[REQUEST] How to use a USB floppy drive with Windows 10

[~Wendy~]

I'm attempting to extract photos from an old camera that used 1.44Mb floppy diskettes to either a Windows 10 or Kali Linux machine (I have both).

Both OS recognize the drive but will not show files or their structure-only that it cannot read the disk.

"Disk media is not recognized, it may not be formatted"

The read/write notch is in the unlocked position on the diskette.

I have researched this fully online to no avail. Can you advise?

 

[fincoder]

More than likely it's simply a degraded disk. The last few times I attempted transfer of data from floppies, only about 2 out of 10 disks were still readable.

 

[~Wendy~]

In the camera, they read beautifully. Clean, quick.

 

[Altster]

In the camera, they read beautifully. Clean, quick.

Well then copy the pictures directly from the camera if the camera has the ability. Like via USB.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It may use proprietary format

 

[allanc]

It may use proprietary format

Good point.
Does the OP have access to the manual (paper copy or online) that may mention the technical specs of the storage?

 

[fincoder]

OK, it seems Windows 10 doesn't support the FAT filesystem (FAT12) used on floppy discs. Try on a Windows 7 computer.

 

[Altster]

Here is a good youtube video that talks about the various Mavica cameras.

It's well worth the watch -

 

[nlinecomputers]

OK, it seems Windows 10 doesn't support the FAT filesystem (FAT12) used on floppy discs. Try on a Windows 7 computer.

NO not correct. http://www.thewindowsclub.com/use-floppy-disk-windows-10

 

[nlinecomputers]

It also may be an alignment problem. The disks may be out of alignment and are not writing the information in the correct spot. So it works ONLY on the camera.

 

[Markverhyden]

Have you tested the USB floppy drive with other FDD's?

 

[glricht]

It also may be an alignment problem. The disks may be out of alignment and are not writing the information in the correct spot. So it works ONLY on the camera.

Exactly what I was thinking. Back in the days when floppies were used a lot, it wasn't unusual for floppies written by one device to not be readable by another device due to misalignment of the write heads on the original device.

 

[Rosco]

this brings me back i have an old sony digital camera. My first actaully that used floppys. I loved it. I actaully have it hanging on my mantle in my office with all my other treasures i have collected over the years.

 

[fincoder]

NO not correct.

OK sorry, it appears that Windows 10 drops support for FAT12 on any devices except floppy drives. It's quite difficult to find info on whether FAT12 is supported, and your linked article doesn't mention any filesystem. Are floppies are always FAT12? If so then you're right, floppy discs are still supported on Windows 10.

It'd be interesting to try it on a Windows 7 computer though.

 

[TurricanII]

I would try my favourite - FTK imager free. Install it, add the floppy drive and see if it will list the images

 

[~Wendy~]

This camera is a Mavica 'quick access FD drive' that has a handy sticker that says it supports 'email' whatever that means. There are no ports available only a place to screw into a tripod.

@Altster GREAT video. At 13:11 it explains that the disk needs to go into a computer with a native floppy controller and won't work anywhere else even in the USB floppy that I've been attempting. That is why I won't be able to get those photos off conventionally.

I'm not ready to give up yet so I dragged out an old xp desktop and will try it on that.

 

[Ktex]

Perhaps this program might help:
https://www.runtime.org/data-recovery-software.htm
Comes in two versions, for NTFS and FAT32, usually if windows or the BIOS can see the drive, the program works, even if windows wants to reformat. I have had success with NTFS but never had a chance to use FAT32.

 

[Altster]

I'm not ready to give up yet so I dragged out an old xp desktop and will try it on that.

Good luck. Here's hoping you'll be able to retrieve those pictures.

 

[nlinecomputers]

This camera is a Mavica 'quick access FD drive' that has a handy sticker that says it supports 'email' whatever that means. There are no ports available only a place to screw into a tripod.

@Altster GREAT video. At 13:11 it explains that the disk needs to go into a computer with a native floppy controller and won't work anywhere else even in the USB floppy that I've been attempting. That is why I won't be able to get those photos off conventionally.

I'm not ready to give up yet so I dragged out an old xp desktop and will try it on that.

That sounds like it is a proprietary format. Even in XP with a regular FDD it will need drivers to read it.

 

[Markverhyden]

From what I remember those Mavica's used a standard 1.44 floppy and they are formated FAT. Have a hard time believing that a USB FDD will not work. I've used a USB FDD to read ancient Apple OS FDD's on a new system. My vote is there is an issue with the drive that was used or the disks may be toast. If it was me I'd try the following with just one FDD.

Download and install R-Studio trial version. Then scan the patient. You should be able to see files.

The link below discusses a similar situation as the OP.

http://photo.net/digital-darkroom-forum/00SOxF?start=10