Olds College Library

Using Floppy disks

About Floppy Disks

  1. floppy disks Floppy disks is a tool for moving small files from computer to computer and to keep backup copies of your data. However, there are some things to keep in mind when using them.
  2. Floppies are VERY susceptible to damage: heat, cold, moisture, static electricity, magnetism, mechanical failure, dropping them, sitting on them, etc.
  3. Floppies can only contain 1.44 MB of data. This is about 4 or 5 small Word documents, or even just one large one. Don’t expect them to hold very many pictures or even one PowerPoint presentation.
  4. Working directly on a floppy disk is not only very slow; it is extremely susceptible to data loss and/or damage to the floppy. Floppies should be used primarily for data backup and transfer, not for actually working on.
  5. NEVER assume that if a floppy disk worked fine on one computer last time, even a few minutes ago, that it will work again on another computer, or even the same computer. Floppy drives can be very different mechanically and some do not respond well to certain varieties of floppy disks. Also, because floppies are so susceptible to damage, a disk that may have been fine may become damaged very quickly.
  6. The old saying, "You get what you pay for" is very true when it comes to floppy disks. The cheaper they are, the more likely they are to fail.

How to Use Floppy Disks

floppy disks
  1. ALWAYS keep more than one copy of a disk at any given time. Try to keep them separate so they both don’t get damaged. You never know when they are going to fail.
  2. Keep the disks in something that will protect them from mechanical damage, falls, heat, etc. For example, a plastic case or folders made for floppies.
  3. Be sure to always insert the disk correctly into the computer’s floppy drive.
  4. NEVER remove a floppy while the light on the floppy drive is ON (green), even if Windows seems to be finished with it. Close any windows that may be using the disk’s files before removing it.
  5. Don’t overuse a floppy disk. The more times that the floppy is used to read/write data, the greater its chances for failure.
  6. Use floppy disks for backup and transport of files only, not for everyday use. Use the H drive for your important work because this network drive is backed up every night.
  7. Do not continue to use a floppy if you have even one problem with it. The chances of it failing are great.
  8. Purchase the best quality disk you can find. The "Cool Disks" may be "cool" but they are not of the best quality.

Fixing Floppy disks

  1. There may occasionally be times that you’ve followed all the precautions for the use of a floppy disk (or maybe not!) and the inevitable happens…the computer cannot read the disk at all and/or it has difficulty reading a particular file or files. This indicates that there is damage to the disk and/or files. You may be able to recover your data by trying some or all of the following techniques:
  2. Insert the floppy correctly
  3. Open up the floppy drive in Windows Explorer
  4. Try to copy the questionable file onto the Desktop and try to open it – usually works for mildly damaged files.
  5. If you are able to copy the file, but not able to open it, try to rename the file(s) to a short name and try to open it again – sometimes works for corrupt or damaged Microsoft Office files.
  6. Try to fix the disk by running a Scandisk – usually works for mildly to moderately damaged files and/or disks:
    1. Start – Programs – Accessories – System Tools – Scandisk
    2. Select the floppy drive (A :)
    3. Do a Thorough Check and check to Automatically Fix Errors
    4. Start – when completed read details and try to open the floppy again.