Register Conventions

The INT 13h extensions adhere, as much as possible, to the following registers conventions:


ds:si ==> disk address packet
dl    ==> drive number
ah    ==> function code/return status

The distinction between "removable" disks numbered 0-7Fh and "fixed" disks numbered 80h-FFh differ somewhat from existing INT 13h implementations. Drives numbered 0-7Fh are the same as they are regarded in the present INT 13h standard, removable drives that can be inserted and ejected at arbitrary times, without necessarily any software control or notification. Drives numbered 80h-FFh include traditional fixed disks, but also include advanced removable drives that must support changeline and software locking and unlocking. New functions have been included in this specification to support these types of drives.

Return codes are the same as defined for the standard INT 13h interface, but include the following new error codes:

B0h

Volume not locked in drive

B1h

Volume locked in drive

B2h

Volume not removable

B3h

Volume in use

B4h

Lock count exceeded

B5h

Valid eject request failed