What does formatting a disk do?

Question

I have a Windows 98 and a bunch of floppy disks. I want to print the documents, but every time I put in a disc, it says, "This disc needs formatting. Would you like to format it now? If I do, will I lose all of the files originally on it or not? If so, is there a way to keep these files? Thank you.

Answer 1

Don't worry! It's not asking do you want to format the hard drive, just the files on the disk. A 3½ floppy Must be formatted before you can put anything on them. They are cheaper if they are not already formatted when you buy them. Look and see if it says formatted on the disk. If not you will format each disk. If you are getting that message on a disk that already has some data on it, you must be trying to save a file that is to big for the space on the disk, or the disk may be corrupted.

Take a new floppy with no data on it, Format it, and then see if you can save to it. 3½ ‘s don’t hold much. Think about purchasing an external DVD writer. It will hold more data. Or a portable external hard drive is a great choice. You will probably need to upgrade your USB port to accommodate either of these. If you have a modem slot that is not being used, you can add 2 USB ports.

Answer 2

When it asks if you want to format a disc that you know has files on it, that's bad. It will definitely erase the information already on it. I'm honestly not sure why it says that, the problem I had is when I was trying to put a floppy disc with information from a Macintosh into a regular PC operating Windows and vise versa. It may also be because of a conflict in versions of Windows operating systems.



I normally store information on either compact discs (CDR-CDRW) or on an external hard drive. The nice thing about external hard drives is that it automatically stores the drivers it needs to run on pretty much any type of computer and it has much more storage capacity then either floppy or compact disks.

Answer 3

Formatting a disk rebuilds the file table on the disk. The file table keeps track of each file and where it is located on the disk or drive for that matter. And for that reason, files should be recoverable to an extent provided that the area that they were stored in is not corrupted or over-written several times. Since you've encountered this error message it could be the following:



-> The drive is dirty or broken. Try using other disks that you know work to rule out a broken or dirty drive. If broken, they're cheap to replace. If dirty, there is some kits available otherwise, look at the link below for more guidance regarding this.

-> The disk you're using may have physical or sector damage. If you place a functional disk in the drive and it works, you've verified that it is mostly the disk that may be at fault. Some damages such as sector damages, you may be able to recover files from.



There are applications you can use that may fix this. In Windows, right-click the drive and select the properties. This should bring up a window that has several tabs. The 'tools' tab will allow you to check the drive for error and may correct them if you select the appropriate options. Otherwise, consider downloading the recovery application in the link below. It will allow you to scan the drive and attempt to recover files.

Answer 4

Formating will earase all the data. If your disk has data on it, then it's already formated. you only formt your floppy drive the first time you want to use it. If your PC tells you all of your disk needs to be formated, then your floppy drive is bad. Put an unwanted disk in your drive, and when it ask you if you want to format it, click yes. See if it actually formats the disk. If it say this disk can not be formated, then the floppy drive is bad and needs to be replaced. Try this with several disk to make sure the foloppy drive is bad.

Answer 5

Formatting a disk means erasing anything that is on it and setting it up to accept files. If your computer is not reading the files on the disk, odds are pretty good that the disk is messed up. There is also the chance your floppy drive is messed up. Try the disk in another computer, if it can't read it, they are gone.

Answer 6

Formatting a Disk will erase any previously stored files on it, only do this if the files that you have on it our useless to you, and you want to use the disk for something else. You can keep the files though, transfure them from the Disk to your PC then format the disk.

Answer 7

How old are those floppies? Here are two things that happen:



1. Your floppy drive doesn't work at all, or it's just dirty and needs to be cleaned.



2. Your floppy disks are corrupted and will not work.



Try a bunch of floppies, if you get the same error then chances your floppy drive is dirty or doesn't work.

Answer 8

Format is a term used for Erasing. It's asking you if you want to get ride of all the files on your Disk. If you want to keep those files. First. copy them to a folder in your computer, or another disk. Then redo what you are talking about and choose to reformat that disk.

Answer 9

it happens to me during school all the time, you just have to format it so the disc can be read on that spefic computer, you won't lose any files or anything, good luck

Answer 10

yes you will loss all data on the disks formatting cleans the disk

Answer 11

it cannot store anything until it is formatted

click yes

Answer 12

delete any thing on it