Dead Floppy Drive 2

[Chief4]

I recently built a new computer,AMD 1300mhz, 256Ram, 20GB hdd,etc. All works perfectly (win98se) except floppy drive does not work in this new computer. In my workbench computer it works OK. 3 others do the same thing. I have changed cables also. The drive shows up in the setup and device manager says it is working OK..no conflicts or problems. The drive light does not come on when booting or trying to access. Voltage reading on input plug is identical to voltage on a working floppy drive. Tech at place of purchase only says "improper installation". Having put together over 50 computers, this is the first time I have had floppy problems. The mb is an Amphon 825 w/onboard video,sound,56kv90/Lan,etc.

 

[gargouille]

You've looked in Device Manager for floppy controller, too, and it's okay? (DITO=don't ignore the obvious: catches ME sometimes)
The controller/connector might be bad...changed power leads, too? Checked voltage on the lead?
Dontcha' just hateit when they take that sniffy attitude?
LOL

 

[edfair]

Drive is not getting selected, failure of cable or controller. Using end connector and cut and twist nearest the drive? Using header (34 socket) or edge connector with adapter ? Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[paparazi]

I know this sounds really thick but is the drive being fitted behind a front panel with an extension button??
It is possible to push the drive too far so the disc doesn't drop fully into the drive and play.
Martin
Please let members know if there advice has helped any.

 

[gargouille]

Wouldn't it still do the discovery thing at POST, tho? (and light up)

 

[stevieblunder]

Three other drives, or three other computers??? Anyway, sounds like the FDD controller on the mobo, or maybe BIOS settings.

BTW, windows is way too late for hardware diags. Keep it simple, get it working for the BIOS first. Be sure you have a DOS boot floppy. When that works, then worry about getting windows to work. Windows will ignor, hide, or disguise hardware problems because it makes too many assumptions.

 

[gargouille]

That's just not so, stevie, you look everywhere you think to when something's not working. I've worked on too many systems where the BIOS didn't raise any flags or give any indicators and the OS gave a clue.

To wit: I was troubleshooting my own computer not being able to use a CDROM...and finally noticed XP said "the driver detected there is a problem with the IDE controller" in Event Viewer.
So I switched my hard drive to that connection, and when it failed to boot, I had my fix. Controller was bad on the motherboard. Worked some times, sometimes not. But the OS gave me some diagnostics.

MS builds in those cryptic error messages that leave us scratching our heads 'til we discover a page fault in an unpaged error is a MEMORY issue...and the BIOS didn't say a peep about it.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Chief4]

My thanks for all the input. After trying everything siggested I finally took he motherboard back to the store where I bought it and they gave me a new one, no problem at all, and I installed it and now everything is working great. Thanks again to all the input on this problem.