How to Perform Floppy Disk Image?

Amy Dennis

Jan 24, 2024 • Filed to: Take Data Backup • Proven solutions

Bootable floppy disks are generally the last option considered to boot the installer on hardware that you cannot boot through other means. Floppy disk images are those files that contain all the contents of a floppy disk in the raw form.

You can not simply copy disk images like a boot.img to floppy drives. Instead, you must use special software or tool to write image files to the floppy disk in raw form.

These disk images are raw representations of the floppy disk. So, you must do a sector copy of the files onto the floppy. You can create floppies from disk images in different ways.

This article guides you on creating floppies from disk images in different ways and on other platforms. Whatever method you use to create the floppies, remember to flip the write-protect tab once you have written them. It will ensure that they are not unintentionally damaged.

Part 1: What is Floppy Disk?

Floppy disk is also known as Floppy. It is a kind of magnetic storage disc used by computers for storing data. It is nothing special, just a magnetic disk inside a plastic case. It helps to transfer data between computers.

People widely used them for file transfer or backup before the early 2000s. Now it is no more in use; other storage devices have replaced it.

A floppy disc image is an exact sector-by-sector second copy of the floppy disc. You can use it to create a backup of a floppy disc.

In addition, floppy disk image files can help to transfer the files from or to virtual machine systems. Floppy disk has the following benefits:

• Portability: Floppy disks are small in size and lightweight. You can easily carry them to different places. You do not have to store them into a separate case as it is pre-enclosed in plastic casing. Moreover, it protects magnetic disks from accidental scratching.
• Compatibility: Floppy disks are very compatible with older systems. Specifically, computers made before the 2000s do not consist of a CD/DVD drive. But they are incompatible with modern storage.
• Cost: Floppy disks are not much expensive. But their manufacturing stopped a long time back; you can not compare their prices with the other storage mediums.
• Write Protection: Floppy disks include a small notch that provides a function called Write Protection. This function makes sure that data will not delete by accidental formatting.
• Booting Disks: You can use floppy disks as a boot disk to save suitable boot programs for it to load. It can also troubleshoot or check memories for various errors.

Part 2: How to Create a Floppy Disk Image?

To read the data from a floppy disk, you should create a disk image that your virtual machine can recognize. The following are steps to create a floppy disk image:

For Mac System

Open Terminal and enter the command mentioned below:

“dd if=/dev/zero bs=1024 count=1440 > ~/Desktop/floppy.fdd”

This command will help you create an image file called floppy.fdd on your Mac's system.

For Windows System

Step 1: Open the Windows virtual machine's configuration. Go to the Hardware option. Then, click on the “Floppy Disk” option.

Step 2: Click on the "Source" drop-down menu. Select the "Choose an image file..." option.

Step 3: Go to the floppy.fdd file on your Desktop, click Open. It will mount the floppy disk image to the Windows as a Floppy disk.

Step 4: Go to the Floppy Disk Drive (A:) and open it. Now, To format the disk, click on OK button.

Step 5: “Format Complete” message will appear on your screen.

Now you can use your floppy disk.

Part 3: How to Create a Hard Disk Image

Wondershare UBackit is an advanced disk image tool that enables you to maintain a disk copy. With this feature, you can quickly back up the stored files or folders on the disk. For instance, suppose that you have a corrupted hard drive or change your system.

In such a case, the Wondershare UBackit disk image feature will resolve all the problems. To proceed to image, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Wondershare UBackit and click on the “Backup & Restore” feature. Next, locate the “Create New” button and click. Now, you can see the “Disk Backup” option. Click it.

Step 2: There is the list of available drives on the screen. Select the drive you want to back up and tap on the “Select” button.

Step 3: Next, select a preferred location to save the disk backup. You can see the list of available drives or external storage. Always remember to analyze that there is enough storage space for the new drive.

Step 4: Click on the “Backup” button and wait for some time. Then the application will display on the screen the progress of the disk backup process.

Step 5: Finally, UBackit will inform about the completion of the Disk Backup process. Now, you can manage, view, and restore the backup from your UBackit dashboard.

Conclusion

With the tips mentioned above, you can convert floppy disk images to whatever Windows edition you use. But, if you feel this task is difficult, use a third-party tool Wondershare UBackit.

It is a quick floppy disk images maker that has a user-friendly interface. You only need to choose the ISO file and select the target USB drive. There are no other complicated settings; with just a single click, you can proceed.