How to Format a Floppy Disk on Mac

The SuperDisk system has a fascinating history that dates back to an early 1990s project at Iomega. Although it ceased manufacturing worldwide in 2003, the technology still holds significance today. In this article, we will delve into how to format a floppy disk on your Mac using the SuperDisk LS-120 drive.

Understanding the SuperDisk

The SuperDisk was designed as a high-speed, high-capacity alternative to the traditional 90 mm (3.5 in), 1.44 MB floppy disk. The technology was created by Imation's storage products group and manufactured primarily by Matsushita in 1997. Although it had limited success in North America, the SuperDisk found more acceptance in Asia and Australia with the release of the second-generation SuperDisk LS-240 drive and disk.

The SuperDisk hardware features a unique design that includes a drive eject motor, allowing the disk to be controlled by the computer until its read or writing tasks are complete. A secondary coil keeps the head mechanism aligned parallel with the disk surface, while two voice coil servomotors move the drive heads precisely across the disk.

Formatting a Floppy Disk on Mac

To format a floppy disk on your Mac using the SuperDisk LS-120 drive, you will need to connect the external USB drive to your computer. The drive itself is the same size as a standard 3.5 in floppy drive but uses an ATA interface. You will also require the USB-to-ATA adapter and power supply daughterboard.

Once connected, follow these steps:

1. Open the Disk Utility application on your Mac.

2. Select the SuperDisk LS-120 drive from the list of available drives.

3. Click the 'Erase' button to format the disk.

4. Choose the formatting option that suits your needs, such as FAT16 or HFS+.

The SuperDisk technology may not be widely used today, but its legacy lives on in the world of floppy disks. With the ability to format a floppy disk on your Mac using the SuperDisk LS-120 drive, you can still enjoy the nostalgia of working with these early storage devices.

Format floppy disk mac