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External floppy drive versus internal floppy drive on server

I would like to add a floppy disk to my server, which is an HP Proliant ML 110 G4. I found a few internal floppy drives on the Internet, but then I was concerned they wouldn't be compatible even though they were made (supposedly) by HP.

So, I called HP, and the tech recommended a floppy drive which was compatible, but it was a USB external floppy drive. He said you could boot from it, but I am not sure the USB ports would work correctly during boot up.

Is it OK to get the external drive.He recommended Model: DC361B

Should I go with an internal floppy disk and, if so, where can I get one that I know is compatible with my server? My guess is they would all pretty much be, but I want to make sure it fits properly.

Thanks.

Danny Child

I've used external USB floppy drives on HP servers, and they've been fine.

One benefit of a portable drive is that you're more likely to use it, and therefore more likely to trust it. In a couple of years, are you going to trust an internal drive that you haven't touched in ages? And of course, by the very nature of a floppy drive, if you're using it then you're in a tough place by then already...

hth, Danny

btw - you may want to check out some bootable CDs too -
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

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Danny Child

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Bert2005

ASKER

Dan,

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I have BartPE and UBCD (doesn't UBCD use BartPE, not sure).

The bare metal backup I am doing calls for a floppy disk, plus there are times it comes in handy. I thought I had ordered it to begin with.

"One benefit of a portable drive is that you're more likely to use it..."

Why are you more likely to use it?

Do the USB ports work when booting from an external floppy?

Danny Child

portable drive = more likely to be used as if you have *one* usb floppy drive, you will use it across multiple machines as needed. If you fit fdd's to all pcs that may ever need them, then it can be years before you actually put a disk into any particular one.

And "Do the USB ports work when booting externally?" - yes!

cheers for the points, btw

Bert2005

ASKER

You're welcome. And thanks for the extra info.