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1. My diskette has errors on it and my data cannot be accessed. Why?
2. Will the X-Ray machine at airports damage my Floppy Disks?
3. What is the difference between a DD and an HD diskette?
4. What is the expected life of a 3.5" HD/DD diskette?
5. Why will a 2MB diskette only hold 1.44MB of data?
6. What is the best way to handle, store, and label Diskettes?

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1. My diskette has errors on it and my data cannot be accessed. Why?
Diskette data can be damaged by a variety of factors such as:
A. Debris on the drive head when the file was written or read.
B. High temperature or humidity during storage or writing.
C. Malfunctioning software when the file was written or read.
D. Power fluctuations when the file was written.
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2. Will the X-ray machine at airports damage my Floppy Disks?
The X-ray machines at airports in the US will not harm data stored on a diskette; outside the US it is unknown. The metal detectors at airports have the possibility of altering the information stored on your floppies due to the magnetic field generated by the system. You should either allow them to pass through the baggage x-ray system or have them inspected by hand.
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3. What is the difference between a DD and an HD diskette?
Double-density diskettes (DD) are generally used in word processors and older computer systems and have a total formatted capacity of 720KB. High-density diskettes (HD) are used in newer computer systems and hold a total formatted capacity of 1.44MB—double the capacity of a DD diskette.
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4. What is the expected life of a 3.5" HD/DD diskette?
The life expectancy of a 3.5" HD/DD diskette is highly dependent on the storage conditions. Under controlled temperatures, humidity and dust conditions the diskette should last forever. Storing an area where temperatures are fairly constant (60 to 80 degrees F.), humidity that is controlled and in a storage box so dust doesn't collect on them should not be a problem.
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5. Why will a 2MB diskette only hold 1.44MB of data?
Out of the box, an unformatted diskette has a capacity of 2MB. However, when you format the disk, you use some of that space to create a FAT (File Allocation Table) on the diskette. This is the area that is reserved to store file names and also to store information about where on the diskette the information is stored. Without the FAT, you would not be able to retrieve your saved data.
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6. What is the best way to handle, store, and label Diskettes?
Diskettes are more vulnerable to the environment and what we do to them than CDs. This means they need extra attention and care to keep your data safe.
Handling and Care
1. DO hold disks on the outer edge.
2. DO store disks upright. The pressure exerted by stacking disks can force the plastic shell against the media surface.
3. DO avoid temperature extremes. Disks should be stored between 32° F - 150° F. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can undermine the chemical composition of the media, leading to data loss.
4. DO mark labels before you stick them on disks. The force of a pen can damage the media surface.
5. DO make two copies of important data. The data on a disk can represent many of work. If the data is critical, make a second copy.
6. DO NOT force a disk into a drive.
7. DO NOT bend disks. This can result in disk failure and permanent data loss.
8. DO NOT open and close the shutter. Opening the shutter exposes the disk to several environmental contaminants causing read/write errors.
9. DO NOT touch the media inside the shell. This can result in errors and data loss.
10. DO NOT expose to moisture or liquid, which can contaminate the disk surface, causing read/write errors.
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