How do you test your blank 1.4 MB (high density) floppy disks?

[Muse]

I have a lot of old (5 year or more) floppy disks and most of them are either empty of have stuff I no longer value. What's the best way to ensure quality? Would you just reformat them or is there a better way? Scandisk, another utility? What would YOU do? I'm using Win2000, generally speaking.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Open a DOS box and type
FORMAT /U
when it's done the display will list "xxx bytes in bad sectors" if the disk is not longer reliable. Toss it if there is even 1 byte of bad sectors.

 

[Smilin]

I've got a stack that I reuse as well. I don't test them, just use em and if something comes up I chuck em and get a new one. Mind you I never use floppies for anything important.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Open a DOS box and type
FORMAT /U
when it's done the display will list "xxx bytes in bad sectors" if the disk is not longer reliable. Toss it if there is even 1 byte of bad sectors.

C:\>a:
A:\>Format /u a:

What does the /u switch do?

 

[CotswoldCS]

the /U stands for Unconditional Format but I don't think this is available if you are using WinXP or 2K.

I personally would do a quick format as a full format takes ages. If it sounds bad or takes longer than others bin it and get another.

Personally I would chuck all of my floppies away, but ocassionally I still have to use them. It makes you appreciate how much things have advanced in recent years.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Smilin
I've got a stack that I reuse as well. I don't test them, just use em and if something comes up I chuck em and get a new one. Mind you I never use floppies for anything important.

Nowadays, with HD space so cheap, I wouldn't put anything on a floppy I cared about that wasn't stored on more than one physical HD.

I used to have too many bad experiences with floppies with bad sectors to keep any floppy that had known bad sectors. I remember when you had to pay close to a dollar for a floppy. Well, if you looked around they were obtainable for a little less.

 

[DaveSimmons]

> What does the /u switch do?

hmm, (does FORMAT /?) possibly nothing in W2K/XP in "real" DOS it means "unconditional" format.