Computer drive problems

[dhud64]

I have windows xp home edition. Up until recently, I've always been able to drag and drop files to my CD/RW drive and down load them. Then, for some reason I could play a CD in that drive but it would not record. It would act like it's copying but would then say that it encountered a problem, and fails. <br />Well, I had a new CD/RW drive installed and it still does the same thing unless I use the Nero software that came with the new drive. Whaz up with that? Could this unknown problem be affecting my floppy drive? From time to time I'll put a formatted floppy in, and after a loooong delay, it will ask if I want to format the floppy? Well NO, there's already information on the floppy, I just want to open it. <br /><br />Any ideas? Are the problems related, and windows based?? <br /><br />HELP, PLEASE!!!

 

[rwise]

Re: Computer drive problems

Floppy disk die, they are unreliable to say the least. And quality is very low, I throw disks in the trash can every day. If the disk was formated and written by another drive it may not read at all in your drive. So, I would say it is unrelated to the cd problem. I have not used Nero, some one that has should pick up this thread..........

 

[Cranky18]

Re: Computer drive problems

Does the Nero software open when you drag and drop? I have Nero on my PC and when I copy files to CD it automatically opens. You could try uninstalling Nero and see if it works as before.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Computer drive problems

Get a can of compressed air and stick the thin nozzle into the floppy disk slit and blow out the dust and then try it. Happens all the time. Same for CD drives, vent openings, etc. Blow out the dust...<br /><br />Ok, to drag and drop to a CD/RW you need software that supports that method of recording like Roxio drag-to-disk which is part of "CD Creator" now called "Media Creator". You may have once had it loading at startup and somehow removed it (check icons in the system tray). Read through the help file with the CD creation software you have to find out how to fix it. I think Nero supports that method too but you have to start in manually or set it up to load at startup.<br /><br />If you are having a general problem recording, regardless of method, check that you are using good quality CD-R, CD-RW, etc., that are compatible with your drive. Cheap CDs are often junk - I've seen failures as high as 1 in 3 with the generics...

 

[dhud64]

Re: Computer drive problems

Nero does open automaticaly when I put a disk in the cdrw drive.<br /><br />I think I'll try the dust removal too. <br /><br />Thanks, we'll se what happens!

 

[Whatthe]

Re: Computer drive problems

just a question did you install any software sence the last time it worked? alot of times you can install progrems that fight with each other and problems come up try going back to last known time it worked.

 

[dhud64]

Re: Computer drive problems

Originally posted by Whatthe:<br /> just a question did you install any software sence the last time it worked? alot of times you can install progrems that fight with each other and problems come up try going back to last known time it worked.

Not that I can think of. If canned air doesn't work, I may back everything up and run the recovery disc and reload everything.

 

[Whatthe]

Re: Computer drive problems

Try uninstall nero before you go through all the trouble of reinstall<br />It looks like nero has taken over

 

[dhud64]

Re: Computer drive problems

Originally posted by Whatthe:<br /> Try uninstall nero before you go through all the trouble of reinstall<br />It looks like nero has taken over

That wouldn't affect the floppy drive would it?

 

[Whatthe]

Re: Computer drive problems

If things are back to normal after uninstalling Nero and you whant to use nero reload nero and get program updates (new drivers)I have about 10 disks of nero going back at least two years for me they are just coasters

 

[Whatthe]

Re: Computer drive problems

No<br />nero loads drivers and it self probaly at statup <br />when you uninstall nero it should remove all drivers reboot and you should be ok.

 

[dhud64]

Re: Computer drive problems

I did uninstall Nero and my CD/RW works fine. But, still no workie on the floppy. Oh, also I cleaned with dry air, the drives and inside of the computer. Had LOTS of dust caked into some fins behind a fan. Should have helped something out!

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Computer drive problems

A couple of questions....<br /><br />Are you running your IDE channels in the UDMA mode??<br />(if this is Greek, let me know)<br /><br />Can you boot the machine using a boot floppy??

 

[Whatthe]

Re: Computer drive problems

Have you thought about getting a new floppy drive? (cheap now days <$10)<br />Iwould think your floppy drive is bad.<br />I had a new one on my last rebuild that would not work and for the price I just bought another and got one that works.

 

[aanda6]

Re: Computer drive problems

When you install nero make sure not to install INCD. This is the worst piece of software invented and will cause conflicts on drag and drop. You do not need to uninstall nero just go to control panel and select remove INCD. this should help fiz the problem.

 

[rwise]

Re: Computer drive problems

You might try a cleaning disk in the floppy, put the fluid on it and run it 3 or 4 times then try to read a disk. Also take a new disk and try to format it, then (if that works) put a file on it and try to read that file. If the inside was dirty so is the inside of the floppy drive and sometimes duster (or other spray can cleaner) will not get the dust off of the heads. But by the time you have done all this you could have put in a new drive!

 

[bkwarford]

Re: Computer drive problems

My two cents...<br /><br />Since you have opened the case and blown the dust out and possibly moved wires (cables) around to get the dust out. It might be time to open the case once more and check (recheck) that the ribbon cable and power cables are firmly attached to the floppy drive. I've seen drives that just needed the ribbon cable disconnected then reconnected (reseated) for a proper connection. If other people have looked at the pc I'd also suggest you check for bent pins on the drive.<br /><br />Next I would go into the BIOS and check if the BIOS recognizes the floppy drive and the setting is proper for it (1.44MB). Some ribbon cables have 2 connectors so you might try using the second ribbon cable connector.<br /><br />Also... As pc's get older the power supply gets older and some have more than 1 floppy drive power connector so test the second power connector. <br /><br />And lastly, as stated above some floppy media are trashed easily so test other floppy disk just to be sure its the drive and not cause of bad media. <br /><br />Magnets can erase floppy disk so keep the spare floppy disk away from the speakers, monitor cases, etc...<br /><br />Best of luck.

 

[dhud64]

Re: Computer drive problems

Originally posted by Xcusme:<br /> A couple of questions....<br /><br />Are you running your IDE channels in the UDMA mode??<br />(if this is Greek, let me know)<br /><br />Can you boot the machine using a boot floppy??

Yup that's Greek to me!!! All of it!

 

[dhud64]

Re: Computer drive problems

Whoa, hold everything. I must have had multiple bad floppies I kept trying different ones and then got to some that work.<br />Strange......<br />Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it!

 

[nitedmn]

Re: Computer drive problems

Get rid of the floppy and either use cds or a usb memory card (also knows as a "Jump drive"). Some of the biggest memory cards can hold about the same amount of info as 800 floppy disks. You can buy the smaller cards (128 and 256 MB) for under $20.<br /><br />Floppy disks are VERY unreliable and I find that most stuff I need to put onto a disk won't even fit on one. The only reason I have a floppy drive in my computers is to fill the hole.<br /><br />Oh... I'm not sure how old your computer is but if you don't have a USB port you can get a USB controler (which will add the ports) for around $20.