New computer problem

[Full Monty]

So I just assembled a new computer for myself and it is the first time I have done it. I am having trouble getting it to boot from the floppy drive. I've messed with the BIOS setting so that the boot order looks for the floppy first, but when it prompts me to put the boot disk in, I do so and it doesn't even seem to be trying. It is hooked up to the power supply and the IDE cable is in the right way. Any suggestions as to what may be the problem? I am kinda stuck without a computer until I get this fixed. Thanks.

[Tico]

Maybe to obvious but the floppy doesn't work off a normal IDE cable, You are using a floppy drive cable correct?

And in the BIOS you have it set as a 1.44 MB floppy and not a 2.? or a 720 floppy?

[Hiro]

Originally posted by Tico
Maybe to obvious but the floppy doesn't work off a normal IDE cable, You are using a floppy drive cable correct?

And in the BIOS you have it set as a 1.44 MB floppy and not a 2.? or a 720 floppy?
it would take a LOT of force to put a standard IDE onto a Floppy Drive. :P

Most current motherboards don't even come with a 3.5 inch floppy drive option (or drive B:).

Try replacing the Floppy Cable itself. Also, make sure the floppy light isn't on all the time. If it is, then the cable is just backwards. Simple solution, turn it around.

Also, try replacing the drive if the first two don't work.

The fourth option is to boot from CD then worry about the Floppy drive later. :) Simply change the first boot device to your CD-ROM drive and put in a Windows CD.

Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP (Pro or Home) all boot from CD.

I am not sure about Windows 95, but you wouldn't be installing that anyway.

[Tico]

Originally posted by Corsec

it would take a LOT of force to put a standard IDE onto a Floppy Drive. :P




I am sure someone has..... BWAAAHAHHAHAAAA :eek: :D :P

[Full Monty]

Sorry, my mistake with words. I am using a floppy cable. The drive light is on all the time, but I have tried flipping the cable around and nothing different happens.

I will try going from a CD and let you all know what happens. Thanks guys.

[Full Monty]

Well, got the OS installed, but my floppy still doesn't work, so it gives me an error every time I boot up and I have to press F1 to continue. Still don't know what the problem is with it, but we have made progress :)

[Hoser]

I'd say break down and buy a new floppy drive. Since they're around $15, it's not too big of an investment.

[Tommy Boomfiger]

Originally posted by Corsec
Most current motherboards don't even come with a 3.5 inch floppy drive option (or drive B:).i thought only a few legacy free mobos dont come with a floppy bus. the ones that do dont need 2 connections, just one and you can connect 2 floppy drives, just like with hard drive.

[sbp]

I've only seen a few motherboards that don't have a floppy.

[Full Monty]

No, DarkFury, by "flipping it around" I did not mean swapping ends.

Still not sure what is wrong with it, but hopefully time will tell . . .

[Hiro]

Originally posted by DarkFury
either that or the floppy drive is bad
:stupid:

the drive is most likely bad. i've seen very few cables go out on me. :P

[Showtime]

Did you check the pins? If one is bent the signal will be messed up. You can straighten it out with pliers.
How old is the floppy? Borrow a friends or salvage another and try.
It even could be a bad mobo. Its rare and would suck but keep it in mind.
good luck,
-jel:halo:

[Full Monty]

OK I'll check the cable and pins. Thanks.