Caring for Diskettes
3 1/2-inch diskettes are sturdy and reliable but not indestructible.
To avoid damaging your diskettes and losing data, take these
precautions:
Do not remove a diskette or turn off the computer while the
diskette drive LED is on. This light indicates that the computer
is copying data to or from a diskette. If you interrupt this
process, you may destroy data.
Remove all diskettes before you turn off the computer.
Keep diskettes away from dust and dirt. Small particles of dust
or dirt can scratch the magnetic surface and destroy data. Dust
can also ruin the read/write heads in a diskette drive.
Keep diskettes away from magnetic fields. (Remember, diskettes
store data magnetically; strong magnetic fields can scramble
that data.) Don’t set your diskettes on such common magnetic
sources as electrical appliances, telephones, television sets, and
loudspeakers.
Keep diskettes in a moderate environment. They work best at
room temperature and in normal humidity. Never leave
diskettes sitting in the sun or in extreme cold or heat. The
temperature in a car in the middle of summer or winter can
cause severe damage.
Do not expose a diskette’s magnetic surface by sliding the metal
shutter. Never touch a diskette’s magnetic surface. The oil on
your fingertips can damage it.
Do not place anything on top of your diskettes, and make sure
they do not get bent.
Never wipe, brush, or try to clean diskettes in any way.
Store diskettes properly in diskette containers.
Using
the
Equity LT-286
4-13
