when i try to format a floppy disk in Windows it says 'unable to complete format', so i tried it in a DOS window and get 'invalid media - track 0 bad. Disk unusable'.
Right, so i tried the disk in my other PC - the disk is fine.
I tried a different floppy drive, tested it in my other PC - its fine.
I checked the BIOS, its set right.
So that leaves, the cable, floppy controller and software, yes?
does this sound like the problem could be any of those?
PS i don't want any replies about how floppys are old and outdated, i'm taking an IT course and need to know this stuff
2006-11-05 22:37:13 · 10 answers · asked by fishfinger 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Now, that's got me thinking.
3.5 inch floppies came in 2 sizes. 750K (or there about ) and 1.4 M
A 1.4 meg drive can read both both sizes of disk.
A 750 k drive can only read the smaller disk.
The format (disk geometry) will be different on each size of disk
It may be that the head alignment is out on the drive that is failing.
2006-11-05 22:54:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
check the cable is the correct way round
this cable can easily be connected backwards as they are not all red strip to the power plug
is you floppy light on all time ?
could be the drive is dirty or the read heads are damaged
2006-11-06 06:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change the floppy drives from a known good machine to yours and check that way - if the drive works then your drive is duff. If the drive fails then check the leads...
Have fun :)
2006-11-06 06:48:17 · answer #3 · answered by Longjohn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the "button" on the floppy -- the one that enables/disables read only function. Looks like a square hole at the corner of the floppy.
good luck
2006-11-06 06:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should check your cable. If that is fine then it could be your floppy has flopped out. My advise get new one and replace it.
2006-11-06 06:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by Joe_Young 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So does the drive work with any other floppies or is it just this one??????
Answer that and you have your answer.
2006-11-06 06:47:29 · answer #6 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to use chkdisk or something similar.
It will take the bad track off the disk list then it will load.
2006-11-06 06:41:20 · answer #7 · answered by galaxy_glider 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like the drive itself isn't reading it properly, could be to do with the mechanics inside...
2006-11-06 06:42:07 · answer #8 · answered by total_2k 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
floppy? do pepole still use them? probably a cable
2006-11-06 06:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by spankdis 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
floppydrive problem
2006-11-06 06:45:14 · answer #10 · answered by Ravi Nanjunda Rao 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋