floppy drive not working

[Redstar]

I recently completed a new computer build, but the A drive is not
working. The drive letter shows up in My Computer but whenever I try
to access the drive using either a blank floppy or a disk with data
already recorded on it, I keep getting the message "Please insert disk
in Drive A." I am unable to open the drive via My Computer, but when I
click properties it states the drive is working normally. The power
light comes on when I insert a disk so I know power is going to the
drive.

I replaced the drive thinking the first floppy drive was defective and
that didn't work. I doublechecked the cable and its firmly installed
on the drive and the MOBO. I even switched the orientation of the
cable and re-connected, but still the drive cannot be read from or
accessed. Also, if I check the boot wequence in the BIOS, the A drive
is not listed as one of the options, just my harddrive and CD-Rom
drive.

Any hints to fix this? Many thanks.

Gary

 

[Galen]

In Redstar <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I recently completed a new computer build, but the A drive is not
working. The drive letter shows up in My Computer but whenever I try
to access the drive using either a blank floppy or a disk with data
already recorded on it, I keep getting the message "Please insert disk
in Drive A." I am unable to open the drive via My Computer, but when
I click properties it states the drive is working normally. The power
light comes on when I insert a disk so I know power is going to the
drive.

I replaced the drive thinking the first floppy drive was defective and
that didn't work. I doublechecked the cable and its firmly installed
on the drive and the MOBO. I even switched the orientation of the
cable and re-connected, but still the drive cannot be read from or
accessed. Also, if I check the boot wequence in the BIOS, the A drive
is not listed as one of the options, just my harddrive and CD-Rom
drive.

Any hints to fix this? Many thanks.

Gary

Years ago I'd say cable not working. That's not likely true today.

Boot and enter the setup utility (BIOS/CMOS) and disable three mode floppy
support. That generally does the trick. It could be a dead floppy as well.
Make sure you've got pin 1 to pin 1 side and you should be all set unless
it's bad hardware.


--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes