Floppy Disk in Windows 7

[Peter Geddes]

On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
disk.

I tried to format a floppy disk with Windows 7 but it took quite a while to
get to 100% and when it did, it came up with 'Unable to complete Format'.

To start with, I thought the drive itself was knackered but after swapping
it with a known working one, it did the same thing. I was able to format
the disk with Windows XP no problem.

This is with Windows 7 64-bit. I have seen other postings on various sites
with people having the same problem. I just wondered if there is a
solution?

Thanks

--

All incoming and outgoing emails & files scanned by ESET Smart Security


__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4578 (20091106) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

[R. C. White]

Hi, Peter.

There is a thread in microsoft.public.windows.64bit.general, started by LDJ
on 10/31/09, Subject: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit - Floppy drive driver
issue.

LDJ reported a problem like yours: unable to format a floppy disk in Win7.
Reading this prompted me to try formatting a floppy, for the first time
since I upgraded to Win7 Ultimate x64. It worked perfectly for me. I even
tried - for the first time in years - to boot from the floppy diskette I
made - and that worked, too, on the first try! First time I'd seen an
MS-DOS boot-up screen in years. ;<)

Please tell us a few more facts about your computer, your Windows version
and your formatting method:

1. What kind of floppy disk drive (hardware) are you using?

2. Exactly which version of Win7 x64? Home Premium? Ultimate? RC or
RTM?

3. Step by step, HOW are you trying to format the floppy? As I said in
the other NG, I right-clicked on Drive A: in Explorer (or Computer), chose
Format, and selected to create and MS-DOS boot disk. I didn't time the
format, but it seemed normal, taking just a minute or two.

My experiment ended pretty quickly because I don't really want to use
floppies, anyhow, so then I rebooted normally, from my HDD. But I had
learned that I could (a) format a 3.5" diskette, (b) boot into MS-DOS from
that diskette, and (c) read files from that diskette, using the TYPE
command.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64

"Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
...
> On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
> disk.
>
> I tried to format a floppy disk with Windows 7 but it took quite a while
> to get to 100% and when it did, it came up with 'Unable to complete
> Format'.
>
> To start with, I thought the drive itself was knackered but after swapping
> it with a known working one, it did the same thing. I was able to format
> the disk with Windows XP no problem.
>
> This is with Windows 7 64-bit. I have seen other postings on various
> sites with people having the same problem. I just wondered if there is a
> solution?
>
> Thanks

[Gordon]

"Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
...
> On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
> disk.
>

Could I ask why you are using floppy disks?
Unless you are copying BIOS flash files or SATA disk drivers or something
similar that need a floppy, USB memory sticks FAR outclass anything floppies
ever did....in price, capacity, longevity and in read/write speed...

[Paul Brady]

On Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:20:13 -0000, "Gordon" >
wrote:

>Could I ask why you are using floppy disks?
>Unless you are copying BIOS flash files or SATA disk drivers or something
>similar that need a floppy, USB memory sticks FAR outclass anything floppies
>ever did....in price, capacity, longevity and in read/write speed...

Floppies are not useless. I write databases for ten clients, using
Access 2000. These are all charities or nonprofit agencies, with
different operating systems, ranging from Windows Me thru XP thru
Vista. A few of them have USB connections in difficult-to-reach
places, and, for their purposes, the floppies work fine, and the
memory stick is awkward to use, requiring crawling on the floor to get
behind the computer, or even buying a USB multiple connector. Yes, I
do have a memory stick, but I do hope that Windows 7 will accommodate
floppies. I ALSO hope that Windows 7 will accommodate Office 2000.
Pete Brady

[Gordon]

"Paul Brady" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:20:13 -0000, "Gordon" >
> wrote:
>
>>Could I ask why you are using floppy disks?
>>Unless you are copying BIOS flash files or SATA disk drivers or something
>>similar that need a floppy, USB memory sticks FAR outclass anything
>>floppies
>>ever did....in price, capacity, longevity and in read/write speed...
>
> Floppies are not useless. I write databases for ten clients, using
> Access 2000. These are all charities or nonprofit agencies, with
> different operating systems, ranging from Windows Me thru XP thru
> Vista. A few of them have USB connections in difficult-to-reach
> places, and, for their purposes, the floppies work fine, and the
> memory stick is awkward to use, requiring crawling on the floor to get
> behind the computer, or even buying a USB multiple connector. Yes, I
> do have a memory stick, but I do hope that Windows 7 will accommodate
> floppies. I ALSO hope that Windows 7 will accommodate Office 2000.
> Pete Brady

Nothing to do with the OS and all to do with the hardware in the computer.
Why not buy a USB extension cable? Then a one-time plug in is done, with no
crawling about.
And err if the database fits on a 1.4 MB floppy, why not email it instead?
Sorry, floppies are obsolete, unreliable, prone to damage and just are not
good.

[Peter Geddes]

1. It's a Sony 1.44MB Floppy Disk drive

2. It's Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (4GB RAM).

3. I goto into Computer from the start menu, Right Click over the Floppy
Disk icon and select format. I've tried quick format and full format with
the same result 'Windows Unable to complete the format'.

I know floppy's are old and almost no use now (except for installing
WindowsXP when I need to use the F6 method).

Thanks for the replies.

"R. C. White" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, Peter.
>
> There is a thread in microsoft.public.windows.64bit.general, started by
> LDJ on 10/31/09, Subject: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit - Floppy drive
> driver issue.
>
> LDJ reported a problem like yours: unable to format a floppy disk in
> Win7. Reading this prompted me to try formatting a floppy, for the first
> time since I upgraded to Win7 Ultimate x64. It worked perfectly for me.
> I even tried - for the first time in years - to boot from the floppy
> diskette I made - and that worked, too, on the first try! First time I'd
> seen an MS-DOS boot-up screen in years. ;<)
>
> Please tell us a few more facts about your computer, your Windows version
> and your formatting method:
>
> 1. What kind of floppy disk drive (hardware) are you using?
>
> 2. Exactly which version of Win7 x64? Home Premium? Ultimate? RC or
> RTM?
>
> 3. Step by step, HOW are you trying to format the floppy? As I said in
> the other NG, I right-clicked on Drive A: in Explorer (or Computer), chose
> Format, and selected to create and MS-DOS boot disk. I didn't time the
> format, but it seemed normal, taking just a minute or two.
>
> My experiment ended pretty quickly because I don't really want to use
> floppies, anyhow, so then I rebooted normally, from my HDD. But I had
> learned that I could (a) format a 3.5" diskette, (b) boot into MS-DOS from
> that diskette, and (c) read files from that diskette, using the TYPE
> command.
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
>
> Microsoft Windows MVP
> Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
>
> "Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
>> disk.
>>
>> I tried to format a floppy disk with Windows 7 but it took quite a while
>> to get to 100% and when it did, it came up with 'Unable to complete
>> Format'.
>>
>> To start with, I thought the drive itself was knackered but after
>> swapping it with a known working one, it did the same thing. I was able
>> to format the disk with Windows XP no problem.
>>
>> This is with Windows 7 64-bit. I have seen other postings on various
>> sites with people having the same problem. I just wondered if there is a
>> solution?
>>
>> Thanks
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4580 (20091106) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4580 (20091106) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

[Peter Geddes]

I use it mainly for the SATA/RAID drivers for XP installs (via the F6
method).

I agree USB sticks are far superior but the floppy isn't quite dead yet!

Thanks

"Gordon" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
>> disk.
>>
>
> Could I ask why you are using floppy disks?
> Unless you are copying BIOS flash files or SATA disk drivers or something
> similar that need a floppy, USB memory sticks FAR outclass anything
> floppies ever did....in price, capacity, longevity and in read/write
> speed...
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4580 (20091106) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4580 (20091106) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

[Gordon]

"Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
...
> I use it mainly for the SATA/RAID drivers for XP installs (via the F6
> method).

As I said in my first reply!


> I agree USB sticks are far superior but the floppy isn't quite dead yet!
>

For things like the above yes, but for data storage and transfer? No!

[Student]

>
>> I agree USB sticks are far superior but the floppy isn't quite dead yet!
>>
>
> For things like the above yes, but for data storage and transfer? No!

I AGREE

My office typing done off site and comes in via email.

I have 5 floppies. Monday to Friday

I edit the typing and store it on a floppy and give it to my secretary
who then prints it out.

The beauty of this is that I can identify the floppy with the icon
and the letter is ALWAYS A!


ES

[Gordon]

"Student" > wrote in message
...
>
>
>>
>>> I agree USB sticks are far superior but the floppy isn't quite dead yet!
>>>
>>
>> For things like the above yes, but for data storage and transfer? No!
>
> I AGREE
>
> My office typing done off site and comes in via email.
>
> I have 5 floppies. Monday to Friday
>
> I edit the typing and store it on a floppy and give it to my secretary
> who then prints it out.
>
> The beauty of this is that I can identify the floppy with the icon
> and the letter is ALWAYS A!
>

<sigh> You ARE joking, right?

[David]

FWIW, I was just able to format two 1.44 floppies, it took 4 seconds each.
Win 7 Ult 64 bit




On Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:20:56 -0000, "Peter Geddes" > wrote:

>On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
>disk.
>
>I tried to format a floppy disk with Windows 7 but it took quite a while to
>get to 100% and when it did, it came up with 'Unable to complete Format'.
>
>To start with, I thought the drive itself was knackered but after swapping
>it with a known working one, it did the same thing. I was able to format
>the disk with Windows XP no problem.
>
>This is with Windows 7 64-bit. I have seen other postings on various sites
>with people having the same problem. I just wondered if there is a
>solution?
>
>Thanks
--
Dave Norris
Lucasville, OH

[jim]

Boy I hope the floppy isn't dead - I still have my 8 floppies containing
Windows 3.1!

"Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
...
> I use it mainly for the SATA/RAID drivers for XP installs (via the F6
> method).
>
> I agree USB sticks are far superior but the floppy isn't quite dead yet!
>
> Thanks
>
> "Gordon" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Peter Geddes" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
>>> disk.
>>>
>>
>> Could I ask why you are using floppy disks?
>> Unless you are copying BIOS flash files or SATA disk drivers or something
>> similar that need a floppy, USB memory sticks FAR outclass anything
>> floppies ever did....in price, capacity, longevity and in read/write
>> speed...
>>
>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>> signature database 4580 (20091106) __________
>>
>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>
>> http://www.eset.com
>>
>>
>>
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4580 (20091106) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>

[Paul Brady]

On Sun, 8 Nov 2009 10:29:16 -0500, "jim" > wrote:

>Boy I hope the floppy isn't dead - I still have my 8 floppies containing
>Windows 3.1!
Right on! In addition, I still have my 78 rpm recording of
Koussevitsky and the Boston Symphony of Haydn's Symphony 94
("Surprise"), purchased in the 1940s, which I actually listen to from
time to time.

[Peter Geddes]

Only other thing I can add it's a GigaByte motherboard with an SB750
chipset.

Still the same problem.

Peter

"David" > wrote in message
...
>
> FWIW, I was just able to format two 1.44 floppies, it took 4 seconds each.
> Win 7 Ult 64 bit
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:20:56 -0000, "Peter Geddes" >
> wrote:
>
>>On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
>>disk.
>>
>>I tried to format a floppy disk with Windows 7 but it took quite a while
>>to
>>get to 100% and when it did, it came up with 'Unable to complete Format'.
>>
>>To start with, I thought the drive itself was knackered but after swapping
>>it with a known working one, it did the same thing. I was able to format
>>the disk with Windows XP no problem.
>>
>>This is with Windows 7 64-bit. I have seen other postings on various
>>sites
>>with people having the same problem. I just wondered if there is a
>>solution?
>>
>>Thanks
> --
> Dave Norris
> Lucasville, OH
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4585 (20091108) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4645 (20091128) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4645 (20091128) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

[Mr doe]

Peter Geddes wrote:
> Only other thing I can add it's a GigaByte motherboard with an SB750
> chipset.
>
> Still the same problem.
>
> Peter
>
> "David" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> FWIW, I was just able to format two 1.44 floppies, it took 4 seconds
>> each.
>> Win 7 Ult 64 bit
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:20:56 -0000, "Peter Geddes"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On my PC, Windows 7 seems to have trouble formatting & writing to floppy
>>> disk.
>>>
>>> I tried to format a floppy disk with Windows 7 but it took quite a
>>> while to
>>> get to 100% and when it did, it came up with 'Unable to complete
>>> Format'.
>>>
>>> To start with, I thought the drive itself was knackered but after
>>> swapping
>>> it with a known working one, it did the same thing. I was able to format
>>> the disk with Windows XP no problem.
>>>
>>> This is with Windows 7 64-bit. I have seen other postings on various
>>> sites
>>> with people having the same problem. I just wondered if there is a
>>> solution?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>> --
>> Dave Norris
>> Lucasville, OH
>>
>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>> signature database 4585 (20091108) __________
>>
>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>
>> http://www.eset.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
>> signature database 4645 (20091128) __________
>>
>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>
>> http://www.eset.com
>>
>>
>>
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4645 (20091128) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>
I noticed that win 7 will format a floppy. But it will not give you the
report as to if the disk has bad sectors .

[metspitzer]

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:09:34 -0500, Paul Brady >
wrote:

>On Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:20:13 -0000, "Gordon" >
>wrote:
>
>>Could I ask why you are using floppy disks?
>>Unless you are copying BIOS flash files or SATA disk drivers or something
>>similar that need a floppy, USB memory sticks FAR outclass anything floppies
>>ever did....in price, capacity, longevity and in read/write speed...
>
>Floppies are not useless. I write databases for ten clients, using
>Access 2000. These are all charities or nonprofit agencies, with
>different operating systems, ranging from Windows Me thru XP thru
>Vista. A few of them have USB connections in difficult-to-reach
>places, and, for their purposes, the floppies work fine, and the
>memory stick is awkward to use, requiring crawling on the floor to get
>behind the computer, or even buying a USB multiple connector. Yes, I
>do have a memory stick, but I do hope that Windows 7 will accommodate
>floppies. I ALSO hope that Windows 7 will accommodate Office 2000.
> Pete Brady


I hope floppies die a miserable painful death.

[mick]

On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:32:37 +0000, Peter Geddes wrote:

> 1. It's a Sony 1.44MB Floppy Disk drive
>
> 2. It's Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (4GB RAM).
>
> 3. I goto into Computer from the start menu, Right Click over the
> Floppy Disk icon and select format. I've tried quick format and full
> format with the same result 'Windows Unable to complete the format'.
>
> I know floppy's are old and almost no use now (except for installing
> WindowsXP when I need to use the F6 method).
>
> Thanks for the replies.
>
>
are you choosing the right file format?
I don't know what it should be, Fat 16? Fat 32? or even if it matters




--
mick

[mick]

On 25/08/2015 17:32:39, mick wrote:
> On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:32:37 +0000, Peter Geddes wrote:
>
>> 1. It's a Sony 1.44MB Floppy Disk drive
>>
>> 2. It's Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (4GB RAM).
>>
>> 3. I goto into Computer from the start menu, Right Click over the
>> Floppy Disk icon and select format. I've tried quick format and full
>> format with the same result 'Windows Unable to complete the format'.
>>
>> I know floppy's are old and almost no use now (except for installing
>> WindowsXP when I need to use the F6 method).
>>
>> Thanks for the replies.
>>
> are you choosing the right file format?
> I don't know what it should be, Fat 16? Fat 32? or even if it matters

oops!
don't know what happened there, I did not look at the date and just
replied to the above post. Hope Peter wasn't still waiting for an
answer :-)

--
mick