Formatting floppy disks

[GKW]

I have just tried to format a floppy disk and got a message saying Windows was unable to complete the format. Does this mean the disk is corrupted?

TIA

[Old_Geezer]

That would be my guess. (Given the lack of information from MS Windows.)
Try formatting it on a different PC ?

[beso]

Most floppy disks are now so old that they are often not serviceable. One of the common problems is the mold growing on the disk.

Toward the end of their production they were being knocked out at such low cost the manufacturers did everything to cut costs. The magnetic layer was made as thin as possible. They are quite transparent if you hold them up to a bright light.

[galeck1947]

Windows no longer supports this format and hasn't for sometime. Nobody uses these and no new computers have a drive to accept them. Use a cd or dvd for data etc.

[Answerprancer]

...furthermore, floppy disks take ages to load/save and only store 1.4 **MEG** of info.
The only reason I can assume you would want to continue using them is because you are a collector of obsolete technology (?)
If you were trying to recover information from a floppy disk, I could understand, but to try and FORMAT one for future use ...hmmm.

[Old_Geezer]

There are benefits if you are not looking for a hard drive substitute. The good old floppy used to hold enough data to be useful, and you could actually write the contents on the label. Flash drives don't come with a label, although I appreciate one can write on a CD/DVD jewel box, but I find them less convenient in the pocket.

Did you try a different PC ? Did you try a different floppy in the original PC ?