Format Floppy Disk

A friend of mine who is running OS X (Panther) asked me how he would format a floppy disk using his external (USB) floppy drive. I have not been able to find how to do this. The disk utility does not broach this subject. Is it possible to do this or must one be content to just manually erase files?
iBook G-4 Mac OS X (10.4.4) 1.33 GHz, 768 MB memory, 60 GB HD, iPod Shuffle

Kurt,
This is news to me. Can I ask then...
I have a Macintosh Classic I got from eBay. All is good, but the Finder is password protected, and there is no way to get it.
I don't have the install floppies, so I downloaded System 7.0.1 image. It contains images for each of the floppies.
Will I be able to buy this drive and write the images at all?
Beavis2084

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Impossible to read/format floppy disks

Hi,
My config is :
MSI 865PE Neo2 PFISR
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Corsair Twinx 2*256 Mo Cas2
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro no OC
Hitachi 7k250 160 Go SATA
Enermax Noisetaker 370 W
AMIBIOS 3.4
Windows XP + SP1 + all latest updates (no SP2)
I've just assembled my PC. However, each time I insert a floppy disk, Windows says that the disk is not formatted (which is false). When I click on Yes to format it, I have, after some time, a message saying that Windows cannot format it (and another one saying that the disk cannot be formatted).
When I select the option "create a boot disk" to format it, I receive a message signaling an unexpected I/O error.
- I've bought a new floppy drive because I had some doubts about the old one : no change.
- I checked with another IDE : no change.
- I reversed the IDE : no change.
The device manager says that there is no problem on the Floppy disk drive.
The disks are not protectedagainst writing.
What could be the origin of the problem ?
I have not flashed the BIOS as I can't use the floppy disk drive.
Thanks for your help !
Sathor

Hi Sticks,
Yes, I had already tried to flip the IDE connector, but that was not the cause.
However, I have solved my problem !
I checked the new floppy disk drive on my old PC (PII 350) with the old IDE connector and the new one(MSI). It worked perfectly (though not at the first try). I copied and read files.
I put back the FDD on the IDE connector (MDI) and it works !
I'm really puzzled. What was really the problem ? I have tried all combinations with my 2 FDD and 2 IDE connectors several times this past week and today it works. Well, that'll remains a mystery.
Unfortunately, all is not perfect.
I have flashed the BIOS (version 3.80) via DOS.
I have set the BIOS to have the SATA recognized. Last time, I loaded defaults values, that's why I had the version 3.31a.
From time to time, I have still the problem with CoreCenter warning me about the CPU fan speed. I have not touched the fan since the assembling, so it's rather strange.
Any ideas ?

How can I boot my PXI controller into real-time without a floppy disk?

My PXI controller is in a lab which has intense magnetic fields that could corrupt the floppy disk used to boot the PXI controller into the LabVIEW Real-Time (RT) Operating System. How can I boot the PXI controller into real-time directly from the hard drive?

If you are using LabVIEW 5.1.2 Real-Time (RT), launch Remote System Explorer and select Disks >> Create Format Hard Drive Disk. If you have LabVIEW 6 RT, launch the Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) and select Tools >> RT PXI Disk Utilities >> Create Format Hard Drive Disk (LabVIEW RT 6 has not be released yet). Once you have created the disk, boot the PXI controller with the Format Hard Drive Disk, and this will format the PXI's hard drive and install the real-time OS boot loader. Now you can reboot the PXI without a floppy disk and configure the PXI using Remote System Explorer or MAX. Be aware that this will remove all information from the hard drive, including other operating systems.

How do I get my MacBook Air w OS X Yosemite to read 2.5" floppy disks from my 512?

Legacy people help!!!! I have a Mac Book Air with OS X Yosemite and an external floppy disc drive but I can't get the MacBook to read any of my old disks--not even the program disks! How do I get it to read these disks (They were originated on a Mac 512 MANY years ago.) Trying to get my new computer to read my old disks very important data in Word 3.0 (Have original program disk)

You mean 3.5" floppy disks.
The problem is that the floppy drive in a Macintosh 512K was for 400K disks (a special Macintosh format).
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP187
A Macintosh 512Ke could use 800K.
http://support.apple.com/kb/sp188
An external USB floppy drive is not capable of handling 400K, nor 800K. There are also software limitations with modern computers.
Do you still have the Macintosh 512K? Do you have access to another Macintosh computer with a built-in floppy drive (if yes, please post back with the model and operating system)?
Jan

I've got a system 7.1 folder that contains a disk tools.image how can i put this on a floppy disk?

I got myself a PowerBook 165 that has a moved file in the system folder thats stopping it from booting up. I downloaded a system 7 disk tools.image off the internet but the only thing is that I don't know what to do know. I got a usb floppy drive that I use sometimes for my pc stuff but sice mac os 10.8 dosn't have support for HFS I can't copy the image on to the disk. I also have a imac from 2000 that can read HFS files and write them but when ever i try and use disk utility to copy the image over to the floppy disk it always gives me an error. Can someone please help me? I really want my PowerBook to work again.

Was that on the G3 iMac, under Mac OS 9.2 or 10.4?
Is StuffIt Expander installed and active? If so, you could check whether the StuffIt Expander preferences are set to mount images (choose not to instead).
Anyway, download the Network Access Disk 7.5 file (preferably when the machine is running Mac OS 9.2). Use StuffIt Expander to decode the MacBinary (.bin). The self-expanding archive (.sea) will probably open automatically (otherwise, double-click on the .sea file). Locate a Network Access.image file inside the resulting Network Access folder.
Now, try Disk Copy 4.2 under Mac OS 9.2. Do not double-click on the image file. Instead, launch the Disk Copy (4.2) program. Choose to Load Image File, and select and open the Network Access.image. Then, click on the Make A Copy button. It may or may not be possible to create a floppy this way through a USB drive.
If Disk Copy 4.2 does not work, try Disk Copy 6.3.3 (Mount Image under the Image menu) with the Network Access.image file. The mounted image will be called Network Access. Insert a floppy in the USB drive before you choose Make a Floppy from the Utilities menu in Disk Copy 6.3.3.
If the above does not work, again mount the Network Access.image file using Disk Copy 6.3.3. Open the mounted image (Network Access). Inside is a System Folder. Open this System Folder and remove all files from the three folders Apple Menu Items, Control Panels and Extensions (throw them into the Wastebasket/Trash, do not forget to empty the Wastebasket/Trash). The size of the System Folder is now somewhat smaller. Try to drag-copy the System Folder onto an empty (freshly Mac-formatted) 1.44 MB floppy disk in the USB drive. This may or may not work.
Otherwise, you may want to test the Mac OS X dd procedure (the LowEndMac article).
Alternatively, you may want to use an old Windows PC with a built-in floppy drive (and Aladdin/StuffIt Expander and WinImage).
Jan

Putting pictures on System 7.1 with floppy disk created on Windows PC

Hi all, I have a Quadra 605 on system 7.1 that I've been experimenting with, would like to get some pictures transferred onto it. I tryed using apple file exchange which is on the Quadra to read a Windows DOS formatted disk with some pictures on it. I was able to copy the files from the disk to the hard drive on the Quadra using file exchange, but when I click on the icon to try to open the picture, I get a message that it can not be opened because the application program that created it can not be found. Is there something else I need to install on the Quadra to open a JPEG image or is there another way to go about doing this? I will not be able to connect the quadra to the internet, all I have is the floppy disk drive, there is no USB port either. Also, I have an iMac on system 9.2 that I copied some pictures to a floppy using the external floppy drive on the iMac. It would open the disk on the Quadra without using file exchange, but it wouldnt open the icons either - I would get the same message that the application program that created it can not be found. Anyhow, I have the iMac on system 9.2 that I can use as well if need to be.

An appropriate 68k version of the shareware program GraphicConverter could be one possibility.
http://www.lemkesoft.com/content/207/download-old-versions.html
An older web browser could be another. Try to open the file from within the application (via the Open dialogue); do not just double-click on it.
However, if not already available, one problem would be to transfer a program to the Quadra 605 if the file size is over 1.4 MB.
Some compression utilities can segment larger files for transfers on multiple floppies, but that would require compatibility on both sides.
Another way could be to use a null-modem cable between a DB-9M serial port of a Windows PC and the MiniDIN-8F Modem Port of the Quadra. The null-modem link can be created by connecting a PC-style DB-9F to DB-25F null-modem cable together with a normal Macintosh DB-25M to MiniDIN-8M hardware handshake modem cable. Normal communications software can be used on both computers (for example, the communications section of ClarisWorks on the Mac, and HyperTerminal on the PC). Do keep a Mac program file downloaded onto a PC in its encoded/compressed state (that is, hqx, bin or sit) until on a Macintosh computer.
Jan

KT4AV floppy disk not working

Hi,
I've tried several floppy disks (all of which work in other computers), and also flashed the bios to the latest version, and cleared the cmos.
What I'm still getting is this: I put a floppy disk into the diskdrive (in Windows, in DOS it seems to work... ), and get the following error: 'the disk is not formatted, whould you like to format it now?'. The disk works in other computers (tested).
I already tried the things mentioned above, and also replaced the FDD cable, and turned both the sides around (checked all possible combinations there). ...
Still, the same problem .
Has anyone had this before?
Or has anyone an idea how to solve this problem?
Thanks in advance,
Jeroen ter Heerdt

As I didn't yet get further replies...
Please help me!
I've got a new PC (see specs below), but the floppy diskdrive won't work. I tried several floppy's (that all work in another pc) and also another floppy diskdrive (that works in another pc to). I replaced the cable, and tried all possible combinations of connections.
I've also update the motherboard to the latest BIOS.
In DOS the floppy diskdrive works correctly. What can be wrong?
I've tested it in Windows XP, Windows 98 and Windows 2000, but nothing works.
Can anyone give me a clue? Should I return the motherboard?
Thanks for your reply.

G4 floppy disk

Hello ,
I have an old version of Cubase VST [4.1],and I would like to use it with my G4 ,just to have fun. Because this software has a protection system with a floppy disk ,I need to use a floppy disk drive with my G4, to authorise my hard disk for use with Cubase VST.
Would it be possible to connect a pc floppy disk drive? It happens to have one sitting.Could I use a pc cable,or do I need a special cable to connect it ?

Would it be possible to connect a pc floppy disk drive?
Only if it is a USB drive. Albeit special Mac driver software may be needed, many of the USB floppy drives (connected to a normal USB port) are usable for both platforms.
Please note that a USB floppy drive cannot handle 800K Mac-formatted floppies (only 1.44 MB).
Also, even if a USB drive would be compatible, do not automatically expect a program on the floppy disk to work with the G4. You may face both hardware and software limitations.
Jan

External Floppy Disk Drivers

Hi all, Can anyone tell me if I buy and external floppy disk drive - compatible
with Mac... will it transfer photos to my Mac if the floppy were created on
a Windows computer?
-or-
If I put the floppy disk photos on a CD-R using a Windows computer... will
the photos on the CD transfer to /or/ be readable by my Mac computer?
-or-
Am I just wasting my time with this and I should just throw the windows created floppy disks away. I no longer own a windows computer (it died)
and all I have is my new iBook. But, I would really like to figure out how
to trasfer the photos created on my deceased Windows computer and
stored on floppy disks over to my Mac computer. I have tried one (supposedly) Mac compatible external floopy disk drive... when I loaded
the (Windows created) floppy disk, my Mac was not able to view the
photos.
Thanks in advance for your help with this! ~~ HoundDogg
iBook G4 // PowerBook6,7 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

You will probably be able to use an external floppy drive to transfer the photos to the Mac, and you can do this with a CD-R. Some floppy disk formats are not supported on all platforms, and 800KB Mac floppies cannot be used in an USB floppy drive.
(15164)

Floppy disk for mac ii ci

Hi
Downloaded a game on to my macbook (Factory) about 8oo k.
I want to get it on an old IIci- but no floppy drive!
Before I go to the bother of doing this would the II ci accept a floppy produced from a newer Mac?
Thanks

Just a few additional notes.
If you do not wish to spend any money on hardware, and no semi-old Mac is available as an intermediary, but you know someone with a PC (many relatively new PCs have built-in floppy drives), the aforementioned PC-disk transfer could be used. However, you might not have access to Apple File Exchange (on the System 7.0.1 or 7.1 Tidbits system floppy) nor PC Exchange (e.g. part of the downloadable System 7.5.3), in which case PC-formatted disks cannot be read in the IIci. There is a solution to this, too. First of all, reformat a PC-formatted 1.44 MB diskette to Mac (just insert it in the IIci; the machine will offer to initialise the disk). Then use a PC utility for Mac disks (for instance, you may want to try a Google search for an older freeware program called HFVExplorer) to copy the downloaded MacBinary (.bin) or BinHex (.hqx) file to the just Mac-formatted floppy on a PC.
As indicated earlier, transfer a .bin or .hqx file as it is. StuffIt Expander will decode the file on the IIci. StuffIt Expander 4.0.1 for Macintosh can be obtained like this via a PC: Download the MACDISK.EXE file here onto the PC. Prepare an empty PC-formatted 1.44 MB diskette via the FORMAT A: command in DOS or the "Full" formatting option under Windows (this is important). Launch the MACDISK.EXE program on the PC. Follow the on-screen directions. When ready, immediately eject the disk. The automatic result will be a Mac-formatted floppy, complete with a StuffIt Expander installer.
Jan

Transferring files from old PC floppy disks

I have a collection of old floppies from a PC. Although I know I won't want most of the info on them, there are treatments for various ideas I'd really like to get hold of.
I've asked in the Apple shop, they said they couldn't think of a way.
My only thought was to try to get hold of an old PC with both floppy and CD drives & copy documents that way. Then I assume I'd have to install Parallels to make them readable.
Anyone have any better ideas?
Thanks
Macula

1.44 floppy are readily available in USB form for about $20. A shareware program called "copyQM" is possibly still available that can transpose any 5 1/4 floppy to the 720/1.44 format. You will need minimum a real PC loaded with DOS 3.0 or higher, 5 1/4 floppy and 3.5 (1.44) floppy. It will also make images of the floppy disks as well. You could load those on cd's of course.
If interested contact Sydex to see if they still supply the program:
http://www.sydex.com/

I have a Power MAC 7200. It's hardware is failing. How can I get the old files off, so I can use them on a PC? This system will save to a 3.5 inch floppy disk.

My Power Mac 7200 is failing. I would like to be able to use old reports on my PC. How can I transfer them?
The Mac will save files to a 3.5 inch floppy disk.

You could write the files to a PC formatted floppy, you might be able to do File Sharing from it to the PC with an Ethernet cable.
How bad off is the 7200? Can we maybe fix it?

Is there an Apple approved device that will allow me to access photos on 3.5" floppy disks?

I have family photos on 3.5" floppy disks that I want to transfer to iPhoto. Is there an Apple approved device to do so? Thanks for your help!

The only problem that I could foresee is that the 3.5" disks may not be in a current Apple format of HFS+. You're probably safe if they're 1.44MB floppies but if they're 400-800K floppies - in the older HFS format you should still be able to read files from the disks with no problems, but no writing back to or erasing the disks.
I remember going through all the trouble with my SyQuest and ZIP disks, too!
Good luck,
Clinton

I need a floppy disk drive for old 3 1/2" disks. I have a PowerBook G4 Mac with MacOS X 10.4 operating system. What will work for me?

I need a floppy disk drive for old 3 1/2" disks. I have a PowerBook G4 with Mac OS X 10.4 operating system. What external drive will for for me?

Hi,
Providing that the old 3.5" floppies are 1.44 MB HD disks, you should be able to use a USB floppy drive.
However, if the disks are 2DD/DSDD in the 800K Mac format a USB drive is not going to work. In this case you would need a suitable semi-old Macintosh computer with a built-in floppy drive as an intermediary.
Jan

Migrating files on older Mac floppy disks to CD disks

Hi-was wondering what would be the best process to copy files that are on old floppy disks (circ 1991) that were originally formatted on Mac, to a CD. My husband happens to have a older PC with a floppy drive but it did not recognize my floppy disk. Is it best to purchase a Macintosh floppy drive? Or is there something else I could do to transfer these files to CD? I have a Mac Mini.
Thanks, Amy

Hi, Amy -
If your disks are DSDD (Double Density), your only option is to find or contract for older hardware that can read them. The last Apple machine that was capable of reading DSDD/Variable Speed disks had built-in floppy drives (i.e. the beige G3 era). If your disks are DSHD (High Density), then you have the option of attaching a USB floppy drive to your Mac Mini; but a PC isn't going to prove useful in either scenario.
If you don't have a neighbor or other volunteer to do the conversion for you, there are services out there that will for a fee:
http://retrofloppy.com
http://rich12345.tripod.com/disktransfer/index.html

Format Floppy Disk

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