#383 CHKDSK.EXE from FreeDOS doesn't print floppy creation date/time if the floppy does have no label

[Oliver]

CHKDSK.EXE from FreeDOS doesn't print floppy disk creation date/time if the floppy disk does have no label name.

If the label name is given, then the floppy disk creation date/time is printed.

See both screenshots as an example.

[fritz.mueller]

I just tested formatting a diskette with old WinXP. The reported "bug" seems to be a feature.
When I format a diskette with "format a:" chkdsks shows no date, when I format with a: /v:TEST it is printed when executing chkdsk.
Please check and tell us if the report can be closed.

[fritz.mueller]

As it looks like to me, my and your pictures say the say the same with the difference that I used format a: /vLabelname which means that format calls label to create the labelname. The only difference is that FD forgot the serial number, see other report number.

[fritz.mueller]

Today I asked Google AI and this is the response:

I noticed that chkdsk does not display a creation date if the volume has no label.
After analyzing the FAT file system structure, it turns out this is not a bug in chkdsk, but a technical characteristic of the FAT design.

Technical Explanation:
The "Volume Creation Date" is not stored in the Boot Sector (BPB) alongside the Serial Number. Instead, it is stored as the modification timestamp of the Volume Label entry within the Root Directory. The Volume Label is technically treated as a directory entry (with the attribute ATTR_VOLUME_ID).

If a disk is formatted without a label, this specific directory entry is never created. Consequently, there is physically no storage location allocated to hold a creation timestamp for the volume. Therefore, chkdsk cannot display a date because none exists on the media.

Verification:

Format with /v:LABEL -> Volume Label entry is created -> Timestamp exists -> Chkdsk displays it.

Format without label -> No entry created -> No timestamp exists -> Chkdsk correctly skips the date output.

My comment: dir a: also shows no creation time, so this is correct.

I think this thread can be closed now.