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How to repair a floppy disk?

Assia -  
 bicky -
Hello;
I can't open a floppy disk that already contains data. When I insert it into the disk drive, it shows me a message saying that I need to "format the floppy disk." Please, is there a way to recover my data?
Thank you

10 answers

  1.
    bArBaRe (clan N.B.S) Posted messages 32 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   11
     
    If the floppy disk has become unreadable, there's an old trick from ancient computer enthusiasts: you stick your floppy disk against a speaker at least as big as the disk, turn the volume up high for about 30 seconds, and then try again.
    This trick has proven effective, but it doesn't work every time.
    By the way, stop using floppy disks!
    8
  2. solidairnet
     
    Hello,
    I had a similar (or almost) problem, a Google search brought me here, but it didn't solve my issue,
    then I found this link:

    https://www.sosrestauration.com/sosrestauration_com/exemples.php?c=disquette

    So in My Computer, I right-clicked on my floppy disk / Properties / Tools tab / Check Now button / I ticked Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors and OK

    and then I was able to copy my file ....(but still somewhat damaged)
    1
  3. le druide Posted messages 40644 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 616
     
    Hi,

    if you're on Windows XP, this problem has been discussed a thousand times without answers...

    a possible solution could be: check from Windows 98 if you can access the content.

    the druid without the potion.
    0
    1. assianitta Posted messages 3 Status Member
       
      Thank you,
      I am looking for the solution for both, because at home I have 98 and at the office I have Win XP.
      0
  4. le druide Posted messages 40644 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 616
     
    Sorry, I don't have time to respond; I have to leave for work by this evening. If no one has brought any solutions, we can discuss it again later.

    Have a good afternoon.

    The druid without the potion.
    0
  6. andré
     
    you are certainly using XP. In this case, click on Start, Run; type cmd click OK.
    The screen displays: c:\Documents and Settings\André (because the software is registered under this name) > type restore a: c:\folder name\*.*
    If there is no folder type restore a: c:\*.*

    If you are using win98, you need the restore file from dos 5.0 and place it in the setver table. Then at c:> type restore a: c:\foldername, if there is one\*.*
    0
    1. assianitta Posted messages 3 Status Member
       
      Thank you, André;
      I did what you told me, but it displays the following message:

      "'restore' is not recognized as an internal or external command, an executable program, or a batch file."
      0
    2. bicky
       
      Me too :-(
      0
  7. le druide Posted messages 40644 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 616
     
    andré, this has nothing to do with the posted problem. XP that formats the diskette when there is data on it. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a known issue but there is no solution for now... bug or no bug in XP, the mystery is still ongoing.

    the druid without the potion.
    0
  8. blueoystercult
     
    Just. Floppy disks are sometimes read very poorly on XP while they work just fine on 98
    Mystery?: could it simply be the fact that XP runs on NTFS and has trouble with FAT 16?
    --
    Hello at your place!
    I'm not a number, I'm a free man!
    0
  9. assianitta Posted messages 3 Status Member
     
    I think the problem is not related to a bug in XP or 98, but rather to a diskette that becomes unreadable after a certain number of reads. I remember a long time ago, a friend had the same problem and a classmate resolved it by taking the diskette to his brother who is a computer technician, and she was able to recover her data. Unfortunately, I no longer have contact with my friend to ask for more info, but I believe there is a solution.

    See you!
    0
  10. le druide Posted messages 40644 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 616
     
    I share the same reasoning as Leo; I am convinced that it is a file system issue "Fat, NTFS"

    see if formatting a floppy disk under XP then reading it under Win98, then doing the reverse operation.

    the druid without the potion.
    0
  11. joeydu79100
     
    With a real MS-DOS, it would work. Indeed, the disk must have switched from FAT to RAW, but XP can't read it. This format is very well read under MS-DOS. Try with 98, or older if you can. Or download software that reads RAW formatted disks.
    If it works, then it was indeed in RAW.
    0