---
title: "QL Microdrive Formatter"
type: "article"
slug: "ql-microdrive-formatter"
url: "http://localhost/article/ql-microdrive-formatter/"
markdown_url: "http://localhost/article/ql-microdrive-formatter.md"
published_at: "2026-03-14T13:36:10+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-14T13:36:10+00:00"
featured_image:
  url: "http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20230809-041332.jpg"
excerpt: "A short QL SuperBASIC program that automatically formats two microdrive cartridges (one in each drive) for a user-specified number of times. Repeated formatting removes 'stretch' from new cartridges and conditions the tape surface, increasing capacity and long-term reliability. Experienced QL users recommend formatting new cartridges 10 times."
category:
  - name: "Timelinez"
    slug: "timelinez"
    taxonomy: "category"
    url: "http://localhost/category/periodicals/timelinez/"
post_tag:
  - name: "QL"
    slug: "ql"
    taxonomy: "post_tag"
    url: "http://localhost/tag/ql/"
  - name: "Type-in program"
    slug: "type-in-program"
    taxonomy: "post_tag"
    url: "http://localhost/tag/type-in-program/"
model:
  - name: "Sinclair QL"
    slug: "sinclair-ql"
    taxonomy: "model"
    url: "http://localhost/model/sinclair-ql/"
indiv:
  - name: "Bill Russell"
    slug: "bill-russell"
    taxonomy: "indiv"
    url: "http://localhost/indiv/bill-russell/"
publication_r:
  id: 21571
  title: "Timelinez"
  type: "periodical"
  url: "http://localhost/periodical/timelinez/"
authors_r:
  - name: "Bill Russell"
    slug: "bill-russell"
    taxonomy: "indiv"
    url: "http://localhost/indiv/bill-russell/"
volume: "4"
issue: "4"
issues_articles:
  - id: 38833
    title: "Timelinez v4 n4"
    type: "issue"
    url: "http://localhost/issue/timelinez-v4-n4/"
pages: "4"
pubdate: "April 1986"
archive_link: false
---

A short QL SuperBASIC program that automatically formats two microdrive cartridges (one in each drive) for a user-specified number of times. Repeated formatting removes ‘stretch’ from new cartridges and conditions the tape surface, increasing capacity and long-term reliability. Experienced QL users recommend formatting new cartridges 10 times.