Formatting a Diskette under XP Home SP2 _NTFS

[Guest]

I cannot format a diskette (for use w/a BIOS Flash) via the Control Panel, or
Command Prompt, Copy or Explore functions. Keep getting "Invalid media or
Track 0 Bad - Disk Unusable. Have tried several different diskettes w/same
problem. Using 1.44mb HD disks.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Check to see if the floppy drive is:

1) Correctly defined in the computer's/motherboard's BIOS. Should be 1.44MB
3.5 inch.

2) Check to see if the floppy drive's power and data cable are correctly
connected.

 

[Guest]

Yes to both. The drive will actually "spin" at first and you think it's
trying to read the diskette; but, then you get a message that it is unable to
comlete the format.

 

[Bob I]

It's not set to 3-way in the BIOS is it? If so change it.

 

[Guest]

I don't know what "3-way" means. The BIOS defines the floppy as 3.5 inch
1.44MB. Where is this 3-way setting?
Thanks!

 

[Alex Nichol]

I don't know what "3-way" means. The BIOS defines the floppy as 3.5 inch
1.44MB. Where is this 3-way setting?

In the BIOS there may be an 'Enable Floppy Mode 3' which you want off.
It applies only to a very limited number of older Japanese machines

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Alex. I don't have that selection available.

 

[Bob I]

Humm, is the floppy infrequently used? I have received PC's that were so
dirty inside the floppy drive read heads couldn't do full travel and I
would get errors for read and format.

 

[Guest]

Update: I have now discovered that i can get the drive to work if I use
considerable force when putting the diskette in. Duplicated this several
times, all with same results, so I believe my fi is to replace the drive.
"Slamming" the diskette in gets the drive engaged properly and I'm able to do
all functions it.
I want to thank everyone who responded for your thoughts and efforts to help
me.