·
Floppy Drive is not ready even though a disk is inserted
(a:\ is not accessible).
·
When Floppy
Disk is changed, the system continues to see the first one.
·
What is Floppy Mode 3 in BIOS?
Floppy Drive is not
ready even though a disk is inserted (a:\ is not accessible).
·
Be
sure the CMOS Setup Utility is set correctly for your Floppy Drive (most are 3
1/2 inch, 1.44 MB).
·
If
you have more than one Floppy Drive, check that Floppy Drive Swapping is not
enabled in CMOS.
·
Check
if the floppies are Write-Protected. Just
look at the back of the floppy with the metal door oriented downwards, so you
can check the position of the sliding Write Protect Tab in the upper-left hand
corner. The tab positions are usually
labeled in writing as “Safe” or “Write”, or with an icon of a “Locked Lock” or “Unlocked
Lock”. In either case, if you can see
through the disk through the tab hole, it is Write Protected. Just slide the Tab to the other position and
try accessing the disk again.
·
In
Windows Explorer, right-click the Floppy Drive and format the floppy with the “transfer
system files” option selected.
·
Try
another Floppy Drive.
·
Replace
the Floppy Cable, sometimes they get nicked.
Be sure that the motherboard end (un-twisted end) of the new Floppy Cable
matches the motherboard connection.
Sometimes the location of the “blank” pin is in different location and
you may bend or damage the pins on the motherboard floppy connector if you try
to force it on.
·
If
the Floppy Drive LED stays on all the time, you have the Floppy Cable plugged
in backwards on either the motherboard or the Floppy Drive end; the red stripe
goes to pin 1. Also ensure that the end
with the “twist” is connected to the Floppy Drive. Of course this problem only occurs during new installations, or
after you have already attempted to reseat or replace the Floppy Cable.
·
You
could have a bad box of Floppy Disks.
Try one of the suspect floppies in another computer. Be sure to use a virus scanner before attempting
to open any files on the disk.
When Floppy Disk is
changed, the system continues to see the first one.
Symptoms: When a floppy disk
is inserted into floppy disk drive and the directory is displayed, the
directory of the floppy that was previously in the drive is displayed.
Caution: Writing to the
second floppy will damage the data on it. The write also writes part or
all of the previous floppy's FAT and directory sections.
Background: Pressing the eject button
to remove the previous floppy normally sends a Disk Change (DC) signal to the
floppy drive controller. If the signal
does not get to the controller or the controller is defective, the operating
system will not flush the floppy cache'.
Temporary fix: Press Ctrl-C in DOS right
after inserting the floppy. That should flush the cache'.
Troubleshooting:
1.
Reseat the floppy cable at both ends.
2.
Replace the floppy cable. To verify, Check pin 34 continuity.
3.
Make sure the pins labeled DC on the floppy drive printed circuit board are
jumpered.
4.
Dirty (or bad) disk change sensor or LED. Remove floppy, gently open door, and blow dust out of the
drive. Carefully clean through floppy
door with cotton swab and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol (use sparingly; keep away
from heads).
5.
Bad floppy drive printed circuit board. Replace drive.
6.
Bad floppy disk controller (part of the motherboard now-a-days). Find a controller card (good luck!), replace
the motherboard, or go without.
What is Floppy Mode
3 in BIOS?
This
is a special 3-1/2" 1.2 MB Floppy used in Japan.