Floppy Disk Question Follow Up

D

DaffyD®

This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.

Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with pin 1
on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at the
FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a CD
drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
same result. At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
connector from the FDD.

I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable being
connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again, this
drive operated fine before I installed a power supply. I've searched
through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up the
money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.
--
{ : [|]=( DaffyD®

If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
 
L

Lee

On Jan 6, 12:32 am, "DaffyD®" <daf...@woohoo.com> wrote:
> This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
>
> Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with pin 1
> on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at the
> FDD.  Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a CD
> drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
> same result.  At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
> connector from the FDD.
>
> I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable being
> connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again, this
> drive operated fine before I installed a power supply.  I've searched
> through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up the
> money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.
> --
> { : [|]=(  DaffyD®
>
> If I knew where I was I'd be there now.

From experiance I can tell you it's a cable problem, believe it or
not. Try a new cable as the old one has a couple of bad connectors in
it somewhere and it's not worth the time and trouble to hunt them down
for repairs.

Even if your cable still inserts with a noticeable force required, try
a new one anyway. Time and again it's happened to me here and once
involved a CDROM drive. Last time I thought my 5.25 floppy finally
bit the dust and I wasted half a day with that issue before trying a
NEW cable which fixed her right up with the old drive.
 
P

philo

"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:%23UxdXZDUIHA.6036@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
>
> Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with pin
1
> on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at the
> FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a CD
> drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
> same result. At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
> connector from the FDD.
>
> I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable being
> connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again,
this
> drive operated fine before I installed a power supply. I've searched
> through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up the
> money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.


The thing with floppy drives is there does not seem to be any standard on
what is pin 1.

Some, the red wire goes toward the power connector...and on some it goes
away.


If you have tried it both ways and the floppy light remains on...then the
cable must be defective I'd think...
otherwise the controller is just plain bad...

Also be sure to check in the bios to see that drive A is the only drive
enabled (and set to 1.44meg)

And finally, the drive must be connected to the cable termination that's
*after* the twist in the cable
 
D

DaffyD®

"Lee" <melee5@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:21d88b36-4ee5-485f-8eb0-d6284bfa866c@41g2000hsy.googlegroups.com...
On Jan 6, 12:32 am, "DaffyD®" <daf...@woohoo.com> wrote:
> This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
>
> Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with pin
1
> on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at the
> FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a CD
> drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
> same result. At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
> connector from the FDD.
>
> I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable being
> connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again,
this
> drive operated fine before I installed a power supply. I've searched
> through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up the
> money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.
> --
> { : [|]=( DaffyD®
>
> If I knew where I was I'd be there now.

From experiance I can tell you it's a cable problem, believe it or
not. Try a new cable as the old one has a couple of bad connectors in
it somewhere and it's not worth the time and trouble to hunt them down
for repairs.

Even if your cable still inserts with a noticeable force required, try
a new one anyway. Time and again it's happened to me here and once
involved a CDROM drive. Last time I thought my 5.25 floppy finally
bit the dust and I wasted half a day with that issue before trying a
NEW cable which fixed her right up with the old drive.

Great idea. I'm going to try a new cable. Thanks.
 
D

DaffyD®

"philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:eoi5L4GUIHA.4360@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%23UxdXZDUIHA.6036@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> > This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
> >
> > Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with
pin
> 1
> > on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at
the
> > FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a
CD
> > drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
> > same result. At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
> > connector from the FDD.
> >
> > I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable
being
> > connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again,
> this
> > drive operated fine before I installed a power supply. I've searched
> > through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up
the
> > money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.
>
>
> The thing with floppy drives is there does not seem to be any standard on
> what is pin 1.
>
> Some, the red wire goes toward the power connector...and on some it goes
> away.
>
>
> If you have tried it both ways and the floppy light remains on...then the
> cable must be defective I'd think...
> otherwise the controller is just plain bad...
>
> Also be sure to check in the bios to see that drive A is the only drive
> enabled (and set to 1.44meg)
>
> And finally, the drive must be connected to the cable termination that's
> *after* the twist in the cable
>
I really hope it's the cable and not the controller. I'll start with
replacing the cable and hopefully that'll do the trick.
>
 
P

PCR

DaffyD® wrote:
| This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
|
| Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with
| pin 1 on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned
| correctly at the FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD
| spun around like a CD drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon
| cable at the FDD--still the same result. At that point, I just gave
| up and pulled out the power connector from the FDD.
|
| I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable
| being connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going
| on. Again, this drive operated fine before I installed a power
| supply. I've searched through Google for other answers but no luck.
| Might be time to save up the money to take the box to a tech since I
| am stumped.

Yep, try a new cable as the others have said. A dozen & a half computer
experts are rarely all wrong when they all say more/less the same thing
twice!

But here again are the settings I mentioned in the other thread...

(1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
(2) Open the "Disk drives" branch.
(3) D-Clk the floppy drive that appears under it for Properties.
(Mine is "Generic NEC Floppy Disk".)
(4) At the Settings tab, ensure "Removable" is checked.
(It just sounds as if that might relate.)

Boot to Safe Mode (Hold F5 or Ctrl as you boot), &...

(1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
(2) Open the "Floppy disk controllers" branch.

If there are more than one controller in this branch, you may have
a "ghost". Therefore, delete them all, & reboot to Normal Mode. Point it
to the folder that contains your .cabs, if asked.

But, if there is already just one driver there, then...

(3) D-Clk the controller that appears under it for Properties.
(Mine is "Standard Floppy Disk Controller".)
(4) At the Driver tab, click the "Update Driver" button.
(5) Click the "Next" button.
(6) Bolt "Display a list of drivers...", & click "Next".
(7) Bolt "Show all hardware".

Examine the screen. Mine is "Standard floppy disk controllers" in the
Manufacturers (left) pane & "Standard Floppy Disk Controller" in the
Models (right) pane. But I have four other choices there in the left
pane-- including "Compaq". As one clicks them in the left pane,
descriptive info shows up in the right pane. Perhaps, state what you
see. It could be worthwhile to go to another and back to the original
just to shake things up. To switch, select one, & click "Next".
(It seems odd mine is the Standard & not a Compaq controller. But, all
is working well, & I will let that be.)

Finally... How tough would it be to go back to the smaller power supply,
in case
the floppy drives were somehow sensitive to that?


--
| { : [|]=( DaffyD®
|
| If I knew where I was I'd be there now.

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net
 
D

DaffyD®

"PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:uhhRm%23XUIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> DaffyD® wrote:
> | This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
> |
> | Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with
> | pin 1 on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned
> | correctly at the FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD
> | spun around like a CD drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon
> | cable at the FDD--still the same result. At that point, I just gave
> | up and pulled out the power connector from the FDD.
> |
> | I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable
> | being connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going
> | on. Again, this drive operated fine before I installed a power
> | supply. I've searched through Google for other answers but no luck.
> | Might be time to save up the money to take the box to a tech since I
> | am stumped.
>
> Yep, try a new cable as the others have said. A dozen & a half computer
> experts are rarely all wrong when they all say more/less the same thing
> twice!
>
> But here again are the settings I mentioned in the other thread...
>
> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
> (2) Open the "Disk drives" branch.
> (3) D-Clk the floppy drive that appears under it for Properties.
> (Mine is "Generic NEC Floppy Disk".)
> (4) At the Settings tab, ensure "Removable" is checked.
> (It just sounds as if that might relate.)
>
> Boot to Safe Mode (Hold F5 or Ctrl as you boot), &...
>
> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
> (2) Open the "Floppy disk controllers" branch.
>
> If there are more than one controller in this branch, you may have
> a "ghost". Therefore, delete them all, & reboot to Normal Mode. Point it
> to the folder that contains your .cabs, if asked.
>
> But, if there is already just one driver there, then...
>
> (3) D-Clk the controller that appears under it for Properties.
> (Mine is "Standard Floppy Disk Controller".)
> (4) At the Driver tab, click the "Update Driver" button.
> (5) Click the "Next" button.
> (6) Bolt "Display a list of drivers...", & click "Next".
> (7) Bolt "Show all hardware".
>
> Examine the screen. Mine is "Standard floppy disk controllers" in the
> Manufacturers (left) pane & "Standard Floppy Disk Controller" in the
> Models (right) pane. But I have four other choices there in the left
> pane-- including "Compaq". As one clicks them in the left pane,
> descriptive info shows up in the right pane. Perhaps, state what you
> see. It could be worthwhile to go to another and back to the original
> just to shake things up. To switch, select one, & click "Next".
> (It seems odd mine is the Standard & not a Compaq controller. But, all
> is working well, & I will let that be.)
>
> Finally... How tough would it be to go back to the smaller power supply,
> in case
> the floppy drives were somehow sensitive to that?
>
>
> --
> | { : [|]=( DaffyD®
> |
> | If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
>
> --
> Thanks or Good Luck,
> There may be humor in this post, and,
> Naturally, you will not sue,
> Should things get worse after this,
> PCR
> pcrrcp@netzero.net
>
> I apparently have a different configuration than you do. D-Clking on the
Floppy Disk Controller does yield the Standard Floppy Disk Controller but
there is no "removable" option. However, when searching for all drivers,
only the installed FDD Controller driver is shown. Also, following your
advice, I did boot into Safe Mode and there was only 1 controller, so we're
fine there.

I'd rather stay with the current power supply since it may be a ribbon cable
problem--which I will investigate first.

By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left or the
right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to pin 1 on the
motherboard.

I'm going to whip this thing--as long as it's not the controller itself.
It's just so strange that the orientation of the red stripe has no effect on
fixing the problem.

Thanks as always for your input.
 
G

glee

"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:%23K6nDkyUIHA.4768@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> "PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
> news:uhhRm%23XUIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> DaffyD® wrote:
>> | This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
>> |
>> | Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with
>> | pin 1 on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned
>> | correctly at the FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD
>> | spun around like a CD drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon
>> | cable at the FDD--still the same result. At that point, I just gave
>> | up and pulled out the power connector from the FDD.
>> |
>> | I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable
>> | being connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going
>> | on. Again, this drive operated fine before I installed a power
>> | supply. I've searched through Google for other answers but no luck.
>> | Might be time to save up the money to take the box to a tech since I
>> | am stumped.
>>
>> Yep, try a new cable as the others have said. A dozen & a half computer
>> experts are rarely all wrong when they all say more/less the same thing
>> twice!
>>
>> But here again are the settings I mentioned in the other thread...
>>
>> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
>> (2) Open the "Disk drives" branch.
>> (3) D-Clk the floppy drive that appears under it for Properties.
>> (Mine is "Generic NEC Floppy Disk".)
>> (4) At the Settings tab, ensure "Removable" is checked.
>> (It just sounds as if that might relate.)
>>
>> Boot to Safe Mode (Hold F5 or Ctrl as you boot), &...
>>
>> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
>> (2) Open the "Floppy disk controllers" branch.
>>
>> If there are more than one controller in this branch, you may have
>> a "ghost". Therefore, delete them all, & reboot to Normal Mode. Point it
>> to the folder that contains your .cabs, if asked.
>>
>> But, if there is already just one driver there, then...
>>
>> (3) D-Clk the controller that appears under it for Properties.
>> (Mine is "Standard Floppy Disk Controller".)
>> (4) At the Driver tab, click the "Update Driver" button.
>> (5) Click the "Next" button.
>> (6) Bolt "Display a list of drivers...", & click "Next".
>> (7) Bolt "Show all hardware".
>>
>> Examine the screen. Mine is "Standard floppy disk controllers" in the
>> Manufacturers (left) pane & "Standard Floppy Disk Controller" in the
>> Models (right) pane. But I have four other choices there in the left
>> pane-- including "Compaq". As one clicks them in the left pane,
>> descriptive info shows up in the right pane. Perhaps, state what you
>> see. It could be worthwhile to go to another and back to the original
>> just to shake things up. To switch, select one, & click "Next".
>> (It seems odd mine is the Standard & not a Compaq controller. But, all
>> is working well, & I will let that be.)
>>
>> Finally... How tough would it be to go back to the smaller power supply,
>> in case
>> the floppy drives were somehow sensitive to that?
>>
>>
>> --
>> | { : [|]=( DaffyD®
>> |
>> | If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
>>
>> --
>> Thanks or Good Luck,
>> There may be humor in this post, and,
>> Naturally, you will not sue,
>> Should things get worse after this,
>> PCR
>> pcrrcp@netzero.net
>>
>> I apparently have a different configuration than you do. D-Clking on the
> Floppy Disk Controller does yield the Standard Floppy Disk Controller but
> there is no "removable" option. However, when searching for all drivers,
> only the installed FDD Controller driver is shown. Also, following your
> advice, I did boot into Safe Mode and there was only 1 controller, so we're
> fine there.
>
> I'd rather stay with the current power supply since it may be a ribbon cable
> problem--which I will investigate first.
>
> By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left or the
> right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to pin 1 on the
> motherboard.
>
> I'm going to whip this thing--as long as it's not the controller itself.
> It's just so strange that the orientation of the red stripe has no effect on
> fixing the problem.
>
> Thanks as always for your input.

Hopefully it is the ribbon cable and not the controller. I believe I did already
mention somewhere in this or your previous thread, that I once had this problem and
it turned out to be the circuit board on floppy drive itself that was the problem.
Replacing the drive fixed it. YMMV.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm
 
D

DaffyD®

"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
news:%23mLBmB0UIHA.4360@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%23K6nDkyUIHA.4768@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >
> > "PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
> > news:uhhRm%23XUIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> >> DaffyD® wrote:
> >> | This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
> >> |
> >> | Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with
> >> | pin 1 on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned
> >> | correctly at the FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD
> >> | spun around like a CD drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon
> >> | cable at the FDD--still the same result. At that point, I just gave
> >> | up and pulled out the power connector from the FDD.
> >> |
> >> | I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable
> >> | being connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going
> >> | on. Again, this drive operated fine before I installed a power
> >> | supply. I've searched through Google for other answers but no luck.
> >> | Might be time to save up the money to take the box to a tech since I
> >> | am stumped.
> >>
> >> Yep, try a new cable as the others have said. A dozen & a half computer
> >> experts are rarely all wrong when they all say more/less the same thing
> >> twice!
> >>
> >> But here again are the settings I mentioned in the other thread...
> >>
> >> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
> >> (2) Open the "Disk drives" branch.
> >> (3) D-Clk the floppy drive that appears under it for Properties.
> >> (Mine is "Generic NEC Floppy Disk".)
> >> (4) At the Settings tab, ensure "Removable" is checked.
> >> (It just sounds as if that might relate.)
> >>
> >> Boot to Safe Mode (Hold F5 or Ctrl as you boot), &...
> >>
> >> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
> >> (2) Open the "Floppy disk controllers" branch.
> >>
> >> If there are more than one controller in this branch, you may
have
> >> a "ghost". Therefore, delete them all, & reboot to Normal Mode. Point
it
> >> to the folder that contains your .cabs, if asked.
> >>
> >> But, if there is already just one driver there, then...
> >>
> >> (3) D-Clk the controller that appears under it for Properties.
> >> (Mine is "Standard Floppy Disk Controller".)
> >> (4) At the Driver tab, click the "Update Driver" button.
> >> (5) Click the "Next" button.
> >> (6) Bolt "Display a list of drivers...", & click "Next".
> >> (7) Bolt "Show all hardware".
> >>
> >> Examine the screen. Mine is "Standard floppy disk controllers" in the
> >> Manufacturers (left) pane & "Standard Floppy Disk Controller" in the
> >> Models (right) pane. But I have four other choices there in the left
> >> pane-- including "Compaq". As one clicks them in the left pane,
> >> descriptive info shows up in the right pane. Perhaps, state what you
> >> see. It could be worthwhile to go to another and back to the original
> >> just to shake things up. To switch, select one, & click "Next".
> >> (It seems odd mine is the Standard & not a Compaq controller. But, all
> >> is working well, & I will let that be.)
> >>
> >> Finally... How tough would it be to go back to the smaller power
supply,
> >> in case
> >> the floppy drives were somehow sensitive to that?
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> | { : [|]=( DaffyD®
> >> |
> >> | If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Thanks or Good Luck,
> >> There may be humor in this post, and,
> >> Naturally, you will not sue,
> >> Should things get worse after this,
> >> PCR
> >> pcrrcp@netzero.net
> >>
> >> I apparently have a different configuration than you do. D-Clking on
the
> > Floppy Disk Controller does yield the Standard Floppy Disk Controller
but
> > there is no "removable" option. However, when searching for all drivers,
> > only the installed FDD Controller driver is shown. Also, following your
> > advice, I did boot into Safe Mode and there was only 1 controller, so
we're
> > fine there.
> >
> > I'd rather stay with the current power supply since it may be a ribbon
cable
> > problem--which I will investigate first.
> >
> > By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left or
the
> > right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to pin 1 on the
> > motherboard.
> >
> > I'm going to whip this thing--as long as it's not the controller itself.
> > It's just so strange that the orientation of the red stripe has no
effect on
> > fixing the problem.
> >
> > Thanks as always for your input.
>
> Hopefully it is the ribbon cable and not the controller. I believe I did
already
> mention somewhere in this or your previous thread, that I once had this
problem and
> it turned out to be the circuit board on floppy drive itself that was the
problem.
> Replacing the drive fixed it. YMMV.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> http://dts-l.net/
> http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

Thanks for your input, Glenn.

A faulty drive was my first thought so I bought a new one but still had the
same problem. I don't see how a new power supply could cause this but
that's when the problem started and that's what's so maddening about this
situation.

I've already replaced the drive. As I see it, if I replace the ribbon cable
and the problem still exists, then a damaged FDD controller on the
motherboard must be the culprit. If that's the case, I'll just have to go
without a FDD on this computer.




>
 
B

Ben Myers

"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message news:#UxdXZDUIHA.6036@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
> Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with pin 1
> on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at the
> FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a CD
> drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
> same result. At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
> connector from the FDD.
> I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable being
> connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again, this
> drive operated fine before I installed a power supply. I've searched
> through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up the
> money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.

See if the power supply has a 115/230 volts switch. If so, make sure it is
set to 115.

Ben
 
P

philo


> > >>
> > >> I apparently have a different configuration than you do. D-Clking on
> the
> > > Floppy Disk Controller does yield the Standard Floppy Disk Controller
> but
> > > there is no "removable" option. However, when searching for all
drivers,
> > > only the installed FDD Controller driver is shown. Also, following
your
> > > advice, I did boot into Safe Mode and there was only 1 controller, so
> we're
> > > fine there.
> > >
> > > I'd rather stay with the current power supply since it may be a ribbon
> cable
> > > problem--which I will investigate first.
> > >
> > > By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left
or
> the
> > > right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to pin 1 on
the
> > > motherboard.
> > >
> > > I'm going to whip this thing--as long as it's not the controller
itself.
> > > It's just so strange that the orientation of the red stripe has no
> effect on
> > > fixing the problem.
> > >
> > > Thanks as always for your input.
> >
> > Hopefully it is the ribbon cable and not the controller. I believe I
did
> already
> > mention somewhere in this or your previous thread, that I once had this
> problem and
> > it turned out to be the circuit board on floppy drive itself that was
the
> problem.
> > Replacing the drive fixed it. YMMV.
> > --
> > Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> > http://dts-l.net/
> > http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm
>
> Thanks for your input, Glenn.
>
> A faulty drive was my first thought so I bought a new one but still had
the
> same problem. I don't see how a new power supply could cause this but
> that's when the problem started and that's what's so maddening about this
> situation.
>
> I've already replaced the drive. As I see it, if I replace the ribbon
cable
> and the problem still exists, then a damaged FDD controller on the
> motherboard must be the culprit. If that's the case, I'll just have to go
> without a FDD on this computer.
>
>
>

There is one thing I just thought of...
when you were advised to flip around the ribbon cable...
you should have reveresed ONLY the ribbon cable at the floppy

I don't know if you did that or possibly flipped the entire cable around
 
P

PCR

DaffyD® wrote:
| "PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
| news:uhhRm%23XUIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
|> DaffyD® wrote:
|> | This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
|> |
|> | Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned
|> | with pin 1 on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned
|> | correctly at the FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the
|> | FDD spun around like a CD drive. I then tried flipping over the
|> | ribbon cable at the FDD--still the same result. At that point, I
|> | just gave up and pulled out the power connector from the FDD.
|> |
|> | I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable
|> | being connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going
|> | on. Again, this drive operated fine before I installed a power
|> | supply. I've searched through Google for other answers but no
|> | luck. Might be time to save up the money to take the box to a tech
|> | since I am stumped.
|>
|> Yep, try a new cable as the others have said. A dozen & a half
|> computer experts are rarely all wrong when they all say more/less
|> the same thing twice!
|>
|> But here again are the settings I mentioned in the other thread...
|>
|> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
|> (2) Open the "Disk drives" branch.
|> (3) D-Clk the floppy drive that appears under it for Properties.
|> (Mine is "Generic NEC Floppy Disk".)
|> (4) At the Settings tab, ensure "Removable" is checked.
|> (It just sounds as if that might relate.)
|>
|> Boot to Safe Mode (Hold F5 or Ctrl as you boot), &...
|>
|> (1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
|> (2) Open the "Floppy disk controllers" branch.
|>
|> If there are more than one controller in this branch, you may
|> have a "ghost". Therefore, delete them all, & reboot to Normal Mode.
|> Point it to the folder that contains your .cabs, if asked.
|>
|> But, if there is already just one driver there, then...
|>
|> (3) D-Clk the controller that appears under it for Properties.
|> (Mine is "Standard Floppy Disk Controller".)
|> (4) At the Driver tab, click the "Update Driver" button.
|> (5) Click the "Next" button.
|> (6) Bolt "Display a list of drivers...", & click "Next".
|> (7) Bolt "Show all hardware".
|>
|> Examine the screen. Mine is "Standard floppy disk controllers" in the
|> Manufacturers (left) pane & "Standard Floppy Disk Controller" in the
|> Models (right) pane. But I have four other choices there in the left
|> pane-- including "Compaq". As one clicks them in the left pane,
|> descriptive info shows up in the right pane. Perhaps, state what you
|> see. It could be worthwhile to go to another and back to the original
|> just to shake things up. To switch, select one, & click "Next".
|> (It seems odd mine is the Standard & not a Compaq controller. But,
|> all is working well, & I will let that be.)
|>
|> Finally... How tough would it be to go back to the smaller power
|> supply, in case
|> the floppy drives were somehow sensitive to that?
|>
|>
|> --
|> | { : [|]=( DaffyD®
|> |
|> | If I knew where I was I'd be there now.

....snip
| I apparently have a different configuration than you do. D-Clking on
| the
| Floppy Disk Controller does yield the Standard Floppy Disk Controller
| but there is no "removable" option.

No! It's the "Disk drives" branch that has that...

(1) "Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
(2) Open the "Disk drives" branch.
(3) D-Clk the floppy drive that appears under it for Properties.
(Mine is "Generic NEC Floppy Disk".)
(4) At the Settings tab, ensure "Removable" is checked.
(It just sounds as if that might relate.)

That one you ought look at in Normal Mode.

| However, when searching for all
| drivers, only the installed FDD Controller driver is shown. Also,
| following your advice, I did boot into Safe Mode and there was only 1
| controller, so we're fine there.

Yea. As you looked at the controller in Safe Mode & no ghost showed up,
sounds like it's OK, if it looked just like mine... "Standard Floppy
Disk Controller".

| I'd rather stay with the current power supply since it may be a
| ribbon cable problem--which I will investigate first.

Yep. Continue your investigation. Has it been said whether the floppy is
constantly spinning in Safe Mode too? How about when you boot to DOS? If
it happens on a boot to DOS-- I think it would have to be something
physical at fault!

| By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left
| or the right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to
| pin 1 on the motherboard.

I don't know. I've been in my box, but never had cause to examine or
fiddle with the floppy derive. And I dread the day I ever will need to
now!

I do have a floppy drive in my hands pulled from someone's discarded ME
machine. It is a SONY MPF920-Z. The red strip on the data cable
(labelled FC-34P?) is on the end of the cable that is closest to its
twisted portion (of looks like 7 wires). When plugged in, that red
stripe ends up in the middle of the drive right next to where the power
will plug in. But this cable has a raise plastic portion on its
connector that fits into a slot on the floppy drive. I guess (& too bad)
they don't all have that.

| I'm going to whip this thing--as long as it's not the controller
| itself. It's just so strange that the orientation of the red stripe
| has no effect on fixing the problem.

Keep at it. Since yours is tough to get at, ensure everything else
around it looks like they aren't getting unplugged or loosened when you
put things back together.

| Thanks as always for your input.

You are welcome.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net
 
P

PCR

PCR wrote:
| DaffyD® wrote:
|| "PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
|| news:uhhRm%23XUIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
||> DaffyD® wrote:

....snip
|| By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left
|| or the right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to
|| pin 1 on the motherboard.
|
| I don't know. I've been in my box, but never had cause to examine or
| fiddle with the floppy derive. And I dread the day I ever will need to
| now!
|
| I do have a floppy drive in my hands pulled from someone's discarded
| ME machine. It is a SONY MPF920-Z. The red strip on the data cable
| (labelled FC-34P?) is on the end of the cable that is closest to its
| twisted portion (of looks like 7 wires). When plugged in, that red
| stripe ends up in the middle of the drive right next to where the
| power will plug in. But this cable has a raise plastic portion on its
| connector that fits into a slot on the floppy drive. I guess (& too
| bad) they don't all have that.

Sheesh! Now, I've pulled the data cable out-- & I see there is slot on
both sides of the floppy drive case. So, that doesn't help! The cable
connector can flipped & still match!

HOWEVER, there is an arrow on the drive case that seems to point to the
side that gets the red stripe. Look for that!
 
D

DaffyD®

"philo" <philo@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:%23B88U13UIHA.5288@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
>
> > > >>
> > > >> I apparently have a different configuration than you do. D-Clking
on
> > the
> > > > Floppy Disk Controller does yield the Standard Floppy Disk
Controller
> > but
> > > > there is no "removable" option. However, when searching for all
> drivers,
> > > > only the installed FDD Controller driver is shown. Also, following
> your
> > > > advice, I did boot into Safe Mode and there was only 1 controller,
so
> > we're
> > > > fine there.
> > > >
> > > > I'd rather stay with the current power supply since it may be a
ribbon
> > cable
> > > > problem--which I will investigate first.
> > > >
> > > > By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left
> or
> > the
> > > > right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to pin 1 on
> the
> > > > motherboard.
> > > >
> > > > I'm going to whip this thing--as long as it's not the controller
> itself.
> > > > It's just so strange that the orientation of the red stripe has no
> > effect on
> > > > fixing the problem.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks as always for your input.
> > >
> > > Hopefully it is the ribbon cable and not the controller. I believe I
> did
> > already
> > > mention somewhere in this or your previous thread, that I once had
this
> > problem and
> > > it turned out to be the circuit board on floppy drive itself that was
> the
> > problem.
> > > Replacing the drive fixed it. YMMV.
> > > --
> > > Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> > > http://dts-l.net/
> > > http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm
> >
> > Thanks for your input, Glenn.
> >
> > A faulty drive was my first thought so I bought a new one but still had
> the
> > same problem. I don't see how a new power supply could cause this but
> > that's when the problem started and that's what's so maddening about
this
> > situation.
> >
> > I've already replaced the drive. As I see it, if I replace the ribbon
> cable
> > and the problem still exists, then a damaged FDD controller on the
> > motherboard must be the culprit. If that's the case, I'll just have to
go
> > without a FDD on this computer.
> >
> >
> >
>
> There is one thing I just thought of...
> when you were advised to flip around the ribbon cable...
> you should have reveresed ONLY the ribbon cable at the floppy
>
> I don't know if you did that or possibly flipped the entire cable around
>
> I've tried that, too. This is why I'm thinking that it's not the reversed
cable scenario.
 
D

DaffyD®

"PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:%235nTs1%23UIHA.4740@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> PCR wrote:
> | DaffyD® wrote:
> || "PCR" <pcrrcp@netzero.net> wrote in message
> || news:uhhRm%23XUIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> ||> DaffyD® wrote:
>
> ...snip
> || By the way, is the pin 1 stripe on your FDD ribbon cable on the left
> || or the right? Mine is on the right but that side leads directly to
> || pin 1 on the motherboard.
> |
> | I don't know. I've been in my box, but never had cause to examine or
> | fiddle with the floppy derive. And I dread the day I ever will need to
> | now!
> |
> | I do have a floppy drive in my hands pulled from someone's discarded
> | ME machine. It is a SONY MPF920-Z. The red strip on the data cable
> | (labelled FC-34P?) is on the end of the cable that is closest to its
> | twisted portion (of looks like 7 wires). When plugged in, that red
> | stripe ends up in the middle of the drive right next to where the
> | power will plug in. But this cable has a raise plastic portion on its
> | connector that fits into a slot on the floppy drive. I guess (& too
> | bad) they don't all have that.
>
> Sheesh! Now, I've pulled the data cable out-- & I see there is slot on
> both sides of the floppy drive case. So, that doesn't help! The cable
> connector can flipped & still match!
>
> HOWEVER, there is an arrow on the drive case that seems to point to the
> side that gets the red stripe. Look for that!
>
> I wish my life were that simple, but there's no arrow. Also, the power
connector can be reversed and the drive will still work, again raising the
question does the red wire go on the left or the right?

I curse the guy that built my computer all these many years ago. Since then
I've built my own computer (which went kaput thru no fault of mine) and have
been inside this one numerous times. I don't mind unplugging things--I've
installed hard and cd rom drives, memory, video and sound cards, and now a
floppy disk drive. This was the first time I ever installed a power supply
and besides the floppy thing, everything else works perfectly.
--
{ : [|]=( DaffyD®

If I knew where I was I'd be there now.
 
B

Buffalo

PCR wrote:
> Sheesh! Now, I've pulled the data cable out-- & I see there is slot on
> both sides of the floppy drive case. So, that doesn't help! The cable
> connector can flipped & still match!
>
> HOWEVER, there is an arrow on the drive case that seems to point to
> the side that gets the red stripe. Look for that!

Happy New Year PCR!!!
I always enjoy your posts. :) :)
 
D

DaffyD®

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message
news:enHpDK1UIHA.2368@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message
news:#UxdXZDUIHA.6036@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> This is a follow up to 2 previous posts in this newsgroup.
> Ok, I confirmed that the FDD ribbon cable red stripe was aligned with pin
1
> on the motherboard. I then confirmed it was also aligned correctly at the
> FDD. Still got the constant green LED while the FDD spun around like a CD
> drive. I then tried flipping over the ribbon cable at the FDD--still the
> same result. At that point, I just gave up and pulled out the power
> connector from the FDD.
> I'm of the opinion that this is not just a case of the ribbon cable being
> connected incorrectly, but that there's something else going on. Again,
this
> drive operated fine before I installed a power supply. I've searched
> through Google for other answers but no luck. Might be time to save up the
> money to take the box to a tech since I am stumped.

See if the power supply has a 115/230 volts switch. If so, make sure it is
set to 115.

Ben

Thanks for the tip, Ben. It was set to 115 by default. However, I tried
unplugging the cable from the floppy, powered up the computer, and the green
light still remained on. The problem is with the power supply but that's as
far as I can get since I don't have the equipment to test voltage and such.
 
T

thanafart

"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in
news:uF7tV0AVIHA.1480@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:

<SNIP>

> Thanks for the tip, Ben. It was set to 115 by default.
> However, I tried unplugging the cable from the floppy,
> powered up the computer, and the green light still remained
> on. The problem is with the power supply but that's as far
> as I can get since I don't have the equipment to test
> voltage and such.

I don't know anymore... You are either a genius troll or a
complete moron with even less of a life than I, your humble
thanatoid. Either way, my hat is off to you.

I admit I have only seen about 20 sets of floppies and cables
but they all had red lines AND raised arrows. And many (if not
all) cables only went in one way. And a cable can be gotten for
free at ANY computer shop and a floppy drive is $5. And a basic
power supply can be borrowed for free or bought for $10.

Also, even under 98 you can do everything with a CD-R that you
could ever need to do with a floppy.

'Hall of Fame' for you, oh my droog and brother.


--
Better a cruel truth than a comfortable delusion.
Edward Abbey (1927 - 1989)
 
B

Ben Myers

"DaffyD®" <daffyd@woohoo.com> wrote in message news:uF7tV0AVIHA.1480@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for the tip, Ben. It was set to 115 by default. However, I tried
> unplugging the cable from the floppy, powered up the computer, and the green
> light still remained on. The problem is with the power supply but that's as
> far as I can get since I don't have the equipment to test voltage and such.

Check the power supply plugs on the floppy cable. They are supposed
to be designed to prevent accidental reversal, but they are somewhat
symmetrical and could be causing the problem.

Ben
 
P

PCR

Buffalo wrote:
| PCR wrote:
|> Sheesh! Now, I've pulled the data cable out-- & I see there is slot
|> on both sides of the floppy drive case. So, that doesn't help! The
|> cable connector can flipped & still match!
................................ ^...be
|>
|> HOWEVER, there is an arrow on the drive case that seems to point to
|> the side that gets the red stripe. Look for that!
|
| Happy New Year PCR!!!

Happy New Year, Buffalo-- & everyone. May you never have to fiddle with
floppy drive plugs like DaffyD®-- or anyone!

| I always enjoy your posts. :) :)

:).


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net
 
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