Can't format floppy!

[Guest]

All of a sudden, I am unable to format a 1.44MB floppy.
I see a screen that says "The disk is write protected."
If I reverse the slider on the floppy, the same thing happens.
Starting with My Computer, Windows Explorer or the Command Prompt the
results are the same.
How can I format my floppies?
Thanks

 

[Pop`]

All of a sudden, I am unable to format a 1.44MB floppy.
I see a screen that says "The disk is write protected."
If I reverse the slider on the floppy, the same thing happens.
Starting with My Computer, Windows Explorer or the Command Prompt the
results are the same.
How can I format my floppies?
Thanks

Have the floppies already been formatted prior to this? If so, and if there
are any files/folders on it, then the file system on the floppy might be
marked as read-only. Kill the read only as you would any other folder in
windows, and try the format again.
If you want to use the command prompt, opent it, go to A: and type attrib
*.* -r -s and Return. That should let you format the diskette.

HTH
Pop`

 

[Peter D]

All of a sudden, I am unable to format a 1.44MB floppy.
I see a screen that says "The disk is write protected."
If I reverse the slider on the floppy, the same thing happens.
Starting with My Computer, Windows Explorer or the Command Prompt the
results are the same.
How can I format my floppies?

The most common reason for this is that the LED that signals whether the
floppy can be written to or not is dead or has something covering or
interfering with it. Try a blast of air to get rid of any dust or fuzz. You
coudl also check the cables for tightness (the line can be shorting or open
because of a loose cable). If that doesn't work, it might be best to just
replace it, especially if it's quite old. I'm assuming that you have hte
slier inthe "unprotect" position, it has formatted floppies before, and the
formatted floppies all work fine and it can read them as well as other
floppies.

 

[Gordon]

All of a sudden, I am unable to format a 1.44MB floppy.

Not an answer but have you really considered other alternatives to floppy
disks? USB Pen drive for example? Floppies were NOT a good way to transfer
data EVER.

 

[Guest]

Dear Pete,

If still your problem is not clear,,, try this out.... may be it will work
for u...

1. First, you just shutdown and restart your system,
2. Open the BIOS setup program, as per the manufacturer's guidelines.
(Generally, by key-in the DEL or F10 key while system bootup will let you to
BIOS program).
3. Find out the option of DEVICE SECURITY / Floppy protection.
4. If the opt. is found, just deselect the Floppy protection opt. (i.e., if
there exists an opt. of 'Floppy write protect' is Enabled, then just change
it to Disable).
5. Then, save the BIOS settings and exit,
6. Reboot your win xp, now try the floppy format.....

**********