floppy mobo channel test(er)?

I realize I am probably one of the few who still install floppies on my PC`s. Lets get beyond that and give me some ideas\suggestions on my problem. I just reformatted my 2k PC (do not think it is related to the problem, just including all the facts). The build is less then 6 months old. My A drive has dissapeared in My Computer. It also fails in BIOS boot test, code 40? New floppy and cable. Ideas, suggestions?

 

so damn easy to get the cables backwards\inverted
check the power, another cable

till its recognized at the POST and by the BIOS its a physical issue

 

Power cable has been checked and double checked. Ribbon cable has been replaced and turned every way but on it`s head. Am very afraid of a mobo IDE channel issue. Pretty sure I`m still under warranty.....just do not feel like having to go through the RMA hassle.

 

actually the FDD channel isnt part of the IDE channels and doesnt use either the ATA or ATAPI protocols (being a much older standard)

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/fdd/conf.htm

Id sooner suspect the FDD itself than the mobo channel
has a far higher probability of giving up the ghost

 

Ok, the latest. Brand new floppy drive, brand new cable, not key specific. Tried it one way, the power\activity light stays on. Obviously wrong. Flipped it over, no power light, still no floppy drive either.

 

well thats not good
the quality of the builds of FDDs arent that great these days
(as you might have gathered from the $10>$20 its replacement cost)
I have a whole stack of FDDs from every antique that passes my way I treat them as disposable, strangely the older ones seem to last longer than newer ones

unlike ATA\ATAPI I dont have a tool to test the channel itself
being this low a level of protocol the "driver" is in the BIOS?
either its a corrupted BIOS (and how the hell do you flash it)
or possibly a power issue (CMOS battery) or an actual dead FDD controller

provided the PSU lead\connector is in fact functional
(which the light seems to indicate) and assuming the probability of two cables\drives in a row aren't bad (vanishingly small probability)

Im down to:
1. break out the manual and verify there isn't some strange BIOS option
(Boot to USB disables floppy?)
2. reset BIOS to default just like a overclock gone bad
(remove battery and set clear jumper)
3. look for a force ESCD option in the BIOS (Extended System Configuration Data) technically for PnP devices but also a classic fix for DMI hangs

 

Going to dive into the BIOS now. Have been there before to enable\disable seek floppy on boot. Also see answer to #2.

Have been toying with some minor OC`s. Can not afford to replace anything right now if I fry it. However my old floppy had been recognized and worked even while OC`ed.

I know most older mobos have the PnP OS option, but do not recall seeing or changing it.

 

Well ............

It seems to have been the BIOS. After [MOVE]running[/MOVE] down all the possibilities, new drive, cable, assuming the mobo was good, and knowing it was getting power, it was all that was left. Re-flashed them and as if by magic there was my floppy. Ice_Czar

 

we had a short list of possible culprits
I assume you had some sort of dual BIOS to reflash from?

sorry you ended up with a 2nd FDD

 

That is why I like Gigabyte in general, and this board specifically. The also have a ut. to check for and d\l the latest BIOS then flash them from with in windows. So I took that way out. Killed 2 birds with on stone, assured of the latest rev. and got the problem fixed. Do not think Gigabyte is the only one that offers this though, MSI comes to mind as well.

That worked out for the better as well. Running a silver brushed aluminum case, my optical drive bezels are black, my front side USB 2.0 4 port add-on is black, only the floppy was white....not anymore. (only $9.00 at a Friends shop)

 

On my old Abit KR7A I bought an IOSS RD1 BIOS Savior for it.
Luckily I never had a pressing need for it, but a dual BIOS is a must if your modding BIOS and damn nice if overclocking. I should really figure out if something is available for my Tyan.

 

I will do some digging as well. Not a bad idea for my Wifes PC.

EDIT; Just found this. Scroll down to cmos.zip Direct d\l link works. Not a lot of explanation.