what happens when you format a floppy disk

To write-protect a high-density 3 1/2-inch disk, you slide the tiny latch in the upper-right corner of the disk downward so a small window appears in the corner of the disk.

You can do this by write-protecting the diskmaking it impossible for anyone to copy new files onto the disk or erase files already on it. Occasionally, you may want to guard the files on a disk against accidental erasure or overwriting. (Do not, for example, leave a disk on your dashboard on a hot summer day.) Write-protecting Floppy Disks You should also avoid storing floppy disks in extreme heat. Because the coil for your telephone becomes magnetized every time your phone rings, it's wise to keep disks at least a few inches away from the phone. Magnets lurk in many un-suspected places, including many paper clip holders, some document holders, and various other office accessories. Protecting your disk from magnets may take more vigilance than you realize. Any exposure to magnets can scramble or erase the information recorded on the disk. With all floppy disks, you do need to be wary of magnets. When you insert a 3 1/2-inch disk into a drive, the metal shutter is pushed to the side, exposing the disk's surface so the read/write heads can read and record information.įigure 3.11 Protect Your Disks from Magnets You don't need to worry about accidentally touching or scratching the surface of 3 1/2-inch disks, because the disk remains protected until it is actually inserted into the drive. Zip disks are a bulk option for backup and file storage because of the amount of storage space they offer.

Zip disks are similar to floppies, although they hold 70 times more data and require a separate Zip drive. Here you'll learn the ins and outs of floppy disks.

Floppy disks can be used for a variety of reasons: to move data from one computer to another, to back up small amounts of data, or to pass a file or two to another person.

What happens when you format a floppy disk