Copyright © 1997-2008 Elizabeth Boston, The Computer Lady

Dear Computer Lady,

 

I have received more computer knowledge from you than anyone else. Keep up the good work.

 

I have a question!! I have XP and would like to know how you re-format a 3 1/2 " floppy.

 

Thanks for all the help you give us in OUR language.

 

Jane

Dear Jane,

 

Here is how you format a floppy in Windows XP:

 

1. Insert a floppy in the floppy drive.

 

2. Click on "Start" and then click on "My Computer".

 

3. Right click on "3 1/2 Floppy (A:)" and click on "Format...".

4. Leave the first three settings the way they are. You can type in a volume label if you want.

 

5. Under "Format Options" Quick format will just erase the table of contents instead of actually formatting the whole disk. If you want to be able to boot to DOS with this floppy, then you select "Create an MS-DOS startup disk". Just remember that if your hard drive is formatted in NTFS (the default for XP) you will not be able to access any files with the MS-DOS disk.

 

6. Once you have selected your options, click "Start" and the floppy disk will be formatted.

 

Elizabeth