FD access/check during Win launch sequence?

[Sans Pam III]

Season's Greetings!

Ref: Win XP Pro/SP2

I have the HDD first in the boot sequence followed by CD-ROM drive, and then
the floppy drive. Something I've just noticed . . . and it may have been
this way forever and a day . . . after the WinXP boot screen and as Windows
begins to start, I hear the floppy drive for a couple of seconds. I suppose
I never noticed it before because it is rather quiet; I do see the floppy
drive light momentarily. I have floppy drive 3rd in BIOS and disabled AV
check of floppy drive.

I have been told that this is not "normal" -- that there should not be a FD
access/check once Windows launches.

In trying to solve this: anti-virus (AVG) is set to NOT scan floppy drive;
AVG, Spybot S & D & Ad-aware scanned; upgraded drivers; latest MS updates;
there are no shortcut links to the FD; a compete search of the registry and
no links to A:\; no startup items linked to A:\; MRU items cleared; BIOS
upgraded; new FD installed, FD cables changed; checked IRQ for conflicts
(none) and a few Win XP configuration settings changed.

Am I searching for a "phantom"? Could this be an endless search for a
solution to a non-problem? LOL

I have found a number of posts that discuss RANDOM floppy drive access (not
my specific problem) and what what some describe as EXCESSIVE floppy drive
checks (I would not call mine excessive) when Windows 2k/XP launches.
(Note: This is NOT the POST boot drive check -- this is after POST as
Windows launches and goes through its start sequence.)

I have another machine with Win 2k and it does the same thing -- FD check as
part of WIndows launch sequence. I never really noticed it before (as with
the Win XP machine).

I did find info on MS site that the Windows launch sequence does include
detection of installed hardware but it does not describe how "detection" is
accomplished. In any case, I noticed that my keyboard LEDs would flash
momentarily and then in about 2 seconds the FD would be accessed. It fits
the detection sequence as outlined by MS -- that is, the keyboard is checked
before the FD.

I finally came to the conclusion that I may be chasing a phantom, a
non-problem! I have spend many hours on this already. I used the
opportunity to upgrade component drivers and the system BIOS as well.

Now, I am not a tech -- far from it. Which is to say that I know a little
and with a little (dangerous) knowledge, I could be way out in the boonies
on a wild goose chase.

I would appreciate your comments about this FD access during Windows 2k/XP
launch sequence. Call it a sanity check! LOL

Merry Christmas!

SP3

 

[DatabaseBen]

likely during indexing by windows, it
searches for files from a variety
of locations so that it can display the
results via file manager/explorer.

you can "disable" it via
system tools device manager.

if floppies are not regularly used
i would disable at the cmos level.
since they are cheap little machines,
the cycling wears them down. i would
totally disconnect it from the mobo until
you need it.

one less hardware will make your
o.s. 1milliseconds faster. In people
terms "its one less bill to worry about"

 

[Office 2004 Test Drive User]

I believe xp does some sort of hardware initialization or check when booting
up(you should see the caps/numb/scroll lights blink)

I'd say that to be the cause... I know one of my dvdr's lights up... Other
one doesn't..

I wouldn't worry about it too much

Season's Greetings!

Ref: Win XP Pro/SP2

I have the HDD first in the boot sequence followed by CD-ROM drive, and then
the floppy drive. Something I've just noticed . . . and it may have been
this way forever and a day . . . after the WinXP boot screen and as Windows
begins to start, I hear the floppy drive for a couple of seconds. I suppose
I never noticed it before because it is rather quiet; I do see the floppy
drive light momentarily. I have floppy drive 3rd in BIOS and disabled AV
check of floppy drive.

I have been told that this is not "normal" -- that there should not be a FD
access/check once Windows launches.

In trying to solve this: anti-virus (AVG) is set to NOT scan floppy drive;
AVG, Spybot S & D & Ad-aware scanned; upgraded drivers; latest MS updates;
there are no shortcut links to the FD; a compete search of the registry and
no links to A:\; no startup items linked to A:\; MRU items cleared; BIOS
upgraded; new FD installed, FD cables changed; checked IRQ for conflicts
(none) and a few Win XP configuration settings changed.

Am I searching for a "phantom"? Could this be an endless search for a
solution to a non-problem? LOL

I have found a number of posts that discuss RANDOM floppy drive access (not
my specific problem) and what what some describe as EXCESSIVE floppy drive
checks (I would not call mine excessive) when Windows 2k/XP launches.
(Note: This is NOT the POST boot drive check -- this is after POST as
Windows launches and goes through its start sequence.)

I have another machine with Win 2k and it does the same thing -- FD check as
part of WIndows launch sequence. I never really noticed it before (as with
the Win XP machine).

I did find info on MS site that the Windows launch sequence does include
detection of installed hardware but it does not describe how "detection" is
accomplished. In any case, I noticed that my keyboard LEDs would flash
momentarily and then in about 2 seconds the FD would be accessed. It fits
the detection sequence as outlined by MS -- that is, the keyboard is checked
before the FD.

I finally came to the conclusion that I may be chasing a phantom, a
non-problem! I have spend many hours on this already. I used the
opportunity to upgrade component drivers and the system BIOS as well.

Now, I am not a tech -- far from it. Which is to say that I know a little
and with a little (dangerous) knowledge, I could be way out in the boonies
on a wild goose chase.

I would appreciate your comments about this FD access during Windows 2k/XP
launch sequence. Call it a sanity check! LOL

Merry Christmas!

SP3






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Sent using the Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac Test Drive.

 

[Sans Pam III]

Hey, thanks for the prompt reply!

I have all indexing disabled including Office.

Yeah, I seldom use the FD. Disabling is probably a good idea but it is not
a nuisance. My concern was not so much the increase in start up time but if
this is normal sequence.

SP3

 

[Sans Pam III]

"I wouldn't worry about it too much" -- probably the best advice I've
gotten. LOL! It is one of those things about things you've not noticed
before but someone calls it to your attention and you always notice it from
then on!

Yes, I also noticed the DVD drive light up briefly also -- after the FD
check. But you did not mention seeing the FD light and a FD check.

SP3