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Puffin1

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Floppy A with seek error or drive not ready

I have a 486-33 I'm trying to upgrade. I removed the 5 1/4 floppy, changed cmos setup to reflect that, redid the floppy controller so that 3 1/2 is on the end connector after the crossover, and set the cmos for the A floppy.

I'm also trying to install a CD, so have it connected to the HD controller cable. HD works fine.

Thinking the floppy or controller card might be bad, I have switched out both. Same problem results - Seek error or drive not ready (depending upon how the controller cable is plugged into the floppy - at end or in middle).

What can I do?
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mikecr
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I think you have the cable on backwards. The red stripe on the cable should face towards the power on some and away from the power on others. Try switching it the opposite way and try that. You also said that you set the floppy in the CMOS. What did you set it to, 1.44 or 720kb. You may want to try setting it to 1.44 if it's set at 720. About 99% of the floppies nowadays are 1.44, so if you have a 720 drive installed, you won't be able to read them unless you do a forced format to 720 on a 1.44 disk. You also need to hook it up on the end of the cable, not in the middle. You should have 2 connectors on the end. Use the appropriate one that matches the connection. If your other drive worked on that controller, this one should to unless the controller doesn't support a 1.44mb floppy. Check it out and get back to me and we'll get you up and working.

Good Luck!
Mike
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Puffin1

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You guys are gems!! The 3.5 floppy was bad. I was aware the cables could be put in backwards. Most cards mark where 1 is supposed to be. It couldn't be inserted wrong on the 5.25 floppy, so that left the 3.5. Although the cable could be backwards (thanks for the hint about the lights being on continuously, Jason), even on correctly it still didn't work. Another floppy drive to the rescue and voila, it worked.

You've just made a convent of Catholic sisters very happy!

Bless you both.
FYI gentlemen! If you put the cable on backwards on a Hewlett Packard Pentium class PC, depending on the model, the floppy light will not come on and stay on!
Thought you might want to know that.

Mike
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How do I award the points, and to whom? I haven't seen the grading option.

Can I split the points in half? Both of you helped rather equally.
Your welcome Jason. I don't like HP's computers- Good printers though!


Mike
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I have to say that it was the comment that the FDD light would be on continually that got the problem solved. So, although I appreciate mikecr answering so quickly, I'd have to award the points to Jason.

Puffin1
I'm not worried about points Puffin1, I just want to point out that with so many proprietary systems out there, sometimes things aren't what they seem.


Mike
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Oh, I do understand, mikecr, believe me. That's why I'm so glad this site is up and kind folks like you help people like me out of a bind!
Please stop back anytime Puffin1. Bring us another challenge!

Good Luck!

Mike
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ComTech

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