wierd floppy (A:) drive problem

[MWTungsten]

I've just finished building a PC and (surprising me) I've only encountered 2 small problems.

The first problem I already made a post about here:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1562458&enterthread=y
(I don't know if it could be related to the 2nd issue below?)

The second problem is that my floppy drive doesn't recognize discs. Windows sees the drive, and the device manager says it's ok, but whenever I try to accesss it I get the "Please insert disc" prompt despite there being a disc inside. The green light on the front of the drive (usually unlit) comes on only when it seeks for a disc, so I'm pretty sure that means the cables are ok too. I've installed all the motherboard drivers and windows updates. So what else could this be?

 

[ShadowBlade]

update drivers for the floppy?

 

[mshan]

I had a similar problem with my floppy disk drive and it ended up being that some metal from the computer case was touching the bottom of the drive and screwing it up.

Try connecting the fdd outside of the computer case and see if it functions correctly then.

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
update drivers for the floppy?

They uhhh dont have them

spray it with some canned air

 

[MWTungsten]

Tried all suggestions, still no luck. Then took another 1.44 drive out of an old machine and that one works fine in my new PC (except for being ugly). So I guess I just got sent a defective drive? :shrug: Not cost effective to RMA a $10 floppy. :disgust:

 

[ShadowBlade]

heh, i know this sounds stupid, but i made this mistake just the other day
do you have the power plugged in to the drive?

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
heh, i know this sounds stupid, but i made this mistake just the other day
do you have the power plugged in to the drive?

How can the drive light come on when the floppy seeks if it's not plugged in?? :roll:

 

[jamesbond007]

Is the data light on the drive always on? If so, try flipping the data cable around on the back of the floppy drive. Pin 1 always goes towards the power connector on the drive!

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: jamesbond007
Is the data light on the drive always on? If so, try flipping the data cable around on the back of the floppy drive. Pin 1 always goes towards the power connector on the drive!

The green light on the front of the drive (usually unlit) comes on only when it seeks for a disc,

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: MWTungsten
Tried all suggestions, still no luck. Then took another 1.44 drive out of an old machine and that one works fine in my new PC (except for being ugly). So I guess I just got sent a defective drive? :shrug: Not cost effective to RMA a $10 floppy. :disgust:

Yes it looks like you got a bad one,like you said they are so cheap it's not worth getting a RMA for it.

You're better off going to a local store & buying one there,if it dont work at least you can return it localy.

 

[ribbon13]

Was is Sony, Mitsumi, or NEC?