A:\ is not accessible - error message

[EvertonFC]

Hello

I am using Windows XP. Recently, I have not been able to read files on my floppy disks (on any floppy disk). I get an error message: "A:\ is not accessible. No ID address mark was found on the floppy disk"

What is the likely cause of this and how can I correct it?

Thanks.

EvertonFC

 

[electronicsfreak]

If the floppy disc were made in windows 98 then you will probally not be able to read them on xp. I have had problems like that. However if your u sing brand new blank disc and nothing works on it your floppy drive is probally going bad.

 

[EvertonFC]

Hello Electronics

Yes, the files come off a Win98 machine and I am now trying to open the floppies on a WinXp machine. Disgrace that you either have to choose between losing the information on your floppies or not upgrading to WinXP!

However, today I bought some blank floppies and I cannot open them either.

Everton

 

[electronicsfreak]

If the new floppys are not opening then most likely your floppy drive is dead. You can get a new floppy at a local computer store for around 12-15 dollars probally. That is what I paid for mine. If that turns out not to be it you can always take it back.

 

[BadBigBen]

Check the cable connection and power connection on the FDD...

it this is not the case then purchasing a new FDD is inevitable... like EF mentioned they are pretty cheap these days...

btw. I never had any problems reading W98 or higher formated Floppies with XP...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[garebo]

I use floppies quite a bit and exchange them between win 98 and win xp all the time, never a problem. I use win98se boot disk on xp systems.
The only issue here is that floppy drives are low-tech, mostly mechanical devices. So one floppy will work in one machine and not in another, but it doesnt matter what os it is. Some floppy drives are newer and wont read whats written by an older floppy drive as the older one is worn and doesnt write as well as it should, something like that.
Point is, again, that i dont think os has anything to do with it. What matters is which floppy drive it is, newer or older, worn out or not.

Also, have you made sure your floppy is enabled in bios and also set to write? Some bios you have to even set it to allow the os to read and to write to the floppy drive.
As already mentioned, make sure the cables are on right, and you might even replace the ribbon cable and if the power supply has a second connector then use that one in place of the small connector. These ribbon cables do break down on the inside and we cant tell they are gone bad, same for ide.




Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[KenB]

Floppy drives use a head actuator called a stepper motor. The stepper motor can move in and out at the exact no. of steps as the tracks on the floppy. When the drives are built the heads are calibrated to a standard and are all the same. As was already mentioned age, heat and just plane wear can throw the heads of wack. So one machine will read disks that it formated but not another.

Ken

 

[allteltec]

The heads can get a dirt build up also causing the floppy drive not to read. And on the case of floppy's reading in a 98 and not in a XP what you will get is the floppy is not formatted when you try to read in a XP. This only happens with so very old floppy's that was factory pre formatted when new. Thay are missing a media type bit in the boot sector that XP user by 98 did not. The bit can be reset using a disk editor I have done it, but it has been a long time since I have seen any of those floppy's.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Yeah thats the exact message ive gotten alot. Im sort of a packrat so i have old parts laying all around including new and old floppy disc.

 

[garebo]

In the spirit of doing the job the post intended, we need to hear from EvertonFC. Have you tried other floppy disks or tried formatting any floppies disks on that floppy drive?


Good advice + great people = tek-tips