a:\ is not accessible

[Andy T]

My floppy drive has suddenly become inaccessible with the
above message and "incorrect function". I can find KB
references to this error message for CD/DVD drives but
not a:\ Recently installed Norton Anti-Spam 2004 and
quickly uninstalled it after it crashed XP:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/34d620401eba7
81c88256d8e0076b295/ab59a5ef2227d6f3ca256dab0020be84?
OpenDocument&prod=Norton%20AntiSpam&ver=2004%20for%
20Windows%202000/Me/98/XP&src=sg&pcode=nas&svy=&csm=no
I suspect NAS04 as the culprit but can't prove it.
Doesn't much matter but I need the floppy back. I have
uninstalled the hardware, rebooted XP and allowed it to
reinstall the floppy: no joy. Anybody any ideas.
Thanks, Andy

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Andy,

Easiest way to tell if the floppy drive is bad: Insert a boot floppy and
start the system - if it boots the floppy ok, then the problem lies within
Windows. If it does not, then the problem lies within the floppy drive or
the controller. Check the bios detection settings, and make sure cabling has
not come loose. If you recently worked on the system, make sure you put the
floppy cable back in the right orientation.

Some suggestions if the problem lies within Windows:

First, open Device Manager (Control Panel/System/Advanced tab) and remove
all instances of the floppy drive from the floppy disk branch and all
instances of the floppy drive controller from its branch. Then restart
normally and allow those devices to be redetected/reinstalled.

Make sure that your antivirus program is not causing the issue by opening it
and disabling any lines designed to protect or autoread floppies.

If these steps don't help, then it is likely that the floppy drive needs to
be replaced. You might also read this:

Floppy Disk is Not Accessible, Not Formatted, or Not Recognized by Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=140060

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone