Thanks to those who replied to my earlier post. I think I am getting closer to fixing my problem. First of all, like I said before, my BIOS won't let me put my 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy disk (which is currently B:) in the boot sequence so that I can boot from a bootup floppy in that drive. The BIOS only lets the sequence be A:,C: or C:,A:. So I need to switch my 5.25 " drive to B: and my 3.5" drive to A:. From what I understand, on most systems the drive that is A: is the one that is at the end of the ribbon cable and is twisted. So what I need to do is switch the sockets on the ribbon between the two drives. But the 3.5" drive uses pins for the connection and the 5.25" drive uses a different (old-type) connection where the female end goes over the male end which is like a flat silicon board. So I can't just switch the connections on the ribbon. Can I buy a floppy disk ribbon where the socket at the end of the ribbon (which also has the twisted ribbon) has pins to connect so it would make my 3.5" floppy the A: drive? And would this fix my problem? Thanx, Jordan

No, not that I know of. Even if you can, it's unecessary. To simplify things, just disconnect the 5.25 drive for the time being. Then hook the 3.5 to the very last 3.5 connection and see what that does. I have a system with a 3.5 as A: and 5.25 as B: so I know it can be done. This is just one of those things where it's so much easier in person. :)

I think so too Doomsday. It's the cheapest and quickest way.

Although it may, I don't believe a straight through connector will work with a 1.44 fdd. I've seen it on older 360k drives, but never on modern equipment. I'd try a new fdd cable, or get an adapter for the edge to pin connector.

Thanks DoOMsdAY. I tried that right away and was really hoping it might work, but like Ronin said it didn't work on my system. And I did also change the BIOS setup to reflect this change after I did it. ie. floppy drive A: 1.44 MB, floppy drive B: Not Connected From what others have said it seems the drive which is A: must be connected to the socket on the end of the floppy drive ribbon cable (this socket is also where the ribbon twists). So I think I must need a new ribbon where the last socket is of the pin type so that I can put it into my 1.44 MB drive. Ronin (or anyone else): Do you know if it is possible to get a ribbon with a pin connection on the last socket? And do you think this might solve my problem? Even if you don't know the answer to this, it seems like this is what I have to do, so I'm going to the computer store tomorrow to at least try to find a new cable or an adapter for the edge to pin connection. And if I can find one, I will try it out. Thanx, Jordan

You can get an adapter plug to make the conversion. Check with some local computer shop, it is (or at least has been) a fairly common item.

Jordan, you should be able to find a new fdd cable, or adapter from a pin to edge connector (the pin will plug into the fdd and the edge will accept the current cable) at any type of computer parts place. I would suggest that you first look at the connection on the fdd controller. Most all modern machines have the pin connector, but some odd ball types also used the edge connector off the interface card. Good luck.