ERROR: A:\ is not accessible. The volume does not contain a recognized file system.
The message " A:\ is not accessible. The volume does not contain a recognized file system. Please make sure that all required file system drivers are loaded and that the volume is not corrupt." or " A:\ is not accessible. The device is not ready." or " Disk is not formatted" means that Windows cannot read the disk in the A: drive. The same would apply to other drive letters.
This message may appear if the disk in the disk drive is not properly formatted, if the formatting is not compatible with your operating system, if the data or disk is damaged, or if the floppy drive, CD-ROM, DVD or other external device is not functioning.
If there are files that you need already on the diskette you will probably not be able to access them from the floppy drive that has given you that message. The best diagnostic is to try to find a machine that uses the same operating system that originally created the files, or just a different machine. If you can read the files on that other machine then the files are probably good and there is just a conflict between formats. It is also possible that the disk has become corrupted and the files will not be readable. If you are using an external device you can trying borrowing from another person.
Troubleshooting steps:
Remove the disk if you can.
Shut down and power off your machine.
If the machine has an external device disconnect it.
Unplug the machine.
If it has a removeable battery, remove the battery.
Wait 30 seconds then restore the battery and power cord.
Don't connect anything else unless you need it to operate the machine.
Restart your machine to the log on screen.
Shut down and power off.
Reconnect the device and try your disk again.
If you get the error again continue with the troubleshooting below. (Note don't skip steps - powering up without the device is required to reset the device status).
If there is data you are trying to read from the disk click here for the next step.
If you are trying to write to a new disk click here for the next step.
Also review document 39058 — How to troubleshoot floppy drive problems or 39040 — Troubleshooting CD-ROM problems
If there is data you are trying to read from the disk:
1. Try reading the disk on another machine or borrowed floppy drive.
2. If putting the disk in another machine did not work, check the origin of your disk.
Make sure the disk was created with a compatible file format. If the disk was not created by a PeopleSoft machine, find out the operating system of the machine that created the disk. Floppy disks created by older machines may not be readable by Windows NT or Windows 2000. Windows will not read Mac disks. You may need to try to find a machine with the same operating system that created the disk.
If available try transfering the files from the machine that could read them to your machine using a mapped share drive, or email. For information on mapping a share drive see document 50003 — How to map a drive letter.
3. If putting the disk in another machine did not work and you are sure the file formats are compatible then most likely the disk is bad. You will need to try to get the files from another source.
If you are trying to write to a new disk
If you do not need any files on the disk, but wish to use the disk to store data you can reformat the disk with the correct format type. The process will wipe out any files that may exist on the diskette. For instructions on formatting a floppy diskette see document 39038 — How to format a floppy diskette. If you get the same error message then click here for the next step.
If your disk worked in a different machine and both machines use the same operating system:
You will want to see if there is a problem with your disk drive. Format a new disk, write some files to it, and then try to read them. For instructions on formatting a floppy diskette see document 39038 — How to format a floppy diskette. If that works then there was just some small incompatiblity with that one disk.
If you continue to get errors then open a NorthStar ticket to make an appointment for service. Be sure to include your contact number. Describe the problem in detail, especially the steps you took to try to correct the problem. You will be contacted by the appropriate party. For more information on creating the NorthStar ticket, see Eureka! document 39068 — How to submit a computer or peripheral for repair.
Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2001
All rights reserved.
Created: db 10/07/1999
Revised: db 12/22/2003