Disklavier Disk Re-Formatting:
Customers with older Disklaviers may get an "unformatted disk" error indication from their Disklavier when inserting a newly purchased disk. Older Disklavier pianos used the original type of 3.5" floppy disks, referred to as "DD" for double-density. These disks hold 720 kilobytes of data and are distinguished physically by having a single square hole in the corner of the disk.
Over time, the computer industry moved to a higher capacity 3.5" floppy disk referred to as "HD" for high-density. These disks hold 1440 kilobytes of data and have two square holes, one in each upper corner. While these HD disks will physically fit in a DD drive, they return a "unformatted disk" error message when inserted.
Blank DD disks are now no longer available in the quantity and quality needed by a manufacturer such as Yamaha. The major computer industry manufacturers have stopped producing them due to relatively small demand. This led to Yamaha's decision to produce all newly manufactured Disklavier titles on HD disks. Some DD formatted disks remain in the inventory of Yamaha and their primary US distributor, Hal Leonard (our supplier). Unfortunately, the disk packages are not marked on the outside, so neither Yamaha, Hal Leonard or All Music Methods knows which packages may contain DD or HD product, or whether any DD product remains in inventory.
We offer a free service to our customers to convert newly purchased Disklavier disks from HD to DD for use on older pianos. When you order disks from All Music Methods, let us know on our checkout screen that you have an older piano and need the disks converted. If you're not sure, tell us the model number of your Disklavier (usually on the front panel of your control module. We'll check our inventory by opening your disks, and have any disks converted that need it, and then have them shipped to you.