hardware problems

William Lindley plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
Thu, 20 Sep 2001 07:57:49 -0700 (MST)


Also check to be sure:

* BIOS set to 3.5" 1.44MB floppy (which I presume you're using)

* turn off "type 3 floppy" (an odd variation used only in Japan)
  if present in BIOS

* turn off "switch Drive A, B" (or similar language) if present
  (this would make drive A work as drive B and vice versa)

* make sure the floppy is in the end of the cable after the
  twist (due to IBM's 1981 decision to include only a 62 Watt
  power supply which couldn't support both floppy drive motors
  being on at once, and the clone makers who have slavishly
  followed that brain-damaged design down to the present day)

You said IDE cable -- do you have an LS-120 floppy?  That requires a whole
different setup and a compliant BIOS.

\\/
http:/www.wlindley.com