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Q103547: Error Message Formatting Blank Disk: Drive Not Ready

Article: Q103547
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.0,5.0a,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 22-NOV-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
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SYMPTOMS
========

The FORMAT command may report "Drive not ready" if you try to format an
unformatted disk in drive B after you access an empty drive A. The same problem
occurs if you access an empty drive B and then try to format a disk in drive A.

NOTE: If the floppy disk has been previously formatted, the FORMAT command works
correctly.

RESOLUTION
==========

To work around this problem, restart your computer or use the /U (unconditional)
parameter when you format the disk. For example, type "format b: /u" (without
the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in MS-DOS versions 5.0, 5.0a, 6.0,
and 6.2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: 6.22 5.00 5.00a 6.00 6.20 err msg errmsg

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS500a
Version           : MS-DOS:5.0,5.0a,6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

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