Windows can't format floppy disks

[rikkitikkitavi1]

I'm having the same issue on this PC and 2 HP laptops. One laptop is Windows 7, which is the main computer I use for the floppies, and an HP running Windows 10, that I used only to try the A drive and the floppies. I have a specific embroidery machine program that will only run on Windows 7, and requires floppy disks to transfer designs from the computer to the machine. Until about three months ago or so, I had absolutely no problems connecting a peripheral A drive, and transferring the designs. I have three different A drives that I use, randomly. I tried to transfer designs from my HP laptop to floppy, and got a message that the disk had to be formatted. I tried to format, then got the message that Windows was unable to format and to make sure the disk and the drive were properly connected. I tried a few previously unused, but formatted disks, and got the same messages. I then put it a disk that was full of designs, and STILL got the message that the disk needed to be formatted. I then tried this PC, with all three A drives, and...same messages!! I could accept that the unused disks might not be formattable, however, when I get a message that the disk with the designs need to be formatted, then I know there's a problem, just don't know what! Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! The embroidery machine only works on floppies, so it's imperative that I find a solution. Oh, and I did do a restore on the 2 W7 computers, with no positive results.

Thank-you!!

 

[wither 2]

I'm not going to try to type your user name.

Do you have the correct drivers for these floppy drives?

 

[rikkitikkitavi1]

Yes, I've updated the drivers in the control panel. Disks still cannot be formatted.

 

[RoWin7]

I'm not going to try to type your user name.

...

Pronounced "ricky-ticky-tahvi." A mongoose. Add him/her to the list of mongooses at this forum.

 

[file3456]

The one thing I'm thinking could be the issue since you said just a couple months ago the floppy disk drive worked is that a Windows update messed something up.

The other idea is that you need to go back and think about any software, drivers or hardware you have added just prior to this issue.

Another way that might (though not sure) work is to load Windows XP or even Windows 7 in VMware and use that OS with your floppy disks. If the floppy drive is USB, then VMware should see it. You can use VMware Workstation Player for free. VMware creates what is called a virtual machine. It's quite literally like having another computer withen a computer, but through software.

That's one avenue you can take if all else fails. Since my mom is into sewing and is part of a baby doll sculpting guild, I can understand your dilemma. If this happened to my mom's computer I could have it fixed in a jiffy. But since I can't sit in front of your computer it's a little hard to figure out.

 

[wither 2]

Check to make sure the disc lock is off.

Another thing to try would be to insert the disc during the boot process and then reboot. This sometimes works with CD players.

 

[johnhoh]

Are your diskettes 720KB or 1.4MB? To format in 720KB you need to use the command
FORMAT A: /T:80 /N:9

Another thing to note is that windows may have updated your floppy driver somewhere along the line. So try changing the driver. Go to device manager or just do Start > run > devmgmt.msc > press enter > find your floppy device and do a right-click > update driver software > browse my computer > let me pick from a list > then see if you have other driver options to choose from and select one