Some of those CMOS were 'function-lite' for sure. Can you restart in plain DOS and see if it'll read? One thing I'd encountered recently on an older machine (WinME) - I'd reset the HDD to use DMA - it took me a while to figure out that this had the effect of disabling the floppy drive (Windows only, of course). That wouldn't be applicable if the drive functions when outside of the bay (if I'm understanding that) Probably is some wacky grounding thing, although it wouldn't hurt to switch power plugs as suggested. Is any part of the drive platter exposed/contacting things? Friction might be stopping the drive from spinning(?) Braccae tuae aperiuntur

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"It boots from the floppy." Ok, nevermind that then - must be the A.D.D. kicking in (heh) Braccae tuae aperiuntur

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Hi Dan, You seem to have eliminated any issue of overtightened or overlength screws. And the 'recessed front panel' syndrome. I think you're down to ungrounded or 'hot' drive cage. Try putting a meter between a known-good ground and the floppy cage; then to the floppy drive while it's in place. Same drill with the floppy drive out of the case. If still no joy, the only thing left is residual magnetism in the case. For which you'd need to take out all drives and boards and demag the case. M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

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Hey Dan, This is a wierd one, I can only offer the same opinion that the others already have. Something must be grounding. The adjust the boot sequence in those old IBMs, you go to the logical place (sorry don't have one to look at right now) and the top line reads something like startup sequence. You need to hit enter at that point as it is in a sub folder like location.

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Could be something as simple as scraped wire insulation. Or something not so simple as the hall effect. YO

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Gee. Is this not a repeat of a question a few months back? Same basic IBM system, same exact problem. Only there, after the usual questions above, it was noted that this one machine was not the only one with the problem. One third of the machines in the lab had the problem. Most were near the new big lab machine...... Most of those IBM systems have diskette drives with HALL effect sensors in them for detecting the presence of a diskette, and its write protect tab using very weak magnetic fields. They also have heavy iron/nickle frames, that can become magnetized by exposure to strong magnetic fields. After removing all electronics and components from the frame, there is good chance a hand held AC bulk tape eraser should solve the problem.

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Hi JackG, I think you're right. Was it 'Ole Schooler' who had that lab? M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

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Based upon what I have tried with this system, and the input I've received from various sources, I'm concluding that a Spectre exists in the enclosure. I have grounded the floppy enclosure to the floppy/main drive bay chassis (while outside of the machine) and the floppy still works. In any orientation. It's only while in the bay that it doesn't work. The last thing to try is the mainboard in another ATX tower. We'll see........... Thanks to all who contributed. It's a good day when you learn something

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Hi Dan, If it's HALL effect as JackG surmises, it will be all but impossible to shield it. A few inches if distance does more than all the copper mesh and other stuff you might cobble onto it. Tried a non-IBM FDD? M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

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Hi M2G, Yeah, tried Panasonic, Mitsumi, etc. The original (which has the IBM bar code label/Pt. No. stuck on in addition to the NEC label) was a NEC FD1231H. Due to this problem I started looking up the specs on the various floppy drives. There appears to be no difference from the NEC drive to other standard floppy drives. ie; no mention of special casings/housings for shielding. Ref.;NEC FD1231H It's a good day when you learn something

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Hi Dan, Still no joy? M2 If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

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Nadda. It's a good day when you learn something

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Hello, I recently installed six of these same drives, and we are experiencing the same problem, the drive works outside of the case but not in the case. Do you think moving these away from the HDD will help?

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Well this is interesting. "I recently installed six of these same drives, and we are experiencing the same problem, the drive works outside of the case but not in the case." I take it you mean the NEC FD1231H. Is it an IBM desktop PC? I however had the problem with all of the various drives I've tried. (Panasonic, Mitsumi, etc.) Are you experiencing the same? As far as distancing the hard disk, experimentation will tell you. Please report back with any findings which may add to an explanation. It's a good day when you learn something

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Hello Dan, I had a similar incident with my homebuilt PC running Win98SE. The floppy drive worked great for five years and then it suddenly wouldn't work. At first I thought the drive or the connector had gone bad but I ruled both of those out. I never was able to pinpoint the cause but I wound-up doing a clean re-install of Win98SE. After that, the floppy worked fine. Hope someone can help you find a less drastic solution. If you wind-up doing the same, don't grow any grey hairs over it. Sometimes, it's good to clean-up your hard-drive.

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This was a clean 98SE install. XP was on the drive and the person wanted 98SE. When I pulled the drive and installed a new one, the problem was fixed, until I put the drive in the bay. (I had just connected the new drive and left it outside the tower, after the install I mounted the floppy in the bay and it ceased to function.) It's a good day when you learn something

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