Stands for File Allocation Table. A special data file that's stored on a disk and contains the name, size, date and location of all the files that are stored on the disk. When you open a document, the word processor asks DOS to open the file. It does this by looking through the file allocation table to find the position on the disk where the file is stored. The FAT is hidden, so you cannot see it. But without it you cannot retrieve any of the information stored on your disk. Sometimes the FAT can get corrupted. To remedy this problem run ScanDisk or one of the disk recovery programs such as Norton Disk Doctor.
