Floppy problem on an older machine

[Dennis Schmitz]

Hi all,

I have an Abit BX6 ver 1 Award Bios ver. 4.51 PG motherboard USB ver 1.1
Intel 82443BX/ZX chipset

AGP 1
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name ViewSonic Q19wb [NoDB]
Monitor ID VSCB71E
Model Q19wb
Manufacture Date Week 47 / 2006
Serial Number QCW064701199
Max. Visible Display Size 41 cm x 26 cm (19.1")
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:9
Horizontal Frequency 30 - 82 kHz
Vertical Frequency 56 - 75 Hz
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support Active-Off

Monitor Manufacturer
Company Name ViewSonic Corporation
Product Information http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktop_display.htm
Driver Download http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers.htm
PII 400 CPU

Nspire PSU Model No. MAU-250P1

512 RAM
Micron Tech. 8LSDT1664AG-133B1 - 128 MB - 70ns
Micron Tech. 18LSDT1672AG-10EC7 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns

Seagate 80 GB HDD Partitioned (c) 10 GB - (d) 2 GB - (e) 68 GB

TDK 24/10/40 CDRW secondary master

Creative PC-DVD Dxr2 normally secondary slave, not connected at this time as
I may need the secondary slave for the LS-120.
Secondary
slave empty.
Creative Awe-64 Sound Card

ATI All-In Wonder 128 Pro AGP Video Card w/32 MB Video RAM
ATI Rage128 Pro (ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro) Video Adapter
ATI Rage128 Pro 3D Accelerator
AuraVision VxP524 Video Processor Multimedia Video

HP Photosmart 7960 USB Photo Printer

SMC 1660T EZ Card Ethernet NIC using Roadrunner Cable Modem. Running Windows
98SE

Standard 101/102 Microsoft Natural Keyboard, 2 Button PS/2 Compatible
Mouse - no wheel.

Also a Mitsubishi Model No. MF357G-211UAL LS-120 Drive, in the machine, not
connected.

Sorry for such a long post, don't know how much info is needed.

I recently replaced a Maxtor 40 GB HDD with the above Seagate 80 GB.

After making the mechanical hookups, restarting the machine to format and
partition the new drive,
the floppy drive light comes on immediately and never goes out. The drive is
unusable as Windows Explorer says "drive not ready".

The floppy ribbon cable is attached with the red wire closest to the power
connector with the twisted pair end.

Have tried going in Device Manager, deleting Floppy and restarting to let
Windows reinstall, no joy.

The BIOS is set to boot A,C I think, D. Can set to boot from CD ROM or LS
120 if needed.

Appreciate any advise as to restoring floppy drive.
Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Conor]

Hi all,

I have an Abit BX6 ver 1 Award Bios ver. 4.51 PG motherboard USB ver 1.1
Intel 82443BX/ZX chipset

AGP 1
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name ViewSonic Q19wb [NoDB]
Monitor ID VSCB71E
Model Q19wb
Manufacture Date Week 47 / 2006
Serial Number QCW064701199
Max. Visible Display Size 41 cm x 26 cm (19.1")
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:9
Horizontal Frequency 30 - 82 kHz
Vertical Frequency 56 - 75 Hz
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support Active-Off

Monitor Manufacturer
Company Name ViewSonic Corporation
Product Information http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktop_display.htm
Driver Download http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers.htm
PII 400 CPU

Nspire PSU Model No. MAU-250P1

512 RAM
Micron Tech. 8LSDT1664AG-133B1 - 128 MB - 70ns
Micron Tech. 18LSDT1672AG-10EC7 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns

Seagate 80 GB HDD Partitioned (c) 10 GB - (d) 2 GB - (e) 68 GB

TDK 24/10/40 CDRW secondary master

Creative PC-DVD Dxr2 normally secondary slave, not connected at this time as
I may need the secondary slave for the LS-120.
Secondary
slave empty.
Creative Awe-64 Sound Card

ATI All-In Wonder 128 Pro AGP Video Card w/32 MB Video RAM
ATI Rage128 Pro (ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro) Video Adapter
ATI Rage128 Pro 3D Accelerator
AuraVision VxP524 Video Processor Multimedia Video

HP Photosmart 7960 USB Photo Printer

SMC 1660T EZ Card Ethernet NIC using Roadrunner Cable Modem. Running Windows
98SE

Standard 101/102 Microsoft Natural Keyboard, 2 Button PS/2 Compatible
Mouse - no wheel.

Also a Mitsubishi Model No. MF357G-211UAL LS-120 Drive, in the machine, not
connected.

Sorry for such a long post, don't know how much info is needed.

I recently replaced a Maxtor 40 GB HDD with the above Seagate 80 GB.

After making the mechanical hookups, restarting the machine to format and
partition the new drive,
the floppy drive light comes on immediately and never goes out. The drive is
unusable as Windows Explorer says "drive not ready".

The floppy ribbon cable is attached with the red wire closest to the power
connector with the twisted pair end.

Have tried going in Device Manager, deleting Floppy and restarting to let
Windows reinstall, no joy.

The BIOS is set to boot A,C I think, D. Can set to boot from CD ROM or LS
120 if needed.

Appreciate any advise as to restoring floppy drive.

Flip the ribbon cable over at the drive end. Pin 1 isn't always next to
the power connector on floppies.

 

[Dennis Schmitz]

Hi all,

I have an Abit BX6 ver 1 Award Bios ver. 4.51 PG motherboard USB ver 1.1
Intel 82443BX/ZX chipset

AGP 1
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name ViewSonic Q19wb [NoDB]
Monitor ID VSCB71E
Model Q19wb
Manufacture Date Week 47 / 2006
Serial Number QCW064701199
Max. Visible Display Size 41 cm x 26 cm (19.1")
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:9
Horizontal Frequency 30 - 82 kHz
Vertical Frequency 56 - 75 Hz
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support Active-Off

Monitor Manufacturer
Company Name ViewSonic Corporation
Product Information http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktop_display.htm
Driver Download http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers.htm
PII 400 CPU

Nspire PSU Model No. MAU-250P1

512 RAM
Micron Tech. 8LSDT1664AG-133B1 - 128 MB - 70ns
Micron Tech. 18LSDT1672AG-10EC7 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns

Seagate 80 GB HDD Partitioned (c) 10 GB - (d) 2 GB - (e) 68 GB

TDK 24/10/40 CDRW secondary master

Creative PC-DVD Dxr2 normally secondary slave, not connected at this time as
I may need the secondary slave for the LS-120.
Secondary
slave empty.
Creative Awe-64 Sound Card

ATI All-In Wonder 128 Pro AGP Video Card w/32 MB Video RAM
ATI Rage128 Pro (ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro) Video Adapter
ATI Rage128 Pro 3D Accelerator
AuraVision VxP524 Video Processor Multimedia Video

HP Photosmart 7960 USB Photo Printer

SMC 1660T EZ Card Ethernet NIC using Roadrunner Cable Modem. Running Windows
98SE

Standard 101/102 Microsoft Natural Keyboard, 2 Button PS/2 Compatible
Mouse - no wheel.

Also a Mitsubishi Model No. MF357G-211UAL LS-120 Drive, in the machine, not
connected.

Sorry for such a long post, don't know how much info is needed.

I recently replaced a Maxtor 40 GB HDD with the above Seagate 80 GB.

After making the mechanical hookups, restarting the machine to format and
partition the new drive,
the floppy drive light comes on immediately and never goes out. The drive is
unusable as Windows Explorer says "drive not ready".

The floppy ribbon cable is attached with the red wire closest to the power
connector with the twisted pair end.

Have tried going in Device Manager, deleting Floppy and restarting to let
Windows reinstall, no joy.

The BIOS is set to boot A,C I think, D. Can set to boot from CD ROM or LS
120 if needed.

Appreciate any advise as to restoring floppy drive.

Flip the ribbon cable over at the drive end. Pin 1 isn't always next to
the power connector on floppies.


--
Conor

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak.........

Conor, thanks a bunch, worked great. Never knew the ribbon could be placed
"backwards".

Thanks again,
Dennis

 

[Frank McCoy]

Hi all,

I have an Abit BX6 ver 1 Award Bios ver. 4.51 PG motherboard USB ver 1.1
Intel 82443BX/ZX chipset

AGP 1
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name ViewSonic Q19wb [NoDB]
Monitor ID VSCB71E
Model Q19wb
Manufacture Date Week 47 / 2006
Serial Number QCW064701199
Max. Visible Display Size 41 cm x 26 cm (19.1")
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:9
Horizontal Frequency 30 - 82 kHz
Vertical Frequency 56 - 75 Hz
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support Active-Off

Monitor Manufacturer
Company Name ViewSonic Corporation
Product Information http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktop_display.htm
Driver Download http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers.htm
PII 400 CPU

Nspire PSU Model No. MAU-250P1

512 RAM
Micron Tech. 8LSDT1664AG-133B1 - 128 MB - 70ns
Micron Tech. 18LSDT1672AG-10EC7 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns

Seagate 80 GB HDD Partitioned (c) 10 GB - (d) 2 GB - (e) 68 GB

TDK 24/10/40 CDRW secondary master

Creative PC-DVD Dxr2 normally secondary slave, not connected at this time as
I may need the secondary slave for the LS-120.
Secondary
slave empty.
Creative Awe-64 Sound Card

ATI All-In Wonder 128 Pro AGP Video Card w/32 MB Video RAM
ATI Rage128 Pro (ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro) Video Adapter
ATI Rage128 Pro 3D Accelerator
AuraVision VxP524 Video Processor Multimedia Video

HP Photosmart 7960 USB Photo Printer

SMC 1660T EZ Card Ethernet NIC using Roadrunner Cable Modem. Running Windows
98SE

Standard 101/102 Microsoft Natural Keyboard, 2 Button PS/2 Compatible
Mouse - no wheel.

Also a Mitsubishi Model No. MF357G-211UAL LS-120 Drive, in the machine, not
connected.

Sorry for such a long post, don't know how much info is needed.

I recently replaced a Maxtor 40 GB HDD with the above Seagate 80 GB.

After making the mechanical hookups, restarting the machine to format and
partition the new drive,
the floppy drive light comes on immediately and never goes out. The drive is
unusable as Windows Explorer says "drive not ready".

The floppy ribbon cable is attached with the red wire closest to the power
connector with the twisted pair end.

Have tried going in Device Manager, deleting Floppy and restarting to let
Windows reinstall, no joy.

The BIOS is set to boot A,C I think, D. Can set to boot from CD ROM or LS
120 if needed.

Appreciate any advise as to restoring floppy drive.
Thanks,
Dennis

By *far*, the commonest problem with floppy drives is the cable.
Usually, just pulling it out and reseating the cable in both the
motherboard and drives will "fix" the problem, at least temporarily.
If you keep having that problem a day, week, or month after doing that;
and that (again) "fixes" the problem; then usually you need to buy a new
floppy cable.

NEXT, (far down the list in likelihood) is the drive being bad itself.
For less than $20 you can pick up a brand new one; and they're
comparatively easy to replace.

Last (and hardest), the floppy interface goes bad.
If that happens on a motherboard, the only solution is to either replace
the motherboard, or buy a floppy interface board. Those aren't really
all that expensive; just getting a lot harder to find these days. You
then disable the onboard floppy interface and plug the cable into the
new board, following instructions.

Very rarely indeed do you have problems with drivers; but it does happen
sometimes when new software is installed or malware gets onto your
system. Still more rarely when you have hard-drive problems and cannot
retrieve the driver properly.

Yours sounds like cable problems.

 

[Frank McCoy]

Hi all,

I have an Abit BX6 ver 1 Award Bios ver. 4.51 PG motherboard USB ver 1.1
Intel 82443BX/ZX chipset

AGP 1
Monitor Properties
Monitor Name ViewSonic Q19wb [NoDB]
Monitor ID VSCB71E
Model Q19wb
Manufacture Date Week 47 / 2006
Serial Number QCW064701199
Max. Visible Display Size 41 cm x 26 cm (19.1")
Picture Aspect Ratio 16:9
Horizontal Frequency 30 - 82 kHz
Vertical Frequency 56 - 75 Hz
Gamma 2.20
DPMS Mode Support Active-Off

Monitor Manufacturer
Company Name ViewSonic Corporation
Product Information http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktop_display.htm
Driver Download http://www.viewsonic.com/support/drivers.htm
PII 400 CPU

Nspire PSU Model No. MAU-250P1

512 RAM
Micron Tech. 8LSDT1664AG-133B1 - 128 MB - 70ns
Micron Tech. 18LSDT1672AG-10EC7 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns
Mitsubishi MH16S72AAMD-8 - 128 MB - 70ns

Seagate 80 GB HDD Partitioned (c) 10 GB - (d) 2 GB - (e) 68 GB

TDK 24/10/40 CDRW secondary master

Creative PC-DVD Dxr2 normally secondary slave, not connected at this time as
I may need the secondary slave for the LS-120.
Secondary
slave empty.
Creative Awe-64 Sound Card

ATI All-In Wonder 128 Pro AGP Video Card w/32 MB Video RAM
ATI Rage128 Pro (ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro) Video Adapter
ATI Rage128 Pro 3D Accelerator
AuraVision VxP524 Video Processor Multimedia Video

HP Photosmart 7960 USB Photo Printer

SMC 1660T EZ Card Ethernet NIC using Roadrunner Cable Modem. Running Windows
98SE

Standard 101/102 Microsoft Natural Keyboard, 2 Button PS/2 Compatible
Mouse - no wheel.

Also a Mitsubishi Model No. MF357G-211UAL LS-120 Drive, in the machine, not
connected.

Sorry for such a long post, don't know how much info is needed.

I recently replaced a Maxtor 40 GB HDD with the above Seagate 80 GB.

After making the mechanical hookups, restarting the machine to format and
partition the new drive,
the floppy drive light comes on immediately and never goes out. The drive is
unusable as Windows Explorer says "drive not ready".

The floppy ribbon cable is attached with the red wire closest to the power
connector with the twisted pair end.

Have tried going in Device Manager, deleting Floppy and restarting to let
Windows reinstall, no joy.

The BIOS is set to boot A,C I think, D. Can set to boot from CD ROM or LS
120 if needed.

Appreciate any advise as to restoring floppy drive.

Flip the ribbon cable over at the drive end. Pin 1 isn't always next to
the power connector on floppies.


--
Conor

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak.........

Conor, thanks a bunch, worked great. Never knew the ribbon could be placed
"backwards".

It's not *supposed* to happen.
However, some cables aren't pinned right.
Also, some cheap drives don't have the proper sockets; only pins.

 

[Blinky the Shark]

Conor, thanks a bunch, worked great. Never knew the ribbon could be placed
"backwards".

Just out of curiosity, what did you think would prevent it being
inserted the wrong way?

 

[Dennis Schmitz]

Just out of curiosity, what did you think would prevent it being
inserted the wrong way?

Not having any detents on the drive, or connector, it visually appeared that
reversing the connector could physically be done.

By my earlier statement, I didn't think it SHOULD be done. Might do some
type of harm to the system, shorts and the like.

Thanks again,
Dennis