A:/ drive problem

[dhud64]

I have a fairly new computer and rarely use the A drive. It seems to have quit working. It takes forever to try and open a floppy then it says disc not formatted etc... but disc works in other computers?<br />I did a little reading in the Windows XP help files and I think I understand that the A drive work off of SCSI controllers? <br />When I look at device manager the A drive shows no errors, the SCSI/RAID host controller icon has a red x, disabled. When I enable it it turns to a yellow caution icon.<br />Also Intel pro 100ve network connection is disabled.<br /><br />Should both of these items be disabled?<br />Can someone tell me how to check my A drive?

 

[Spidybot]

Re: A:/ drive problem

The floppy is connected to a dedicated interface on the motherboard.<br /><br />Not IDE, not SATA, not SCSI. <br /><br />If it used to work, we assume the ribbon cable & power supply to the drive is fitted correct. Next suspect will be the drive itself - also because XP doesn't point it out as erratic.<br /><br />Modern diskdrives have become failrly cheap, so instead of spending hours++ trying, get a new and replace it.<br /><br />Devices not in use - like a 2nd network adaptor - should be disabled to prevent XP from spending resources (time) trying to control them.

 

[rwise]

Re: A:/ drive problem

dhud64<br />Reseat the ribon cable and blow it out with a can of duster (whateaver brand) then use a cleaning disk on it. I see a lot of cables that have lost conection and dirty drives! Also what one floppy will read another may not.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: A:/ drive problem

One more thought...<br />If you do end up replacing the floppy drive,pay attention to the ribbon connector. Be sure that the red or blue wire on the ribbon cable matches with pin 1 on the floppy drive connector. If you install the cable backwards, the floppy drive led will be continuously lit when you start the computer,shut down,reverse the cable and reboot. The cables are usually keyed to prevent installing them 180 degrees out of phase, but some are not keyed.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: A:/ drive problem

I agree with UU. If the drive itself is bad, it's cheap to replace (20 or 30 bucks). It also easy to do. The ribbon cable probably only plugs in one way but just remember that the red strip on the ribbon cable should be closest to the power cable.

 

[Lund86]

Re: A:/ drive problem

Get one of these I have one and it works fine. $5.99 plus shipping<br /> http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-103-202&depa=0

 

[Spidybot]

Re: A:/ drive problem

It goes without saying, that once the box is open you check if the connectors are in place and ok. Take them off, put them on and check if it works.<br /><br />Regarding the ribbon it's important that it is not twisted. As mentioned the marked edge should be at the pin 1 side but only if it's fitted so on the motherboard. When you detach the old drive make a note of the ribbon, check pin 1 position and just make sure you fit it the same way on the new drive.

 

[dhud64]

Re: A:/ drive problem

Thanks for all of the advice! I pulled the cover off, eeeeeegggggggggaaaaaadddddddds! That thing was DIRTY! I blew it out, re-fitted the connections and gave it a try. Same deal....But, I got to playing around, the floppys that wont work were created on my computer at work. other floppys seem to work fine!<br />That's the sheets, if I cant bring work home on a floppy! Must be a sign? <br />Thanks for the help!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: A:/ drive problem

EDIT: Did you edit your post?

 

[dhud64]

Re: A:/ drive problem

Nah, what you been drinkin?<br /><br />Just kidding, yes, I did edit it. You caught me!

 

[jsfinn]

Re: A:/ drive problem

The cheaper the better. Floppy drives really are a dime a dozen and kind of getting to be obsolete. Some new computers don't even ship with floppy dirves.<br /><br />What about floppys you made at home? Do they work?

 

[Spidybot]

Re: A:/ drive problem

As you're running XP the smart solution is a USB Pen Flash RAM. Even the smallest size you can get outperforms disks in both capacity and speed.<br /><br />Take an USB 2.0 over a 1.1 as speed is MUCH better.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: A:/ drive problem

From your description it also could be the drive at work. If the head of the floppy drive does not align correctly with the tracks on the floppy you can have all sort's of errors. What's funny is that if you format the disk on the misalligned drive, the diskette will work with that drive just fine and error in all other drives.<br /><br />Once you find the offending drive just replace it. They are too cheap to repair.<br /><br />- Brian