Floppy Disk icon problem

[ToOn~g@l]

hello I was wondering if there are any computer experts out there that can help me figure out why I can no longer use my floppy disk. When I go to my computer to use it, the icon is missing and there is no way I can save things onto it.
I have gone to the microsoft help site and the instructions they gave did not work.
It just suddenly disappeared one day and I'm not sure how it happened. Any suggestions on what to do, I really want to use my floppy disk. Also my computer is a windows xp.
Thanks in advance

[HumanoidTyphoon]

Most likely it died and you'll have to get a new one.
The cables might have come loose check to see if they're connected right.
Also if you can check to see if it works on another computer.

[Psycho Fox]

Well first:
Does the BIOS see the floppy?
Do you have it enabled in the BIOS?
If it is enabled can you boot of it?

If you can boot of the floppy it is a problem with Windows. If the BIOS can see it but you can't boot odds are high it is the floppy drive. If the BIOS can't see the floppy then it is either the Floppy Controller or the Floppy drive.

[ToOn~g@l]

This may sound like a stupid question but what is BIOS is it the little light that goes on when you turn on the computer near the floppy drive? That does turn on.

Sounds like I might have to get a new one like Humaniod Typhoon said. I also somehow knew that HT would be the first to answer my question, isn't that crazy. :D

[Psycho Fox]

This may sound like a stupid question but what is BIOS is it the little light that goes on when you turn on the computer near the floppy drive? That does turn on.

When you firt turn on your computer (before Windows starts) that is the BIOS. You should see something like "hit delete for setup" if not your computer manual should tell you how to gain access to the BIOS settings.

So to TEST the drive simply create a bootable disk then go into the BIOS setting and make sure your computer will boot of floopy then try and boot off it.

[HumanoidTyphoon]

This may sound like a stupid question but what is BIOS is it the little light that goes on when you turn on the computer near the floppy drive? That does turn on.

Sounds like I might have to get a new one like Humaniod Typhoon said. I also somehow knew that HT would be the first to answer my question, isn't that crazy. :DHopefully it's because I'm so awesome.=(

Basic Input Output System

If you go into the BIOS choose the Standard CMOS Features option. Look for Drive A it should say [1.44M, 3.5']

If she can't get to the A drive she probably can't create a boot disk.

[RZetlin]

Take your computer into a computer repair shop.

Base on your computer knowledge, this is beyond your scope of understanding.

[Psycho Fox]

If she can't get to the A drive she probably can't create a boot disk.Oh yhea, forgot about that, I have access to so many computers so logically I think if she can't get A drive to work on one she can create a boot disk on another. I forgot there are people that only have access to one computer.

[ToOn~g@l]

Base on your computer knowledge, this is beyond your scope of understanding.
Are you saying I'm stupid? :( Cause if you are I am now sad.

Just kidding:D , yeah I am a little computer illiterate. I should really take a class on how to fix stuff but this is really the only problem I had in quite a while. I'll just try the BIOs thing because I might have it or I might not, then I will try the computer repair place. Does anyone know how much it might cost to fix it? I'm a little low on cash.

[FredNash]

Does anyone know how much it might cost to fix it? I'm a little low on cash.If you take it to a computer repair shop, it's usually $50 minimum. Those places are a rip off.

From reading this thread and your description of the problem, I'm going to assume you haven't been mucking about inside your computer's case, which makes the posibility of it being something simple, like a loose wire, much less likely.

Worst case would be a problem with your windows install. Xp is pretty stable compared to older versions of windows, so this is probly not the case, but you never know.

HT is probly right, your floppy is probably dead. R.I.P. floppy. NewEgg.com has a TEAC floppy for $13.00 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-103-118&depa=0[/url) (including FedEx 5-7 day shipping) or ZipZoomFly.com has the same drive for $14.50 (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=111201) and has free 2nd day shipping. I've used both those sites and trust them. If you wanna go cheaper though, you could try DVCentruy.com, they have a Sony/Mitsumi floppy for $8.00 (http://www.dvcentury.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=67-144-3500) including free 2-3 day shipping. I've never used them though, and I usually find that trying to save a few dollars by going to a discount site can cause much headaches if there's a problem with the order, since customer service is usually non-existant on el-cheapo websites.

If you don't mind opening up your case, changing out a floppy is simple. Just line up the wires the same way they were on the old one and go for it. If the new one and the old one have the wires in the same place, it's a no-brainer, if not, just make sure they're lined up right on the new one, no big deal since computer cables are designed so that you can't put them in wrong with out really wanting to...

Anyway, good luck!

[Psycho Fox]

Are you saying I'm stupid? :( Cause if you are I am now sad.

Just kidding:D , yeah I am a little computer illiterate. I should really take a class on how to fix stuff but this is really the only problem I had in quite a while. I'll just try the BIOs thing because I might have it or I might not, then I will try the computer repair place. Does anyone know how much it might cost to fix it? I'm a little low on cash.
If you actully know a geek near you they might help but repair shops over charge. As for classes you might get away with simply checking out a PC repair book from your local libary.

[FredNash]

If you actully know a geek near you they might helpYeah, I forgot to mention that. If you have a computer-savvy friend, ask them for help. Most geeks are happy to help out their luddite friends, just don't make a habit out of it unless you plan on compensating them with the good stuff (pizza, taco bell, mountain dew, etc...).

Also, if your friend is wearing this t-shirt, don't even bother asking:

http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v77/FredNash/will-not-fix.jpg

[StarScream64]

If you take it to a computer repair shop, it's usually $50 minimum. Those places are a rip off.

Ha! Not if you're a computer repair technician! :p

[FredNash]

Ha! Not if you're a computer repair technician! :p
I suppose if you own the business then it's a good deal for you, yeah. But every shop in my area is run by people who don't work there, just provide capital. The technicians themselves make $7-8 or maybe $10 an hour for a job the customer is paying $50 an hour for them to do...

[Psycho Fox]

I suppose if you own the business then it's a good deal for you, yeah. But every shop in my area is run by people who don't work there, just provide capital. The technicians themselves make $7-8 or maybe $10 an hour for a job the customer is paying $50 an hour for them to do...Right and A+ Cert is joke it doesn't mean anything besides your memorised a PC repair book. Most computer geeks are can easily go over the head of a PC repair tech with just A+ Certification. I was talking to one and she kept look blankly at me when ever I said i586, i686 and X86. I really lost faith in A+ Cert when I found most don't know what rack units are, so you say 1U they don't know it is a case size for shelf mounted computer.

[ToOn~g@l]

Wow you guys really know a lot about computers and so far I think a friend of mine is going to help me and she loves the shirt you showed FredNash. Yeah she's a computer geek. If she can't help I'm going to a repair shop.

Thanks for giving me ideas of what to do guys, you all are so nice.

[FredNash]

Right and A+ Cert is joke ...Most computer geeks are can easily go over the head of a PC repair tech with just A+ Certification.
You're preaching to the choir my friend.


I think a friend of mine is going to help me and she loves the shirt you showed

That shirt (http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/frustrations/388b/), along with a ton of other hilarious computer-geek shirts, is available at www.thinkgeek.com.

Glad we could help!