This sounds like a CMOS/BIOS problem. Apparently the laptop is trying to
format a 1.2MB 5.25" floppy. See if you can get into setup and
(1)See what the stats are for the floppy drive.
 (2)Change to a 1.44 3.5" floppy if that's the problem. Good luck.
****************************************************************************
**************************************
While formating a floppy disk from the laptop a message like "checking
existing format 1.2 M" appears could this have something to do with it? In
that case why can't modern day floppy drives access a 1.2 MB drive?.

            Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to
                    Digest mode - visit our web site:
                    http://nospin.com/pc/pcbuild.html