Help! Floppy drive refuses to read diskettes

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

Dale

2004-09-25 05:31:42 UTC

Okay
Suddenly, messages such "device is not ready" or "this
disk is not formatted, do you want to format it now"
started to appear when I insert floppy disks in the drive
A:
Worst thing the device manager won't let me to delete A:
dirve controllers (standard generic drivers) so Windows
can re-detect hardware as suggested here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;131690

Strange thing is why Windows won't let me delete current
drivers!!! it displays a message such "select + to
display a list of available drivers for this device"
though I select right controller (expand all drivers).
I made every suggestion from link above with no results
and I'm start guess with proper device failure.

This is a 6 years old IBM 350 model refurbished, Pentium
processor, 48 MB RAM, 2.1 GB HD, NEC floppy drive device.

P.S. I noticed 2 identic generic drivers duplicated
under "floppy disk controllers" in Device Manager.

Please help

Dale

Ron Martell

2004-09-25 18:02:59 UTC

Permalink

Post by Dale
Okay
Suddenly, messages such "device is not ready" or "this
disk is not formatted, do you want to format it now"
started to appear when I insert floppy disks in the drive
dirve controllers (standard generic drivers) so Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;131690
Strange thing is why Windows won't let me delete current
drivers!!! it displays a message such "select + to
display a list of available drivers for this device"
though I select right controller (expand all drivers).
I made every suggestion from link above with no results
and I'm start guess with proper device failure.
This is a 6 years old IBM 350 model refurbished, Pentium
processor, 48 MB RAM, 2.1 GB HD, NEC floppy drive device.
P.S. I noticed 2 identic generic drivers duplicated
under "floppy disk controllers" in Device Manager.
Please help

Boot the computer into Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key at the
"Starting Windows 95...." message and choosing Safe Mode from the
menu.

When it has booted into Safe Mode open Control Panel - Device Manager.
Delete all repeat all entries for this diskette drive in the Disk
Drives category and all repeat all entries in the floppy disk
controllers section.

Browse through the other categories in Device Manager as well. Where
duplicated items are found delete all instances of that item. There
is no way to determine which of the duplicates is the valid one. Also
delete any entries for devices that you know do not exist on the
computer and all entries in the "Other devices" category.

Note 1: Do not delete duplicated entries in the System Devices
category for "IRQ holder for PCI IRQ Steering" type entries as these
can be legitimately duplicated.

Note 2: Do not be concerned about the appearance of the screen in
Safe Mode and above all do not attempt to "fix" it. Safe Mode only
operates with 16 colors in 640 x 480 resolution and if attempt to
change it all you will do is to lock in the Safe Mode video settings
so that they will also be used on a normal startup.

When you have finished cleaning up Device Manager shut down and
restart the computer normally. Windows should detect and load a
single instance of the duplicated devices that you delete.

Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

If not then see if you can boot the computer using a Windows 95 boot
diskette. Get one from www.bootdisk.com if you do not have one
available. Make sure your BIOS setup is configured to boot from A:
drive first then C:

If the computer will not boot from a diskette then the problem is
hardware related - either a loose connection or a physical
malfunction.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Dale

2004-09-26 21:48:23 UTC

Permalink

Ron,
Thanks a lot for your detailed suggestions. When I boot in Safe mode: 1) I
do not see any entry for diskette drive in Disk Drive category, and 2)
Floppy disk controllers section does not appear where it should be (however
2 entries are listed here when PC is booted in normal mode. Thats why I said
before I cannot delete any entries when I'm in Safe mode.
Whats your suggestion? Thanks for your time.
Dale

Post by Ron Martell

Boot the computer into Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key at the
"Starting Windows 95...." message and choosing Safe Mode from the
menu.
When it has booted into Safe Mode open Control Panel - Device Manager.
Delete all repeat all entries for this diskette drive in the Disk
Drives category and all repeat all entries in the floppy disk
controllers section.
Browse through the other categories in Device Manager as well. Where
duplicated items are found delete all instances of that item. There
is no way to determine which of the duplicates is the valid one. Also
delete any entries for devices that you know do not exist on the
computer and all entries in the "Other devices" category.
Note 1: Do not delete duplicated entries in the System Devices
category for "IRQ holder for PCI IRQ Steering" type entries as these
can be legitimately duplicated.
Note 2: Do not be concerned about the appearance of the screen in
Safe Mode and above all do not attempt to "fix" it. Safe Mode only
operates with 16 colors in 640 x 480 resolution and if attempt to
change it all you will do is to lock in the Safe Mode video settings
so that they will also be used on a normal startup.
When you have finished cleaning up Device Manager shut down and
restart the computer normally. Windows should detect and load a
single instance of the duplicated devices that you delete.
Hopefully this will resolve the issue.
If not then see if you can boot the computer using a Windows 95 boot
diskette. Get one from www.bootdisk.com if you do not have one
If the computer will not boot from a diskette then the problem is
hardware related - either a loose connection or a physical
malfunction.
Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Ron Martell

2004-09-26 22:01:40 UTC

Permalink

Post by Dale
Ron,
Thanks a lot for your detailed suggestions. When I boot in Safe mode: 1) I
do not see any entry for diskette drive in Disk Drive category, and 2)
Floppy disk controllers section does not appear where it should be (however
2 entries are listed here when PC is booted in normal mode. Thats why I said
before I cannot delete any entries when I'm in Safe mode.
Whats your suggestion? Thanks for your time.
Dale

That is highly unusual behavior for Device Manager. In Safe Mode you
expect to see *everything* that is listed there on a normal startup
plus possibly some additional items because of registry entries left
behind for uninstalled items or from crashed install attempts.

You have already tried the one Knowledge Base article that might be
relevant.

I will have to check further and see what circumstances would result
in items not being listed in Device Manager when started in Safe Mode.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Dale

2004-09-26 22:29:48 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ron Martell

That is highly unusual behavior for Device Manager. In Safe Mode you
expect to see *everything* that is listed there on a normal startup
plus possibly some additional items because of registry entries left
behind for uninstalled items or from crashed install attempts.
You have already tried the one Knowledge Base article that might be
relevant.
I will have to check further and see what circumstances would result
in items not being listed in Device Manager when started in Safe Mode.
Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Ron,
Thanks a lot. I will try for all possible resolutions from that KB article.
Hope to rely on your help soon. Thanks.
Dale

Ron Martell

2004-09-27 05:02:40 UTC

Permalink

Post by Dale
Ron,
Thanks a lot. I will try for all possible resolutions from that KB article.
Hope to rely on your help soon. Thanks.
Dale

Hi Dale.

How comfortable are you with using specialized utilities on your
machine?

Have you ever used REGEDIT? That may be our next option.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Dale

2004-09-27 17:10:27 UTC

Permalink

Post by Ron Martell

Post by Dale
Ron,
Thanks a lot. I will try for all possible resolutions from that KB article.
Hope to rely on your help soon. Thanks.
Dale

Hi Dale.
How comfortable are you with using specialized utilities on your
machine?
Have you ever used REGEDIT? That may be our next option.
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Thanks Ron,
I've tried the other possible resolutions from KB131690 with no success.
Yes, I know about handling REGEDIT, what would be the next?
Thanks for your time.

Ron Martell

2004-09-30 00:28:28 UTC

Permalink

Post by Dale
Thanks Ron,
I've tried the other possible resolutions from KB131690 with no success.
Yes, I know about handling REGEDIT, what would be the next?
Thanks for your time.

Launch REGEDIT.
Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE category
Select the Enum folder
Use File - Save to export a copy of the Enum folder to a known,
readily accessible place (such as the desktop)
Browse through the Enum folder, locate and delete all of the entries
related to Floppy disk controllers or drives.
Shut down and restart the computer.

Windows should now automatically detect and install a single floppy
controller and single diskette drive item.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

Dale

2004-10-01 20:44:49 UTC

Permalink

Problem solved!
Incredibly, someone inserted one small plastic piece into floppy drive slot
which prevent drive to detect diskettes. This is a old IBM 350 from a friend
and I was trying to help her.
Following your suggestions, the only doubt I have is why the system won't
let me to delete any device controller, even after system booted in Safe
mode. I even tried deleting registry keys related to Floppy disks
controllers, shutting down and restarting computer as you suggest. No matter
what I do, identic duplicated floppy controllers reappears in Device Manager
window.

Ron, I really appreciate your help and time. Hope to rely on your support
soon.
Thanks a lot.

Dale

Post by Ron Martell

Post by Dale
Thanks Ron,
I've tried the other possible resolutions from KB131690 with no success.
Yes, I know about handling REGEDIT, what would be the next?
Thanks for your time.

Launch REGEDIT.
Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE category
Select the Enum folder
Use File - Save to export a copy of the Enum folder to a known,
readily accessible place (such as the desktop)
Browse through the Enum folder, locate and delete all of the entries
related to Floppy disk controllers or drives.
Shut down and restart the computer.
Windows should now automatically detect and install a single floppy
controller and single diskette drive item.
Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."