2006-09-26 18:55:47 · 7 answers · asked by yanelli 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
If it has files on it then it must already be formatted. If you are having trouble reading it then it may be corrupted in some way. If you re-format it then you will erase any files that are on it.
If that's the case you should find a data recovery firm that specializes in getting data back from corrupted disks.
2006-09-26 19:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by David C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The disk had to be formatted at the git go or would not have files on it. If it is a standard 3 1/2 floppy that was formatted some time ago and now you are getting an "unformatted" error message, it may have been used as a single density rather than a dbl. You can then "read" it using MS dos. Some disks had only one square hole in them and some had two. The second hole was for the laser beam to tell it was to be formated as a dbl density disk and if you covered the one hole with a piece of tape it would format as a single.
2006-09-26 20:01:15 · answer #2 · answered by Dusty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is an unformatted disk, you do not have any files on it. Formatting will erase any files on it, but try the disk in another computer or try reading a known working disk into your floppy drive first. If you are sure there are files on it, then it might be a bad floppy drive.
2006-09-26 19:06:06 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not write files on a disc that is not formatted with some kind of filesystem.
If the files are important, maybe you can recall which operating system you were using when you copied the files to (floppy) I'm assuming.
Yes, i do understand that pre-formatted diskettes do exist.
In the end, your important files could not be "put on it" without it being formatted by some operating system.
2006-09-26 19:27:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had this problem before. I dont trust 3.5 disks any more (I always keep a backup).
Formatting it will wipe the info. What I would suggest is that you try it a number of times, after rebooting, whenever you think of it really. Also, try it on a different computer. That is one way that I got it to work.
Email me if you want a file recovery program (which may help).
2006-09-26 19:35:04 · answer #5 · answered by James B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can't have files on it if it is unformatted.
Could it be formatted but with no FAT table?
2006-09-26 19:05:58 · answer #6 · answered by Mai Tai Mike 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just try reading it on some other computer. If it works then cool otherwise you gotta hire some data recovery specialist
2006-09-26 19:36:21 · answer #7 · answered by hackaback 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋