Floppy disk problems in winXP pro :-( 1

[yair75]

Hello everybody,
This is my first thread here, I hope the new guys are welcomed. But it does look like a serious forum.
However, I have this really odd problen, that no one I have talked with is aware of. My Floppy disk drive doesn't function properly under winXP pro (I should note that when I boot up the pc using win98 it is just fine).
Problem description: It identifies the files on the floppy after system boot up. Thus far, all function well. When I change to another floppy, I still see the files of the previous one. No refreshing/closing and reopening the explorer window helps. Also problem with formatting, and writing files.
Since it's not a problem of a defected floppy drive (see italics comment above), and there aren't any special drivers for winXP to support floppy drives (with any motherboard - as far as I know, but just in case I have ASUS P4S533VM), it seems like the only problem that comes into consideration is a damaged winXP installation. Does anybody have a clue how can fix this problem without reinstalling the entire system?
And if i have no choice and I will have to do it, will I lose any data? Will I have to install the sevice packs and windows updates from new?
Any help will be appreciated, as I found it no where else.
Thanks
George

 

[browolf]

sounds like some auto-insert-notification problem, tho that's normally associated with cdrom drives. i dont know if such a thing exists on floppy drives.

the formatting and writing problems may also be because xp is confused about what disk is in the drive.

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[smah]

Even though it relates to cd rom's, see if this helps:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314939

 

[linney]

Does the device manager show the floppy drive as working properly ?
If not it has troubleshooting and driver options.
Try going into the Device Manager and remove the floppy drive controller there. Reboot and let the system detect/reinstall the controller.

140060 - Error Accessing Floppy Disks Using Windows NT

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;140060&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

266402 - Contents of the Disk Drive Are Not Displayed on the Computer Screen

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;266402&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Very Strange... Floppy not readable in XP????
thread779-453058

Some other things to try.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[Mulga]

Also note that XP is much more sensitive to minor hardware faults than 9X was. I have several times found hardware faults that caused no problems on 98 but showed up on XP, one in particular was a keyboard, worked fine on 98 but the system would not boot into XP, replaced the keyboard and all was OK. Floppy drives are notorious for partial failure, if the other advice fails I would try another drive. Help us to help you, please post back and tell us if this helped.
All things are possible except skiing through a revolving door.

 

[davidelnormal]

I know that you are of the belief that the floppy drive is OK, but it wouldn't do any harm to replace it and see if that makes a difference.....dave

 

[yair75]

Thanks for al the replies. Meanwhile the problem is still there, after trying some of the sugegstions.
To linney: The device manager doesn't indicate anything wrong with the floppy drive or controller.
A correction: Formating does function, just takes a hell of a long time. So I tried testing this problem with 2 disks that were formatted under xp, but the results are the same.
Tomorrow (late night now...) I will try the suggestion of Davidelnormal and replace the floppy drive, will keep you updated.
I agree about all the bad things that were said about floppy drives, the sooner that they will disappear, the better will it be for the humanity. Also today the only use I have for a floppy is as a rescue disk for Ghost, and maybe for transferring small documents once a year. They must think of a better solution (e.g. small and cheap bootable usb flash drives).
Thanks again
George

 

[yair75]

Hi, Davidelnormal, you were perfectly right. Replacing the floppy disk frive solved the problem. I guess it's tru that winXP is more sensitive to hardware problems than win98.
Many thanks
George

 

[yair75]

Sorry, I should thank Mulga too! So thanks a lot Mulga!!