Most Common Problem With Floppy Disk Drives

[Brad]

Hi,

I have three computers that developed problems with reading floppy disks.
Note: This problem occurred at a different time for each computer.

What is the most common problem with floppy disk drives?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

 

[Paul]

Hi,

I have three computers that developed problems with reading floppy disks.
Note: This problem occurred at a different time for each computer.

What is the most common problem with floppy disk drives?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

Are you a smoker ? That is always harder on equipment.

My floppies here have always been reliable. Not a stitch of
trouble on 6+ computers. Never needed cleaning (unlike the
8" floppy days). In fact, if I had to choose between picking
up a home-prepared CD/DVD or a floppy diskette, I'd be more likely
to be able to read the floppy than the optical media. Due to
the crappy level of compatibility with the optical stuff
I've burned.

If you leave the floppy loaded in the drive, I suppose that
might have some consequences. But if you remember to eject
the disk when you're done, I don't see a reason for the floppy
to fail. My computers aren't dust free inside, and dust
never seems to be an issue. I've neither replaced nor cleaned
any of my floppy drives.

That is my experience.

Paul

 

[MCR]

Hi,

I have three computers that developed problems with reading floppy disks.
Note: This problem occurred at a different time for each computer.

What is the most common problem with floppy disk drives?

Thanks in advance, Brad

Hi Brad,
Sometimes a floppy formats or reads with one drive and not with others.
This was a big PITA when my machines had floppies. If it is indeed a
fault then I would say get a head cleaner as a dirty disk has probably
contaminated the drives. Also, If you installed the Floppy drive
yourself, check that the cable isnt the wrong way around.

As an aside I would recommend getting a USB pen drive, quicker and
easier than a floppy and they hold more information too, all you need is
USB on each machine.


HTH

 

[Shep©]

Hi Brad,
Sometimes a floppy formats or reads with one drive and not with others.
This was a big PITA when my machines had floppies. If it is indeed a
fault then I would say get a head cleaner as a dirty disk has probably
contaminated the drives. Also, If you installed the Floppy drive
yourself, check that the cable isnt the wrong way around.

As an aside I would recommend getting a USB pen drive, quicker and
easier than a floppy and they hold more information too, all you need is
USB on each machine.


HTH

Good call so long as the systems have USB support.Great little devices
however I've also used my USB MP3 player to transfer files

 

[paulmd]

Hi,

I have three computers that developed problems with reading floppy disks.
Note: This problem occurred at a different time for each computer.

What is the most common problem with floppy disk drives?

Very poor design. Back in the days of the 486, floppy drives were
pretty solid. But lately, the quality of the drives -- and disks-- has
dropped. Perhaps due to disuse, or to save money. Gateway Pentium 4s
have REALLY sucky drives.

 

[Rod Speed]

I have three computers that developed problems with reading floppy disks.

Floppys are a pain in the arse, well past their useby date now.

Note: This problem occurred at a different time for each computer.

What is the most common problem with floppy disk drives?

Most common is irrelevant.

Could be dirty heads, mould growing on the media, crummy media, etc etc etc.

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc., be
sure there is no active keystroke logger (spyware) in your PC.

Makes a lot more sense to prevent that happening in the first place.

 

[Jon Danniken]

Very poor design. Back in the days of the 486, floppy drives were
pretty solid. But lately, the quality of the drives -- and disks-- has
dropped. Perhaps due to disuse, or to save money. Gateway Pentium 4s
have REALLY sucky drives.

You just can't beat the old Teac units.

Jon