Duff floppy drive

greencreeper · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:22

Just recently built a new PC, including floppy drive. This was about a few weeks ago. Just discovered that the floppy drive is duff - won't read disks. I was wondering about sending it back, but it seems pointless - given the cost of postage/packing, I may as well buy another drive? Could even take the floppy drive out of my old PC. Not sure though. Any thoughts on this?

killer_uk · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:26

One question, is the light on the floppy drive constantly lit? Or does it simply just not read floppy disks?

greencreeper · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:31

killer_uk said:
One question, is the light on the floppy drive constantly lit? Or does it simply just not read floppy disks?

Yeah - that would mean the data cable is the wrong way round. I did that to start with

Always do - just my luck. It's now the right way but still nothing. It reports that the disk is not formatted, offers to format, and then fails to format it. I even went to the place with the nasty men in purple and spent £7 :eek:

on floppy disks. They're not easy to find anymore. Still the same with new disks.

killer_uk · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:40

Ah, was worth checking! Can't tell you how many times I've done that. I really don't have that much else to suggest, it's been years since I've had my own floppy. Maybe someone else can give you a hand.

greencreeper · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:43

killer_uk said:
Ah, was worth checking! Can't tell you how many times I've done that. I really don't have that much else to suggest, it's been years since I've had my own floppy. Maybe someone else can give you a hand.

Indeed

I'm not that sure I'll use the floppy but for a fiver I figured, "Why not"

Tomsk · 12 Jul 2007 at 08:09

killer_uk said:
...it's been years since I've had my own floppy. Maybe someone else can give you a hand.

Snigger.

Sorry. OT

BTW to the OP. Why do you need a floppy drive on a new build? It should be able to boot direct from a CD or USB device.

Johnnyboy · 12 Jul 2007 at 08:28

Few things to things to check:

- The data ribbon pin 1 is actually connected tp pin 1 on the FDD. It is possible to have the whole lot one row out.

- That the power lead is connected to the FDD the right way round and is connected to your PSU.

- The write protect lock on the floppy disk is set to read/ write.

- The BIOS has IDE/ FDD settings enabled.

- Device Manager for any hardware driver errors.

[J]