Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!ogicse!orstcs!usenet!ECE.ORST.EDU!daver
From: daver@ECE.ORST.EDU (Dave Rabinowitz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Formatting cheap 3-1/2" floppy
Summary: Track 0 bad - disk unusable
Message-ID: <1991Jan26.015628.15182@usenet@scion.CS.ORST.EDU>
Date: 26 Jan 91 01:56:28 GMT
Sender: @usenet@scion.CS.ORST.EDU
Organization: Oregon State University -- Electrical & Computer Engineering
Lines: 11
Nntp-Posting-Host: ece.orst.edu

I purchased some inexpensive 3-1/2" DSDD floppy disks and when I try to format
them on a PC I get the message:

   Invalid media or Track 0 bad - disk unusable
   Format failure

The same thing happens when I try to format a disk which has been used in a
non-IBM system such as a Macintosh or a computerized theater lighting system.
Is there any software available which can format a disk in this condition?  
I tried PCFORMAT and got the same general message.  The disks work just fine
in a Macintosh and the theater lighting system after failing on a PC.