Interesting question re floppy drive data cable...

[Guest_imported]

On many of the machines I build, a second floppy drive is never required. Often the floppy drive ribbon cable is far too long and I end up slicing off the "unwanted" piece, just leaving the short "twisted" section. This works fine on all motherboards except just one - the Gigabyte GA-7ZXE. The drive initialises ok, passes POST test etc., but refuses to read disks. Put a longer cable back on it and it's fine. Why? I can only assume that this specific mobo is very sensitive to reduced impedance (inductance and/or capacitance) etc., in the shortened cable.

Anyone care to offer further explanations?


ROGER - GØAOZ.

 

[edfair]

How about putting a slowdown program on it and see if it is speed related?
Computers seem to be progressing in the "When they are good, they are really good, but when they are bad, they are really, really bad". 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.

 

[Guest_imported]

Thanks for the suggestion Ed... Haven't had the need to use a slowdown prog before - what would you recommend please?


ROGER - GØAOZ

 

[edfair]

If you go to qaug.com, there is one call moslo linked there.
And if slowing it down helps I think it would indicate a BIOS error. 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.

 

[Guest_imported]

Have been waiting for another batch of this particular board to arrive... Would you believe it, these new ones don't give the floppy drive read error when I reduce the cable length! If one of the old ones comes back in again, I'll try that software Ed.

I think I can hear the gremlins laughing...!


ROGER - GØAOZ.