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SECTION 2
What is a Floppy Disk?
A floppy disk is a medium for storing programs or data. This item explains basic knowledge
and precautions regarding floppy disks.
Types of floppy disks
If floppy disks are classified according to the amount of data they can store (the memory capacity),
typically there are 2 types.
• 2HD floppy disks
These have 1.44MB (megabyte: unit of data
amount) and 1.2MB memory capacities.
• 2DD floppy disks
These have 720KB (kilobyte) memory ca-
pacities, half of the 2HDs.
The differences between the 2 kinds of
floppy disks are shown in the diagram on
the right.
3 mode drive
This computer’s floppy disk drive is a 3 mode drive that can read 1.44MB, 1.2MB and 720KB
memory capacity floppy disks. Therefore it can read nearly all floppy disks. However, when
exchanging data with another computer, you have to be careful if the other computer’s floppy disk
drive is not a 3 mode drive. For example, if the other computer can read 1.2MB floppy disks but
not 1.44MB floppy disks, you have to enter the data after putting it into 1.2MB format in advance
with this computer.
Critical Point
Some floppy disks cannot be read by this computer, depending on the floppy disk format.
2HD
2DD
HD mark or no mark
Hole or no hole
