How does one format a stiffy in Windows XP?

[ldmelsa]

I have tried the command prompt, and have tried on two computers. I can't get any floppies to read. I bought a new pack of floppies.

 

[tco21]

Right click on the drive letter and choose format?

Edit: nevermind.

 

[Earther]

What on earth do you still do with stiffies?

 

[LazyLion]

Did you buy those stiffies from Methuselah?

Seriously, WTH do you want with stiffies?

There is nothing that you really need a stiffy drive for anymore.

I can't believe that at one point in time I used to have boxes and boxes of the pointless things.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Stiffies?

So gone like 286'es...

Best to use is a memory stick.

What do you want to use stiffies for?

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Also had tons and tons of stiffies

Just chucked them out

 

[ldmelsa]

So nobody knows how to format a floppy in XP? If it was as simple as right-clicking and formatting I would not be asking on a forum.

 

[Drunkard #1]

Well what errors do you get? What's wrong with format a: or right click - format?

 

[tco21]

Have you checked under device manager that the stiffy drive is working properly?

 

[werner]

content removed

 

[Tpex]

What happens when you right click on the drive and click format?

 

[skusku]

Ive just re realized that a floppy is a whole 1.44mb. thats super huge! it can take about 1/3 of a song in 192kbps stereo. ok and formating a floppy is as easy as right click -> format by the way.

Do u guys remember that cool sound it made when trying to read the floppy.

 

[Tpex]

Ive just re realized that a floppy is a whole 1.44mb. thats super huge! it can take about 1/3 of a song in 192kbps stereo. ok and formating a floppy is as easy as right click -> format by the way.

Do u guys remember that cool sound it made when trying to read the floppy.

read through the thread.... he said he can't do that for some reason

But geez I hate those things, always have a fusking problem, and so slow!

 

[Kaufies]

We probably aren't thinking about the same kind of "stiffy"

I actually had to do it once on XP and the command prompt worked, can't remember exactly what I did though (it was a long time ago).

 

[LazyLion]

Just go to one of these sites and find the image you need and copy the image to the disk using a utility provided...

http://www.allbootdisks.com/
http://www.bootdisk.com/

 

[LazyLion]

You can also try this format tool...

http://www.easyhr.com.au/software/easy_format.htm

or follow these instructions....

1. Begin by placing the floppy disk that you want to copy into your floppy drive.
2. Double click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop until it opens.
3. Then gently click on the 3½ Floppy (A icon just until it becomes highlighted.
4. Then click on the word File, which is contained in your top tool bar area.
5. This will pull down a menu for you to now click on the word Format.
6. By default, Windows XP will perform a Full Format upon your floppy disk.
7. If you want to perform a Quick format, then place a check mark next to the Quick Format option.
8. You can also label your Floppy by typing a name into the Volume label white area.
9. After making your selections, click on the Start button to initiate the format process.
10. Windows will warn that Formatting will erase all data on your disk, click the OK button to continue.
11. A progress indicator bar will travel across the screen for depicting the Format progress.
12. Windows will notify you when the Format is complete. Click on the OK button to close this window.
13. Then close all open windows to return back to your Windows session.

 

[RSkeens]

Are you trying to format 720KB stiffies, does it give an error? I can't imagine those still being sold.

 

[Kalvaer]

I have tried the command prompt, and have tried on two computers. I can't get any floppies to read. I bought a new pack of floppies.

Are you trying to put 5¼-inch disks into a 3½-inch drive Most 3½-inch were called Stiffies, while the 5¼-inch disks floppy, so if your trying to format "floppies" in a "Stiffy" drive... you cant

PS:

FORMAT A: /FS:FAT /Q /F:1.44

Should be the command prompt code, if you wanted to do a 1.44" stiffy with FAT16 in XP if its your A drive with a quick format

 

[howardb]

Have you checked under device manager that the stiffy drive is working properly?

+1 you need to check and see if the stiffy drive device is correctly picked up by Device Manager - Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager
There should be a "Floppy disk controller" and "Floppy disk drive" item listed.

If not, is it enabled in the BIOS, 'cos if it ain't, then Windows XP won't read it (it will show up as a device though).

 

[MyWorld]

Make sure all your cables are plugged in correctly and that your stiffy drive has power.

GO into the BIOS and make sure you have the stiffy enabled.

If non of the above work go to a museum and trade your drive for a working one.