Computer Pros, Please Help With 3 1/2" Floppy Discs!

[Gene]

I'm hoping someone that is computer savvy here can please help me!

I used to have an old Windows 95 computer where I saved all my pictures and documents on 3 1/2" floppy discs.

I upgraded to a Dell computer that had Windows XP about 6 years ago. I paid extra to have a floppy disc slot added to my computer but I have to admit, I never used it.

I recently realized that I had some important photos and documents on floppy discs that I wanted to view. I popped a floppy disc into it's slot and there appeared nothing except "Insert disc". I popped it in and out but to no avail and everytime I put it in it just says to "please insert disc."

My question is, how can I get my computer with Windows XP to read all my antique floppy discs again?

 

[EngrPaul]

I wonder if Staples or some other company like that would help you move stuff from floppy to USB memory/stick?

 

[lctorana]

Assuming the floppy drive is physically OK, and both the power and data cables are connected firmly at each end:

Reboot your computer, and press the key that takes your computer into the BIOS settings mode.

Now do two things:

Select the setting for "Floppy Disk Drive" or "FDD" corresponding to "3.5" 1.44MB". Any other setting will not work.

Check the "Boot Device Order" or "Boot Priority" and make sure that the floppy drive is not selected as a boot device.

The manual that came with (the motherboard of) your computer will have step-by-step instructions for this.

 

[Gene]

Thank you Ictorana but what key do I press to take my computer into the "BIOS" setting?

 

[EngrPaul]

Thank you Ictorana but what key do I press to take my computer into the "BIOS" setting?

http://www.compu-help.us/BIOS_access.htm

 

[DimeRazorback]

Will the little 'locking' tab on the floppies affect this?

Or is that just deleting??

It's been too long :laughing:

 

[EngrPaul]

Will the little 'locking' tab on the floppies affect this?

Or is that just deleting??

It's been too long :laughing:

You have to cut out the tab.


Oops! That's a REAL floppy! (5 1/4).

Anybody remember audio cassette storage and no hard drive?

 

[jchoo]

It is entirely possible that the data on the disks has been compromised by deterioration through age or exposure to heat or magnetic fields. There are some software programs out there that can attempt to read the raw data on the disk, but I wouldn't think that success would be anything close to a sure thing.

The only program I've used for this was Badcopy, and it worked reasonably well - you may want to give it a shot.

http://download.cnet.com/BadCopy-Pro/3000-2248_4-10054455.html?

 

[Nitroz]

You have to cut out the tab.


Oops! That's a REAL floppy! (5 1/4).

Anybody remember audio cassette storage and no hard drive?

Heheh, yes. Commodore 64.

 

[nfetterly]

I finally threw out about 30 of these floppies over the weekend - if I didn't need it by now...

I took a quick look on Ebay - it appears you can get an external USB floppy drive for less than $15 shipped.

If you had a local computer shop - I'd suggest you go in and see if they can tell you if the discs are readable.

 

[Nitroz]

How old are the disk? I know they can go bad sometime quicker than others, especially if they are a cheap brand floppy.

I see that the disk are about 6 or so years old? That is really pushing it for those disk. A couple of years is alot.

 

[Vinniec5]

EngrPaul/Nitroz ahh those were the days of Cutting egde computing my Timex/Sinclair 1000 with 16K Memory and NORAD grade reliable cassette storage (ROFLMAO):devil:. Yes folks thats read 16K memory its still amazing how far computer power has come and still going every year.:twothumbs

 

[lctorana]

Thank you Ictorana but what key do I press to take my computer into the "BIOS" setting?

I couldn't even guess. Could be any one of the following:

<Delete>
<F1>
<F2>
<End>
<Esc>
<Scroll Lock>
<F12>
<Page Up>

and probably others besides.

But don't guess. When you reboot your computer, you HAVE to look at the screen - it will tell you something like "Press xxxx to enter Setup".

So Press xxxx.

But if you weren't quick enough to press xxxx, then reboot again and try again.

If the screen doesn't tell you which key, then you will just have to find your motherboard manual.

 

[Nitroz]

EngrPaul/Nitroz ahh those were the days of Cutting egde computing my Timex/Sinclair 1000 with 16K Memory and NORAD grade reliable cassette storage (ROFLMAO):devil:. Yes folks thats read 16K memory its still amazing how far computer power has come and still going every year.:twothumbs

Before the 64 I had a VIC 20 with 5k of ram, 3.5 after startup.

 

[bjn70]

I did this recently with my old XP computer before I stopped using it. The drive was already installed and plugged into the motherboard. I had to go into the BIOS and reconfigure it to recognize the drive as a 3.5" 1.44mb drive. Check your BIOS, if that doesn't help then open the computer and check the cable. If that doesn't work you could either buy a USB floppy drive or find a friend with a functioning 3.5" drive.

 

[Mr.Penny]

I'm hoping someone that is computer savvy here can please help me!

I used to have an old Windows 95 computer where I saved all my pictures and documents on 3 1/2" floppy discs.

I upgraded to a Dell computer that had Windows XP about 6 years ago. I paid extra to have a floppy disc slot added to my computer but I have to admit, I never used it.

I recently realized that I had some important photos and documents on floppy discs that I wanted to view. I popped a floppy disc into it's slot and there appeared nothing except "Insert disc". I popped it in and out but to no avail and everytime I put it in it just says to "please insert disc."

My question is, how can I get my computer with Windows XP to read all my antique floppy discs again?

Most likely your floppy drive has a build up of dust (since you didn't use it for 6 years). You can buy a floppy drive cleaner kit or blow compress air into the drive, but if that doesn't work you're going to have to buy a new one...

I see that the disk are about 6 or so years old? That is really pushing it for those disk. A couple of years is alot.

If you take care of the discs they can last a long time, I have 3½" floppies from 1993 I can access. :thumbsup:

 

[Lynx_Arc]

reboot your computer, if the drive light stays lit on the floppy drive you have the data cable on backwards. some drive cables are not keyed and can be put on backwards either on the motherboard or the drive itself and sometimes the connectors can be be not pushed in all the way. If you set the computer up to boot from floppy first in the bios it should poll it then the light shut off instead of stay on... be warned that if the cable is wrong it can zap the floppy if it isn't protected so try a non essential one till you are sure it works properly.

 

[lctorana]

reboot your computer, if the drive light stays lit on the floppy drive you have the data cable on backwards.

Yes! Forgot that little subtlety. If you've never used your floppy drive, this is entirely possible.

 

[Gene]

I really appreciate all the suggestions folks and thank you. I've determined that the floppy drive is a goner. After trying a few more discs, it started buzzing loudly. I popped the front off and wiggled the drive and it stopped buzzing but still isn't working.

I now do remember using it about 4-5 years ago to transfer some pictures I had on some of the discs into the computer's hard drive.

So, it's either get a new one or chuck all my old floppies. I think I'll go with the latter. Thanks again!

 

[Lynx_Arc]

should be able to get a floppy for cheap. If you were here in oklahoma I have a couple of them sitting in storage. Try going to a small computer store and asking if they would sell you a drive (used) for $5 if they sell used computers I am sure they have a big stack of them around as nobody wants them these days.