From: P D H (pdh@netcom.com)
Date: 05/24/93 

From: pdh@netcom.com (P D H)
Subject: how to get floppy parameters
Date: Mon, 24 May 1993 21:37:07 GMT

In order to do the ioctl() to get floppy disk parameters about the floppy
disk drive my program is given the path name for, the floppy disk drive
has to already be opened. But to open it, I need to have a floppy disk
in the drive.

How can I get the floppy drive parameters from the name without opening
the drive.

OR

How can I open the drive without the driver attempting to do some I/O.

BTW, why does it need to do any I/O anyway just for an open?