Floppy disk shows up in device manager but doesnt work!

enwar3

Golden Member
Jun 26, 2005
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I've been getting a floppy disk error during boot up. I checked device manager, and the drivers and the actual floppy registers as working properly. However, when I try to read a floppy, none of the lights come on and it doesn't read the disk. It's as if the floppy drive doesn't work anymore. Any suggestions?
 

mauiblue

Senior member
Aug 8, 2004
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Did you recently removed and reinstalled the floppy? Maybe the ribbon cable got installed incorrectly. I remember I installed the cable incorrectly and "poof" the floppy didn't work. Good luck.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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PCGeek is correct. An improper cable connection will have the LED run light on all the time.

My sense is that the floppy is probably old, tired, and dirty. If running a cleaning disk doesn't fix it, replace it. They are too cheap to mess with. They are, as was said above, one of the flakiest components of any computer.
 

enwar3

Golden Member
Jun 26, 2005
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Yea I agree, I'm thinking it's just old and busted. It's about a year old, but I don't think messing with it will be worth $10. I just don't wanna wait for one to get delivered. Ah well, thanks for you help guys!
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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Don't you have any local stores for piddly stuff like that? I'm thinking a decent used one from Computer Rennaissance would be about $5.
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
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Damn I don't think I've used a floppy drive in about 5 years???? Does anybody actually use them any more?

pcgeek
 

bX510

Golden Member
Feb 11, 2006
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Originally posted by: pcgeek11
Damn I don't think I've used a floppy drive in about 5 years???? Does anybody actually use them any more?

pcgeek

Floppy is ancient, I haven't heard of that word for a long time. I dont' even have a floppy drive.
 

JimPhelpsMI

Golden Member
Oct 8, 2004
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Hi, Maui is correct about the cable being on wrong and the LED staying on, but in that case the system will not recognize the floppy. Incidentally, when that happens and there is a disk in the Floppy, the disk gets blown. Usually only stops it from booting.

Jim