Floppy Disc Dificulties - HELP!!!

I am trying to tranfer a file onto a blank floppy disc, but first I have to
format it. I understand that you have to open my conputer & right click, then
move to format. But what afterwords? I would be extremely greatful if maybe
someone with expierience could answer these questions for me:

Compacity: 3.5", 1.44MB, 512 bytes/sector
File System: FAT
Allocation Unit Size: Default allocation size
Volume Lable: ??? [NEED HELP WITH THIS]

Format Options:
Quick Format: ??? [YES OR NO]
Create an MS-DOS startup disc: ??? [YES OR NO]

I know this probably sounds extremely rediculous, but I seriously need this
help!

No problem, adreanne, you don't need to format, just direct the file to be
transferred to: 3 1/2 Floppy (A) with the disk inserted.

Harry.


"adreanne" u20355@uwe wrote in message news:5e1acf8b22d0f@uwe...
I am trying to tranfer a file onto a blank floppy disc, but first I have
to
format it. I understand that you have to open my conputer & right click,
then
move to format. But what afterwords? I would be extremely greatful if
maybe
someone with expierience could answer these questions for me:

Compacity: 3.5", 1.44MB, 512 bytes/sector
File System: FAT
Allocation Unit Size: Default allocation size
Volume Lable: ??? [NEED HELP WITH THIS]

Format Options:
Quick Format: ??? [YES OR NO]
Create an MS-DOS startup disc: ??? [YES OR NO]

I know this probably sounds extremely rediculous, but I seriously need
this
help!

adreanne, see answers 'in-line' for general terms :-

"adreanne" wrote:-

I am trying to tranfer a file onto a blank floppy disc,
but first I have to format it.

Blank floppy discs are *usually* supplied pre-formatted, however ...

I understand that you have to open my conputer & right click, then
move to format. But what afterwords? I would be extremely greatful if
maybe
someone with expierience could answer these questions for me:

Compacity: 3.5", 1.44MB, 512 bytes/sector
File System: FAT
Allocation Unit Size: Default allocation size
Volume Lable: ??? [NEED HELP WITH THIS]

Don't worry about the 'Volume Label', the computer will automatically
allocate a random one. (It usually has hexadecimal number e.g. 84A0 322C
and unless required by some really rare application, usually serves only as
a unique identintifier.)

Format Options:
Quick Format: ??? [YES OR NO]

A 'quick format' just clears the records (file allocation table) of existing
data, but does not erase the actual data, therefore allowing the disk to
appear 'empty' for all intents and purposes. (A 'Full Format' erases the
data too)

A 'Full Format' is only required for an 'unformatted disk' or when a disk
has been giving errors and needs 'repairing' - unless it is totally
worn-out.

Create an MS-DOS startup disc: ??? [YES OR NO]

If you only wish to use the disk for transfering data files etc., then you
should answer NO.

An MS-DOS startup disc is only usually required for
maintenance/troubleshooting aids or specific applications requiring to be
run by 'booting' from the floppy drive. For your present requirement, you do
not need to make the disk an 'MS-DOS startup disc'


I know this probably sounds extremely rediculous, but I seriously need
this
help!

Hope that helps and good luck

Mart

Hi Adreanne

Capacity by default is 1.44Mb (the usual size)

Volume Label - Puts a title on your FD (limited to some 10 chars). You won't
see it anyway. If you're not fussed, ignore it. No Label unchecked is the
default. Windows will just put a unique serial number on the disk, which you
still won't see except in the summary if you leave the Label field blank.

Quick/Full - Quick option just removes file details from the file system
leaving the disk free to be written over. Full overwrites the disk with
random data. If you are security minded, Quick will leave files open to
erased file recovery applications and/or leave viruses on the disk.
Also Quick is quick - takes maybe 30 sec, Full is slow - takes maybe 1 min.
If in any doubt use the full option the time saved is minimal.

Display summary - as it says; displays disk size, any bad sectors, etc. If
it reports any bad sectors, consign the disk to the waste paper basket. So
leave it checked.

AFAIK in WinME, Start-up disk is only available in Control Panel/Addremove
Programs. I strongly recommend you create a Start-up disk, and keep it safe.
In the case of severe computer malfunction, there are facilities there which
WinME gurus out there will advise you how to use.

--
Delboy

A common mistake that people made when trying to design something completely
foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

Douglas Adams
"adreanne" u20355@uwe wrote in message news:5e1acf8b22d0f@uwe...
I am trying to tranfer a file onto a blank floppy disc, but first I have
to
format it. I understand that you have to open my conputer & right click,
then
move to format. But what afterwords? I would be extremely greatful if
maybe
someone with expierience could answer these questions for me:

Compacity: 3.5", 1.44MB, 512 bytes/sector
File System: FAT
Allocation Unit Size: Default allocation size
Volume Lable: ??? [NEED HELP WITH THIS]

Format Options:
Quick Format: ??? [YES OR NO]
Create an MS-DOS startup disc: ??? [YES OR NO]

I know this probably sounds extremely rediculous, but I seriously need
this
help!

ps I forgot that new disks are pre-formatted. My comments about Quick/Full
really apply to pre-used disks.

--
Delboy

A common mistake that people made when trying to design something completely
foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

Douglas Adams
"Delboy" wrote in message
...
Hi Adreanne

Capacity by default is 1.44Mb (the usual size)

Volume Label - Puts a title on your FD (limited to some 10 chars). You
won't
see it anyway. If you're not fussed, ignore it. No Label unchecked is the
default. Windows will just put a unique serial number on the disk, which
you
still won't see except in the summary if you leave the Label field blank.

Quick/Full - Quick option just removes file details from the file system
leaving the disk free to be written over. Full overwrites the disk with
random data. If you are security minded, Quick will leave files open to
erased file recovery applications and/or leave viruses on the disk.
Also Quick is quick - takes maybe 30 sec, Full is slow - takes maybe 1
min.
If in any doubt use the full option the time saved is minimal.

Display summary - as it says; displays disk size, any bad sectors, etc. If
it reports any bad sectors, consign the disk to the waste paper basket. So
leave it checked.

AFAIK in WinME, Start-up disk is only available in Control Panel/Addremove
Programs. I strongly recommend you create a Start-up disk, and keep it
safe.
In the case of severe computer malfunction, there are facilities there
which
WinME gurus out there will advise you how to use.

--
Delboy

A common mistake that people made when trying to design something
completely
foolproof was to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

Douglas Adams
"adreanne" u20355@uwe wrote in message news:5e1acf8b22d0f@uwe...
I am trying to tranfer a file onto a blank floppy disc, but first I have
to
format it. I understand that you have to open my conputer & right click,
then
move to format. But what afterwords? I would be extremely greatful if
maybe
someone with expierience could answer these questions for me:

Compacity: 3.5", 1.44MB, 512 bytes/sector
File System: FAT
Allocation Unit Size: Default allocation size
Volume Lable: ??? [NEED HELP WITH THIS]

Format Options:
Quick Format: ??? [YES OR NO]
Create an MS-DOS startup disc: ??? [YES OR NO]

I know this probably sounds extremely rediculous, but I seriously need
this
help!