OT: PC Floppy problem

[Rassilon]

Sorry for posting a PC prob to here, but you guys are always helpful.

Basically I was given a used PC, where the floppy drive would read disks ok, but would not write to them properly (errors) and it would not do a full format.

Thinking the drive was knackered I replaced it, but still get the same errors. I have tested the various motherboard chips etc using Norton utilites and they are reported as okay, and all the other bits haging off the mobo work ok.

Anyone got any suggestions? :-(

Cheers

Rassilon

[Quixote]

;-) Off the top of my head, it occurs to me that writing to the diskette requires more power than reading.  If your power supply is taxed just to the edge of its capacity…  But that’s unlikely.  More likely is that has to do with the power cable or connector.  Check that they’re clean, etc.  Also, try using another power lead, if there is one.

Lastly, perhaps it is to do with the data ribbon cable to the controller.  If one of its leads has a break in it, there might be symptoms like that.

:-( After that, I’m tapped out.

[whabang]

I agree with Windmill-man. Try another floppy cable if possible...

[Rassilon]

Cheers lads!!! :-)

after I posted I reasoned that it had to be something simple like the cable.

Thanks again

Rassilon

[Rassilon]

OK, update:

I purchased a new cable, installed it, and things were working ok.... for a short time before I got the same fault  :-(

I then tried a different power cable - no difference
I then tried a different BIOS setting or two - no difference

About the only thing that I can think of that I haven't tried is another PSU. The current one is a 200W model, running a P200MMX, 1xHD (4GB?) 1xCDROM and about 4xPCI cards, oh and the mobo  ;-)

Is it possbile that there is not enough power? I could try removing the CDROM (would be the easiest, cos I don't fancy mucking about with all the PCI cards!)

Any opinions?  :-)

Cheers

Rassilon