this is a bug or a "feature"]