Page 1 of Floppy drive problem - help !

I can`t remember the last time I used it, but now when I put in a floppy disk, the green light goes on and I get the message
"The disk in drive A is not formatted, do you want to format it now?"

I know there`s files on it because it was produced on another pc. I`ve tried several disks with data on them all produce same problem.

Any idea how I sort it out ?

Cheers Niteowl

This item was edited on Wednesday, 12th October 2005, 11:51

Is your BIOS set to 1.44MB floppy disk rather than 2.88 or some other setting?

Don`t know, How can I check my Bios ? (some things I know but a lot I don`t!)
Thanks for getting back
Niteowl

p.s. I have a Dell P4 desktop

when you boot your pc during the first few seconds you usually have to press F11 or Del or something. It usually tells you as its booting up.

But to be honest, since floppy disc usage has all but dissapeared (I didnt even put one into the last two pcs I built), their quality has gone with it. My dad had a few floppies that `just stopped working`. The only advice you can give is get a cd writer and some cheap cds.

Oh, in addition to them randomly failing, you might have left it near a microwave or on top of a speaker. Which takes them right up the arse.

So, in summary, if you try the disk in another PC and it gives you the same error message, you`ve had it.

Sorry ;)

The disks work okay - have tried in other pcs - Would you believe they have JPGs saved on them from a very old Sony Digital Camera - something my kids school use for taking project photos. So I`ve got the task of printing the pictures and (using photoshop) to improve their quality if possible. :/

When I reboot pc it says hit Escape to cancel. Am slowly trying F1 key, Delete (which is what Dell support suggest) and Escape.

Cheers Niteowl

p.s. I always tell people to forget all about floppies, Totally agree with you on that Nick the Gum....

Quote:
Nick the Gum....

Holy scheitte batman, ntg gives oral now eh :)

Choagy FFCUK The SPL :)

Floppy Disk drive? What`s that then?

If you have any lost files on CD/DVD/HD you could try ISO Buster 1.6 (free D/L do a google), it worked for me on a data CD that was knacked,never tried it on Floppys but cant see why it shoudn`t work. :)
Quote:
The disks work okay - have tried in other pcs
Why dont you make a new copy then on the PC it works on. :/

This item was edited on Friday, 14th October 2005, 00:05

Whops ! sorry should have read Nick the Gun (me fingers slipped :D ).
Its not the disk thats at fault, but my a: drive :( Still struggling to get into the Bios. Have tried F1, Del, F11, Esc keys but nothing works. AVG 7 runs a scan almost immediately I start up pc, then W98SE loads.

Probably quicker buying a USB reader instead.

Cheers Niteowl

I need to read the disks in my pc, because I use Photoshop, the other pc that can read the floppys doesn`t have a CD writer or software to edit the photos.

This item was edited on Friday, 14th October 2005, 18:46

if the disks work in other peoples drives then i suggest you get a USB flashdrive and copy the files on someelses machine. If you have a lot of other floppy disks then get someone to check out your system for you (my father once got my brother in law to replace his floppy drive and still couldn`t read the disk with his home accounts on because the disk was damaged ha ha ha ha dumb)