formatting floppy disks

I have bought floppy disks that are preformatted. 3.5", 1.44 MB HD. Why is
the computer telling me the disk is not formatted, and why is it that when I
try to format them it can't format it? Also, I looked on the help section and
it says this type of windows can accept these disks. Why is it not then?

In news:1FDDE7F0-8D3A-4188-BA0B-6534ABC6E19A@microsoft.com,
jr8chik <jr8chik@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:

> I have bought floppy disks that are preformatted. 3.5", 1.44 MB
> HD.
> Why is the computer telling me the disk is not formatted,


Probably because of the issue explained here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=140060


> and why is
> it that when I try to format them it can't format it? Also, I
> looked
> on the help section and it says this type of windows can accept
> these
> disks. Why is it not then?


When you say HD, are these 720KB diskettes? I believe that the
1.44MB ones are called DD. Windows XP can't normally format 720KB
diskettes, but you can do so by issuing the format command from a
command prompt, as follows:

format a: /t:80 /n:9


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ken Blake wrote:

>
> When you say HD, are these 720KB diskettes? I believe that the
> 1.44MB ones are called DD. Windows XP can't normally format 720KB
> diskettes, but you can do so by issuing the format command from a
> command prompt, as follows:
>

Been away from floppies too long, Ken. The 1.44 MB diskettes
are HD (high density); the 720 KB diskettes ard DD (double
density).

In news:eUR9Wm5zFHA.2924@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl,
Ghostrider <-00-@fitron.142> typed:

> Ken Blake wrote:
>
>>
>> When you say HD, are these 720KB diskettes? I believe that the
>> 1.44MB ones are called DD. Windows XP can't normally format
>> 720KB
>> diskettes, but you can do so by issuing the format command
>> from a
>> command prompt, as follows:
>>
>
> Been away from floppies too long, Ken. The 1.44 MB diskettes
> are HD (high density); the 720 KB diskettes ard DD (double
> density).



You're absolutely right. I just went to Scott Mueller's
"Upgrading and Repairing PCs" and looked it up (which is what I
should have done in the first place instead of relying on my
faulty memory).

My apologies.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 14:08:04 -0700, jr8chik wrote:

> I have bought floppy disks that are preformatted. 3.5", 1.44 MB HD. Why is
> the computer telling me the disk is not formatted, and why is it that when I
> try to format them it can't format it? Also, I looked on the help section and
> it says this type of windows can accept these disks. Why is it not then?

You have lousy disks. I had this problem several years ago with Compusa
disks. Further, disks that I had files on generated the same message.
Floppy disks are cheap. They are not made to a high quality standard. Try
another brand. I currently use Imation.
--
r.s.nevin@att.net