cannot access floppy

WinXP

suddenly I cannot use the floppy drive -- cannot read, cannot format, cannot write
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Device manager indicates ALL is OK even after a couple of reboots. Everything working correctly.
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Testing with known written floppies - several
Dir a: yields Media not recognized. may not be formatted
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Formating with known blank disks: several
Invalid Media - Track 0 bad - Disk unusable

 

I haven't gone thru all the steps but some

In device manager, removed both the drive and the drive controller. WINXP found both and replaced them but no change. I neglected to say two things: The computer is nly about 3-4 weeks old and the power is going to the drive; the light goes on. It just does not recognize what is in the drive. My next step, I think, would be to disconnect the drive cable (I dont think the power cable is involved in the problem).

If that does not help, I do have a floppy drive in another machine but I am saving that option for last. Probably will attach power and data cables without physically removing the drive, if I can manage that.

Does that sound like a good plan?

 

XP Pro does not seem to like 3.5 inch Floppy drives.

If I want anythin off of or put anything on a floppy I have to transfer it to another machine by way of the LAN and do it from there.

However the machine does boot nicely from a floppy IF I shut down completely.

I have given up on floppys any way and use CDS. They are much more reliable and faster.

My Machine is set to boot from the Floppy, CDROM ( either one works ) and then the HD.

In device manager, removed both the drive and the drive controller

Been there and done that with no success either.

BillyBob

 

Hi Tenbob,

If you get to the stage of trying your other floppy and it still won't work, just want to suggest to try another ribbon cable as well. (Not very likely, but not impossible).

Matt

 

BillyBob

I have an absolute need, at the present time, for a floppy drive. I was one of the first to buy a digital camera and Sony, that wrote to floppies, seemed a good idea at the time: more universal than memory sticks

I have floppies to read into my computer for editing and, if necessary, save to the CD. I think I will try to get it working but if all else fails, I will use my wife's machine to copy those JPGs to a zip disk and use the Zip to move them into my computer.

 

Save yourself some time and aggrevation. Do the above first.

My Floppy works just fine in Win98. But works differently or else not at all.

Idea which I had done.

Put the Floppy in your Wifes' machine. Share the A: drive and get the files to yours from there.

I have burned stuff from floppys to a CD that way.

Of course this will only work if you have a LAN setup.

BillyBob

 

After trying all suggestions, I hooked up another drive externally and it worked fine so it seems the drive has gone south

Called tech since the machine is still in warranty. Supposedly they will be here next week to replace the drive.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.