I did as it said and I get this

The type of file system is RAW

The new file system is FAT

Verifying 1.44m

Invalid media of Track 0 bad-disk unusable.

Pls fill me in on whats going on and give any other info.

If you're running XP, then this might work. In Start> Run> type in CMD. In the box that opens, type in Format a: /x .More on this issue here:

http://www.cs.bsu.edu/homepages/gjjones/administrivia/categories/computerHelpdesk/2003/06/12.html

Here is a sample of the comments at that site. ~3 posts were like this. The format a: /x worked for all the rest:

"Well I decided to shut-down my firewall (Zone Alarm Pro) and then I could read the diskette from DOS but not Windows.
Then I tried formatting and neither DOS nor Windows would format it. DOS seemd to attempt stating
"The type of file system is RAW. The new file system is FAT", but then it said "Invalid media or track 0 bad - disk unusable".

You can give this a try in DOS. Copy the following bold text to notepad:

xcopy "C:\Documents and Settings\user name\Desktop\floppy\*.*" A:
pause

Change user name above to your login name.

Save as DosCopy.bat ,using "all files" from the dropdown menu, to the desktop. Create a new folder on the desktop named floppy. Move the file you want to save to the disc into the desktop floppy folder. Then run DosCopy.bat and see if it copies the file. Post back if it worked under DOS.

amada112280,

That message either means that the particular floppy disk cannot be used because it is corrupted or that your floppy disk drive is malfunctioning. Try another floppy disk. If it works, the first possibility has been verified. If it doesn't you may need to replace the floppy disk drive.

I have never used my Floppy so I don't know how it could be messed up?

I tryed what you said to do I get this

The disk in drive A is not formatted.

Do you want to formate it now? I didn't click anything because im not trying to mess anything up.

Anyhow the floppy screen tells me this also

Formate 31/2 floppy A

Capacity 3.5", 1.44mb, 512 bytes/sector

File System  FAT

Quick formate: Enable compression,  Create an Ms-Dosstartup disk and thats that

Clicked cancel and it tells me (the disk in drive A cannot be reformatted).

Anymore advice?

Message Edited by amanda112280 on 05-30-2004 10:09 PM

I had a problem with XP saying a disk was unusable (and marked it as such) and then used it later with no trouble. When you get the "do you want to format it now", click yes and see if it will allow the format. If not, give this a try. Restart the computer and try to save the file immediately after boot up. Also try a new floppy. Then try using the DOS commands previously posted. This is an apparent flaw in XP noted by the number of posts like yours. If you have a friend with another OS like Win98, see if you can save a file on that particular diskette. If so then the diskette is OK.

Also, did you disable any Anti-virus software that is running first?

Message Edited by chuket on 05-30-2004 11:48 PM

I want to know what RAW is???

 

> I did as it said and I get this

The type of file system is RAW

The new file system is FAT

Verifying 1.44m

Invalid media of Track 0 bad-disk unusable.

Pls fill me in on whats going on and give any other info.

I clicked yes and didn't  work some of the info I gave you before was because of trying to do it and it not letting me.  I did not have anything open or in use at the time of doing it. My floppys are new lol just got them yesterday.

Message Edited by amanda112280 on 05-31-2004 12:05 AM

RAW means there is no file system on the disk.  The fact that Windows is telling you that is a good indication you have a bad drive.  The fact you can't format new floppies pretty much confirms it.  The floppy drive gets a lot of junk drawn into it by the internal fans.  Open the door and look inside with a flashlight and I'll bet you see dust bunnies in there.

If you're still under warranty, Dell will replace it.  If not, they charged $15 for a new drive the last time I replaced one.

Dave

Goto Bios hitting F2 during boot.

Select Integrated Devices.

 Select Diskette Interface and set it to "Auto" instead of "Read only".

 

Dimension 8300
-----------------------
P4 3.0 GhZ - HT
1024 DDR (2x512MB)
Ati Radeon 9800 (non Pro)
Soundblaster live digital
120 GB SATA (Seagate-7200U-8mb)
16X Dvd Rom (Samsung 616T)
4X Dvd +R/+RW Writer (NEC-1100A)
-----------------------
FRITZ!Card DSL SL (AVM)
20" HP A4033A

 

> Goto Bios hitting F2 during boot.

Select Integrated Devices.

 Select Diskette Interface and set it to "Auto" instead of "Read only".

 

 

What is Bios?? Please give a good step for step will get confused (laughs)

Also, if you just installed the drive, ensure you have the cable end with teh twist in it, connected to the floppy drive, not the motherboard.

Also, if you just installed the drive, ensure you have the cable end with the twist in it, connected to the floppy drive, not the motherboard.

It's not a new drive might have dust in it (laughs)

I have not used it from the time I have had this computer it comes up as RAW and not FAT