FDC Failure

[techlink]

I have a dell dimension L933r that won't boot up it just gives me an error that says FDC Failure Press <Del> to Resume.
When I press <Del> it says Invalid Boot Diskette Insert BOOT diskette in A: I do this and get the same Invalid Boot Disk error. What's up with this? There have been no hardware or software changes. Would it mean the drive is bad?

 

[bcastner]

Check all cables.
Restart, and set the BIOS boot order so that the floppy drive is not first; make your hard drive first. If possible, disable the floppy disk drive in the boot order.

This should allow it to boot.

Now the hard part. Half of the floppy controller is on the motherboard, and half of it is on the drive itself. If you never need a floppy drive, disable (not uninstall) it in device manager and never worry about it again.

As a guess, the issue is the floppy drive itself. You can test by plugging another floppy in its place.

 

[satrow]

CMOS battery exhausted? Fit a new one and reset per bcastner's instructions...

Andy.

 

[techlink]

I replaced the cable with a new one and also changed the boot order to hard drive then cd no floppy, still get the same errors.

 

[techlink]

I'll pick up a battery tomorrow and try that too.

 

[techlink]

I found a good used battery from another system still get the same errors.

 

[micker377]

In CMOS setup, do you have a line that says something about "stop on ---- error"? If so, make sure it is set NOT to stop on errors. If this works, you can play with the items mentioned (keyboard, hard drive, etc.), to find out how many you can set to stop before it prevents you from booting.

 

[Frank4d]

This error can happen if your floppy drive has gone bad... even if it is not set as a boot device. If the advice offered above doesn't solve your problem, try unplugging the floppy drive.

 

[techlink]

I didn't find a stop on error in cmos setup but I did unplug the floppy... still have same error

 

[techlink]

I swapped out the floppy drive with a good used one still no difference. Would it be possible that the power supply to the floppy is bad? there is only one floppy power connection off of the power supply so I can't try another one.
The owner said they had a power outage last week, I wonder if it may have cause a power surge.

 

[micker377]

They make adapters (four pin molex to floppy type plug). Get one and check a different power lead.

 

[techlink]

I know they have adaptors it's just a 60 miles trip to go get one! I did however put a voltage tester on it and it shows 10 volts AC and the drive does work in another computer. I'm thinking maybe time for a new motherboard?

 

[micker377]

Before you order a new mobo, can you swap out the power supply? Your power to the floppy terminal should be 5.volt, or 12.volt.

 

[techlink]

I did manage to get the computer to start, when it came to the prompt to press <del> I pressed F8 and then chose the option to start windows normally. The computer runs very slow, I updated Norton Antivirus and am running virus scan now, so far it has detected 17 threats and fixed 1. I also ran adaware and removed 17 critical objects before I ran virus scan. Could this be the cause of the FDC error?

 

[techlink]

As far as swapping power supply, I don't have one that is configured the same as this one, It seems to me I have run into this with Dell power supplies before.
After the virus removal I restarted, the same error is still here press delete and computer attempts to start but needs to run scandisk, gets to 33% and stays there, it is running windows xp upgraded from ME

 

[edfair]

I would agree that it is time for a new M/B. Usual steps in other than DELL would be to disable the onboard FDC and put in an expansion card FDC but I'm not sure the dimension allows it. And it would probably require an ISA slot which may not be available.
Motor control to the floppy at 10v shouldn't be a problem.

Micker,
The hard drive connector is AMP. The 3 1/2 floppy connector is Molex. There is a 4 pin Molex but it doesn't work.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[micker377]

edfair:
Not to start an argument, but since power supplies are designed for a regulated +5, -5, +12, and -12 (among other regulated voltages for memory, CPU, etc.), I believe a reading of 10v. would be a sign of a possible problem.

 

[techlink]

I did check the voltage in the other computer that I tested the drive in and it shows 10volts also so either they are both going bad or my meter is off. Anyway, I was talking to someone today who said it is possible that the floppy drive controller could have been hijacked by spyware. So I am running a scan on it in another computer we'll see.

 

[edfair]

I wouldn't be happy with one at 10 volts either. But snce it is 232 rail voltage and hard drive motor supply it should be enough to spin the floppy if it spins the HD.
Since the failure is before the drive spin up I discounted the effect.
And with a possible meter boo-boo it is probably OK.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[techlink]

I am currently up and running! I reformatted hard drive reinstalled windows and now no FDC errors and the floppy drive works. I'm thinking it may have been virus or spyware related