For some reason I can't do a full format on floppies using either Win XP or Win 98 (dual boot). I can do a "quick format" from either windows. When I UN-check the "Quick Format" (erase) box, and then try to format, it always gives the message "there is no disk in drive a:, or the door is open." The floppy drive can read these same disks or copy to them just fine. DOS full formats a floppy just fine. Since DOS can do a full format, seems unlikely that it's the drive or the disks. Could it be possible that the file(s) that control formatting the a: drive are corrupted or missing in BOTH versions of windows? Seems pretty unlikely? Any suggestions on which files to look at or replace? I extracted the format.com from the CD into the Win 98, but made no difference there. Didn't try in XP yet.

Hi peg, You seem to have your thinking straight. Like you, I think it's unlikely in the extreme that it's the FDD, since it works in DOS. AFAIK, format.com requires no ext DLL or whatnot. Good luck If at first you don't succeed, you're about average. M2

I have often had problems formatting a floppy from within Windows, but dropping out to DOS has formatted the floppy perfectly. I put it down to a timing problem with Windows. If the disk is less than perfect and the format has to do a few re-tries Windows, being multi-tasking OS, gives up and gives you the error message. I think it is something you are going to have to live with. XP makes if difficult because there is no DOS in XP. But then my XP machine doesn't even have a floppy drive so the problem doesn't arise. Stuart

Thanks Mechanix2Go & StuartS, Do you or anyone know if the files or process used by Windows (in this case XP and 98) are the same as used by DOS, or at least from the command prompt - when you execute Format (Format.com, I assume). If Windows ultimately uses this same file to do the formatting on a floppy as DOS (and DOS formats a floppy OK), but the way Windows calls / gets to this file(s), then the problem likely is with some other file in Windows. But again, seems highly unlikely that both XP and Win 98 would have the same problem doing a full format in A:\. Windows will do a Quick Format on A:\. Any suggestions where else to look for info on this problem, aside from MS site?

I have to go along with StuartS. It sounds to me like a possible timing problem or some other compatibility problem between Win98 and your motherboard/floppy controller. If it's really a serious nuisance, I would 'try' replacing it and the cable. It wouldn't cost that much.

Formatting a diskette from the Windows (98) menu does not involve the DOS format command. Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is not more a science than a heap of stones is a home

I also had the same problem and found by removing and reinstalling the device from the device manager that I was now able to complete the task