a drive

My computer is a year old and I have never been able to use my a drive, I
had to do a system restore recently and alas wished i had looked into this
issue earlier as I had nothing back uped.....(luckily not that much on it).

I am using windows xp (home) and I have a Norton anti-virus subscription. I
have brand new floppys. When I go to my computer and right click the a
driver - insert the floppy and then go to format.

The following issues apply either when I try a normal format or a quick
format....I get these type of msg:

Windows is unable for format because the drive is being used by other
utilities, tell me to be sure and close the utilities and to make sure that
no window or contants are being displayed.? I dont understand ? nothing on
disk cuz its new, and other utilities using the drive ?

or I'll get a msg that says windows was unable to complete the format. -
or - tells me to insert disk in drv a-and there is one in the drive, if i
eject then pop it back in - i end up with the other msgs.

I have tried searching to drver updates and the wizard tells me i have the
best version available and suggests i keep.

Sometimes when i pop the disc in i hear a scratching/whirring/? noise and im
thinking something is not hitting quite right in the drive so i'll pop and
the disc and re-insert with a little gusto and then sounds fine (as far a
wierd noises go)

Sorry this is so long but since the restore i really want to fix this so i
can back up - back up - back up....thx

First, check your antivirus software settings as they may be accessing or
trying to access the floppy drive to check for virus as a normal part of
their monitoring.

Second, try clearing the recent documents list. Right click Start, select
Properties, click Customize on the Startup tab, go to the Advanced tab and
under Recent Documents, click "Clear List."

If the above doesn't resolve it, try the following, check to see if the
floppy drive is listed first in the boot sequence in the system BIOS. To
get there, boot the system, usually the first boot screen has a message that
instructs you to hit a specified key if you wish to enter setup. When you
see that message, hit that key. Once in, you'll have to navigate through
the screens until you find the boot sequence. If the floppy drive is first
in line, put the hard drive or CD-ROM first in line. If you also find an
option to tell the system NOT to check the floppy drive on bootup, you might
want to select that as well.

Save, exit, the system will reboot, then check to see if you have the same
issue.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"linda" <wizzabooo@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uKnUIwRZEHA.1000@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> My computer is a year old and I have never been able to use my a drive, I
> had to do a system restore recently and alas wished i had looked into this
> issue earlier as I had nothing back uped.....(luckily not that much on
> it).
>
> I am using windows xp (home) and I have a Norton anti-virus subscription.
> I
> have brand new floppys. When I go to my computer and right click the a
> driver - insert the floppy and then go to format.
>
> The following issues apply either when I try a normal format or a quick
> format....I get these type of msg:
>
> Windows is unable for format because the drive is being used by other
> utilities, tell me to be sure and close the utilities and to make sure
> that
> no window or contants are being displayed.? I dont understand ? nothing
> on
> disk cuz its new, and other utilities using the drive ?
>
> or I'll get a msg that says windows was unable to complete the format. -
> or - tells me to insert disk in drv a-and there is one in the drive, if i
> eject then pop it back in - i end up with the other msgs.
>
> I have tried searching to drver updates and the wizard tells me i have the
> best version available and suggests i keep.
>
> Sometimes when i pop the disc in i hear a scratching/whirring/? noise and
> im
> thinking something is not hitting quite right in the drive so i'll pop and
> the disc and re-insert with a little gusto and then sounds fine (as far a
> wierd noises go)
>
> Sorry this is so long but since the restore i really want to fix this so i
> can back up - back up - back up....thx
>
>

>> never been able to use it <<

With that information, it sounds like it's a hardware problem.

With the help of someone who is familiar with bios settings, opening the
case and making connections, check the following and post the answers
you can back here.

Floppy Drive Activated in BIOS?

Floppy Drive Type (1.4 Meg for 3.5" drive) correct in BIOS?

(turn "floppy seek" on in bios if there and if off)

Floppy Data Cable Hooked UP?

Floppy Data Cable polarity correct?

Floppy Power cable hooked up?

Does Floppy light come on on bootup?

Does Floppy light come on when disk is inserted?


If the answers to the above are yes, the likelyhood is that your floppy
drive is bad... don't panic... new replacements could be as low as $10.

If some are "NO" then they can be addressed or diagnosed when you post
your findings.

There is a slight chance that the motherboard may be the problem, but,
if so, the easiest solution would be to use a usb floppy drive.

Additionally, is there an additional connector on Floppy Data Cable? If
so, it could be that the wrong connector is plugged into the drive.

Hope this helps,
Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]