What is a B?

Welcome Delta Sigma Pi

  • Accessibility
  • Sales:

    Home:

    1-800-426-7235

    Business:

    1-866-426-0911

    Chat Now >

    Visit Sales Support Page >


    Order Support:

    Order Lookup >

    Visit Order Support Page >

    Technical Support >

Lenovo
All
  • All
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Monitors
  • PC Accessories & Electronics
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Servers Accessories
  • Sign In / Create Account
    My Lenovo Account
    Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and rewards all in one place
    Sign In / Create Account
    Welcome Back!
    Access your order, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile
    View My Account
    Orders
    View & track your orders
    Rewards
    Earn & redeem Rewards
    Profile
    Edit name, password, and account settings
    Wishlist
    Manage a wishlist of your favorite products
    Products
    Manage your devices, accessories
    Product Registration
    Register your product and/or update your warranty dates
    Sign Out
  • My Lenovo Rewards
  • Cart
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Support
  • About Lenovo
  • Deals
  • Student
  • Gaming
  • AI
  • Digital Workplace
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Edge
  • Sustainability
  • TruScale
  • Solutions by Industry
  • Alliance Partners
  • Other Solutions
  • Resources
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
DISCONTINUED
Temporary Unavailable
Cooming Soon!
. Additional units will be charged at the non-eCoupon price. Purchase additional now
We're sorry, the maximum quantity you are able to buy at this amazing eCoupon price is
Sign in or Create an Account to Save Your Cart!
Sign in or Create an Account to Join Rewards
View Cart
Remove
Your cart is empty! Don’t miss out on the latest products and savings — find your next favorite laptop, PC, or accessory today.
item(s) in cart
Some items in your cart are no longer available. Please visit cart for more details.
has been deleted
Please review your cart as items have changed.
of
Contains Add-ons
Subtotal
Proceed to Checkout
Yes
No
Popular Searches
What are you looking for today ?
Trending
Recent Searches
Items
All
Cancel
Top Suggestions
View All >
Starting at
  • Black Friday in July! Limited-time Doorbusters + Buy more, Save more!  Shop Now >

  • My Lenovo Rewards! Earn 3%-9% in rewards and get free expedited delivery on select products. Join for Free >

  • Buy online, pick up select products at Best Buy. Shop Pick Up >

  • Lease-to-own today with Katapult. Get started with an initial lease payment as low as $1! * Learn More >

Home > Glossary > What is a B?
Glossary Hero
Learn More
StarStar

Annual Sale

Lenovo Laptop SaleLenovo Laptop Sale

Laptop Deals

Desktop DealsDesktop Deals

Desktop Deals

Workstation DealsWorkstation Deals

Workstation Deals

StoreStore

Pick Up Today at Best Buy

ControllerController

Gaming PC & Accessory Deals

MouseMouse

PC Accessories & Electronics Deals

MonitorMonitor

Monitor Deals

Tablet and phoneTablet and phone

Tablets & Phones Deals

ServerServer

Server & Storage Deals

Discount tagDiscount tag

Clearance Sale


What is a B drive?

A B drive is typically used to refer to the second removable storage medium in a computer system, following the A drive which usually represents the primary floppy disk drive. In modern systems, the concept of A and B drives has become less common with the shift away from floppy disks to other storage solutions like USB drives and cloud storage.

What was the B drive used for?

Historically, in computer systems, the B drive was frequently designated as a secondary disk drive. It was primarily linked with floppy disk drives, which were a prevalent method of storing and exchanging data in the past. The B drive's role was crucial as it offered supplementary storage capacity and acted as a backup drive, ensuring data security and accessibility.

Is the B drive still used today?

With the decline of floppy disks in the technological landscape and the emergence of modern storage solutions such as USB drives and cloud storage, the traditional concept of a B drive has gradually faded from contemporary computer systems. However, it is worth noting that certain legacy systems or specialized setups have continued to uphold the utilization of the B drive for specific and often unique purposes, showcasing the enduring adaptability of technology across different contexts and generations.

Is the B drive used differently in different operating systems?

The concept and usage of the B drive may vary slightly between different operating systems, but its association with secondary storage devices like floppy disks is generally consistent. However, the specific implementation and management of drive letters may differ depending on the operating system's design and conventions.

Can I boot my computer from a B drive?

In most modern computer systems, booting from a B drive is not supported or recommended due to the decline of floppy disks and the availability of more modern boot devices like hard drives, SSDs, and USB drives. Booting from a B drive is typically associated with legacy systems and configurations.

What are some alternatives to the B drive for storing data?

Several alternatives to the B drive for storing data exist in modern computing environments. USB flash drives, for instance, are compact and portable storage devices that connect to a computer's USB port, making them ideal for transferring and storing data on the go. External hard drives, on the other hand, offer larger storage capacities and are suitable for backing up data or expanding storage space, providing a convenient solution for storing large files or multimedia collections. Network drives, also known as network-attached storage (NAS) devices, offer centralized storage accessible over a network, enabling multiple users or devices to access and share data. Finally, cloud storage services provide a flexible and scalable solution for storing data online, offering features such as remote access, automatic backups, and collaboration tools, making them suitable for both personal and business use cases.

Can I still use floppy disks with a B drive?

If your computer has a floppy disk drive and it is assigned the letter "B," you can still use floppy disks with it, although the use of floppy disks has become increasingly rare due to their limited storage capacity and obsolescence. Floppy disks remain compatible with legacy systems that support them.

How do I format a floppy disk?

To format a floppy disk, you would insert it into a computer with a floppy disk drive and use the operating system's formatting utility. This process erases all data on the disk and prepares it for storing new files.

Were there different sizes of floppy disks, and did they work in the same floppy disk drive?

Yes, there were different sizes of floppy disks. The 3.5-inch and 5.25-inch floppy disks were the most common. However, they were not interchangeable; you needed the appropriate floppy disk drive to read each size.

How can I tell the difference between a 3.5-inch and a 5.25-inch floppy disk?

The 3.5-inch floppy disk is smaller, about the size of a standard postcard, and it's encased in a hard plastic shell. The 5.25-inch floppy disk is larger, around the size of a paperback book, and it's enclosed in a flexible jacket.

How fast were floppy disk drives in terms of data transfer?

Floppy disk drives were relatively slow compared to modern storage devices. It could take several minutes to transfer a full 1.44 MB disk, whereas today's USB drives can transfer gigabytes of data in seconds.

How do universal serial bus (USB) flash drives compare to floppy disks in terms of capacity and convenience?

USB flash drives, also known as thumb drives, offer significantly larger capacities compared to floppy disks. They are available in sizes ranging from a few gigabytes to multiple terabytes, making them ideal for storing large files and data backups. Additionally, USB drives are more convenient and durable since they don't require protective casings like floppy disks.

Looking for a Great Deal?
Shop Lenovo.com for great deals on A+ Education PCs, Accessories, Bundles and more.
Shop Deals Now

  • Legion 7i Gen 9 (16″ Intel) Gaming Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,699.99
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (15ʺ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,127.97
    Learn More
  • Yoga Book 9i (13” Intel)
    Starting at
    $1,999.99
    Learn More
  • Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (14″ Intel) Laptop
    Starting at
    $1,396.49
    Learn More
  • ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 (16″ Intel) Mobile Workstation
    Starting at
    $2,239.00
    Learn More
  • Shop
    • Student Deals
    • K-12 Student Laptops
    • Student Accessories
    • Laptops by Major
    Education resource
    Explore
    • What is STEM?
    • Best Laptops for College
    • Student & Teacher Discounts
    • Lenovo Sustainability Programs
    Education carry case

    Stem Articles
    See All STEM Articles
    • Online STEM Education

    • STEM Career Tips & Resources

    • Women in STEM

    • STEM Educator Training

    • STEM Grants & Funding

    • STEM Education: Coding for Kids

    • STEM Education: Robotics

    • STEM Education: Biotechnology

    • STEM Education: Sustainability

    • STEM Education: AI & ML

    While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this glossary is provided for reference purposes only and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It serves as a general resource for understanding commonly used terms and concepts. For precise information or assistance regarding our products, we recommend visiting our dedicated support site, where our team is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

    Why Lenovo?

    Go Greener with Leno...

    Lenovo is committed to Smarter Climate Action with lower energy laptops, use of sustainable materials and packaging, and available CO2 Offset Services.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Get It Now, Pay For ...

    Lenovo has multiple financing option: the Lenovo Credit Card, installment plans, and lease-to-own financing op...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Productivity & Peace of Mind

    Stay productive with Premium Care Plus - 24/7 priority support and coverage against accidental damage. Power through your day with our Smart Performance and extended battery solutions.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Fast & Secure

    Get the most from your laptop with Lenovo’s state-of-the-art Smart Performance, delivering powerful, all-in-on...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Assistance and Suppo...

    Chat with a trained professional who can help you find the right products, place or check on an order, or setup your Education laptop.
    Contact Us
    pastel background
    Enter email to receive Lenovo marketing and promotional emails. Review our Privacy Statement for more details.
    Please enter the correct email address!
    Email address is required
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Instagram
    Select Country / Region:
    Country
    AndroidIOS

    About Lenovo

    • Our Company
    • News
    • Investors Relations
    • Compliance
    • ESG
    • Product Recycling
    • Product Security
    • Product Recalls
    • Executive Briefing Center
    • Lenovo Cares
    • Careers
    • Formula 1 Partnership

    Products & Services

    • Laptops & Ultrabooks
    • Smarter AI for You
    • Desktop Computers
    • Workstations
    • Gaming
    • Tablets
    • Servers, Storage, & Networking
    • Accessories & Software
    • Services & Warranty
    • Product FAQs
    • Outlet
    • Deals
    • Lenovo Coupons
    • Cloud Security Software
    • Windows 11 Upgrade

    Resources

    • Legion Gaming Community
    • Lenovo EDU Community
    • Lenovo Pro Community
    • Lenovo Pro for Business
    • My Lenovo Rewards
    • Lenovo Financing
    • Lenovo Trade-in
    • Affiliate Program
    • Affinity Program
    • Employee Purchase Program
    • Lenovo Partner Hub
    • Laptop Buying Guide
    • Where to Buy
    • Glossary

    Customer Support

    • Contact Us
    • Policy FAQs
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Information
    • Order Lookup
    • Register a Product
    • Replacement Parts
    • Technical Support
    • Forums
    • Provide Feedback
    © 2025 Lenovo. All rights reserved.
    PrivacyCookie Consent ToolSite MapTerms of UseExternal Submission PolicySales terms and conditionsAnti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    Compare  ()
    x
    Call

    Need Help? Call: 

    1-800-426-7235
    Select Your Store
    Add items to your cart?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in the new store?
    No Yes. Add in Lenovo Pro