Windows will somtimes give such a message if it can't read the disk or any portion of it. I sugest your disk reader is in error, the tech. is old afterall. (I dont want to rescue files i want to fix the floppy it self), I understand, it could be entirley software related, in that case your system is not understanding the language, you may need to update. Lots of options, you will need to include more details, as was suggested run the disk on another system, if its the disk you will get the same issue.