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How to Dual Format a Diskette for IBM & Macintosh
 

  You can format a diskette to allow it to be used on both IBM and Macintosh computers.

Note 1: You cannot take a diskette that is already in PC/IBM format and then Macintosh format on top of it. All IBM formatting will be erased or an error “Disk initialization failed because the disk is defective” will occur.

Note 2: Do not format a diskette that contains files you have already saved on it; formatting will erase all of your saved files.
   
To Format a Disk for Macintosh and PC/IBM computers:
  (Use an unformatted diskette - never IBM formatted)
First - The diskette must be Macintosh formatted/initalized (‘Initialized’ is another word for formatted in Macintoshese).
The Macintosh formatting instruction file is Mac-Format-Copy-Diskette.pdf. You can find this file in the instruction racks outside of GL 315 - or if it is not there - ask a lab assistant in GL 315 for it. You can also find the instruction file at this URL - http://ariel.carlow.edu/infosys/software/Macintosh/Mac-Format-Copy-Diskette.pdf - on the Carlow Intranet.

Second - You can then add the IBM formatting.
1. After the diskette is Macintosh formatted, put the diskette into the diskette drive bay of an IBM compatible computer.
2. Open Windows Explorer by left-clicking Start, Programs, Windows Explorer in menu.
3. Left-click 3 ½ Floppy (A:) drive icon. Windows message “The disk in drive A:\ is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?” appears in dialog box.
4. Left-click Yes button to start formatting process.
 
   
  5. In ‘Format – 3 ½ Floppy (A:)’ screen, click Full to indicate Format type. Click Start button to start formatting process.
 
   
 

6. When the disk is done formatting, you will see ‘Format Results – 3 ½ Floppy (A:)’ screen.
7. Left-click Close button and you will go back to the ‘Format – 3 ½ Floppy (A:)’ screen.
 
   
  8. Left-click Close button in this screen to finish.