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Resolved Question

floppy install

Feb 26, 2012 2:57AM PST

I have an HP a4310f Pavillion desktop computer.

I wish to install an internal 3.5" floppy drive.
I have been unable to locate information on the possibility of this, even on the HP website. I would assume this computer can handle an internal floppy drive; an external floppy would be much too slow. There appears to be an expansion bay available on the computer faceplate, and a slot on the mobd.
I have 2 internal 3.5" floppy drives: one is "generic" and would not fit the Dell computer; the other I ordered directly from Dell.

Any info or links to this subject would be appreciated.

Discussion is locked

padyboy has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Clarification Request
I own a few USB Floppy drive.
Feb 26, 2012 3:01AM PST
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no floppy!!!
Feb 26, 2012 9:17AM PST

Thank you for the prompt reply.
I must now junk still more computer parts/peripherals.

Why would HP provide a bay for a second optical drive, but not a floppy? Why would anybody want another optical drive? Max storage (as far as I know, and we all know how far that is) is 8.4GB for a double layered DVD. Maybe for copying, I suppose.
I am now looking for an external floppy drive. I wanted internal since there is very little space available on my desktop, if you get my drift (this is not an oxymoron). I expect there are few differences between versions of this product from different manufacturers , unless you can suggest some features I should look for.
The Internet prices are so low in some cases that shipping is equal to the sale price.
Bye for now, and thanx again.

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You asked why. I use 2
Feb 26, 2012 9:38AM PST

If I need to duplicate a CD/DVD it's very nice to have 2.

I'm unsure why you feel this is a waste. My last floppy drive was 9 bucks and lasted over a decade. My new USB FLOPPY was 12.95 and is going strong.

I can only guess you picked up one when or where it was the usual 99 buck price?

And with only a little work I could put the USB floppy into one of those bays.
Bob

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floppy reply
Feb 26, 2012 11:36AM PST

I assumed that my mobd does not have the capacity to run a floppy drive, no??

How would that work?

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I would mount my USB drive internally.
Feb 26, 2012 11:45AM PST

It's not much work. But today you see many won't do this type of work.
Bob

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floppy install
Feb 26, 2012 12:25PM PST

I would gladly do this work if I had the correct information. I had assumed from your previous post that this floppy install was not feasible.
There is no mention of floppy capability with my HP computer, as internal drive.
I am now intrigued. How much technical expertise would be required? I saw what appeared to be a complete floppy assembly (drive, face plate (?), mounting cage and screws; but it cost over $80 + shipping.
What about a floppy controller on mobd? I saw this mentioned. I assume Win 7 would have the drivers, or they would be readily obtainable.
I was considering investing in an external floppy drive tomorrow, but if you say internal is an option, I am all ears (well, eyes, actually). Will hold off on this purchase.
I may have mentioned that I installed a floppy in my old Dell Dimension without difficulty, but it was set up with the necessary cage, etc.

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How much technical?
Feb 27, 2012 12:29AM PST

Not much. Most of the mounting work is mechanical.

For the electrical connection I could take the easy out and run the USB cord out the back and into some rear USB socket if I was in a hurry and didn't want to find or use some onboard USB connection.

-> But maybe I'm missing something here. I'm beginning to think you want some KIT with instructions. I don't think there is such. But it can be done with common tools in our garage.
Bob

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not easy
Feb 27, 2012 8:12AM PST

Dear Mr. Proffitt,

Frankly, I have found that nothing is as easy as they say it is with regard to computers. This is mostly because I did not grow up with them as most of you Tech savy people have. I mean no disrespect by that. I have found that tech experts usually assume knowledge I do not possess, and the solution becomes very frustrating for me.

I doubt this is any different

But I must reitterate how thankfull I am for your continued asisstance and patience with me. I am slowly accumulating knowledge of computers, often by DOING rather than just READING.

I would appreciate your continued support in the matter of installation of an internal floppy drive in my CPU.
I am prepared to search the available knowledge base to achieve this goal.
Thank you.

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Sorry if I made it sound simple.
Feb 27, 2012 8:20AM PST

But look at the area you want to put in that drive. Here I would remove the front cover and off to the garage to drill a few holes and saw out an opening.

This has very little to do with computers at this point.

-> I might thing of how to hold this drive in place and what I use is what I have on hand. It may include:
a. Double sided foam tape.
b. Tie wraps.
c. Packing tape.
d. Duck tape (always a favorite.

Sorry if I upset anyone at this point but as I'm trying to share, this is the stuff you might have laying about.

With our USB floppy drive mounted to that try, back to the PC. Now it gets more technical.

Hopefully the cord is long enough to avoid the cards and find a way out the back and to some USB port.

If not, there are USB extension cords.

Hope this helps you avoid a hot solder iron.
Bob

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no thanks
Feb 27, 2012 11:41AM PST

Thank you for your input.

I do not have a garage, nor the proper tools or mechanical skills to accomplish this work on my one and only CPU. In addition, I am handicapped and could never transport this CPU to a garage.

Unfortunately, this HP Pavillion desktop was simply not designed to handle an internal floppy drive. I will have to purchase an external floppy drive and make space on my 'desktop'.
I must decide whether to use one of the front ports, or an open port on my usb hub. I do not like having a permanent cable to the front of the machine; I have been saving this for temporary connections, e.g. flash drives. Unfortunately, if this hub is connected when I power up, Win 7 will not start; no problem there, just an annoyance. Works fine after os has started.

I think I will return the floppy to the old Dell, purchase a 20GB hd, and attempt to get it working again, just for fun.

Thanx again for your input.

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Why must it be on the 'desktop'?
Feb 27, 2012 11:59AM PST

I've used velcro to attach them to the top, side of desktop cases over the years.

I admit it's not very low tech (Velcro came from that NASA program.)
Bob

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where?
Feb 28, 2012 4:06AM PST

Were these carpenter-type installations done on your main, one-and-only computer? If I lose thia HP computer, I am done for; I have no other, and cannot afford to pay for damage I may cause.
I thought I might be able to purchase an adapter enabling me to install this floppy drive in an available bay on this computer.

I would still need some kind of IDE to PCI conection device; I thought I had seen this advertised on the Intenet. However, this scene has become too complicated and expensive for me. Might also be capable of doing serious damage to my computer.

One final question regarding my 8 port usb hub: why does this device prevent Windows 7 from starting when it is connected? One person sugested that the hub was inserting in BIOS devices before the main hd from which boot usually starts.This seems logical since Win os boots normally once hub has been removed. I presume I can enter BIOS and look for this device, and change it's position in boot device list. Does this seem plaisable?

Thanx again.

"Nothing is Easy"
-Jethro Tull "Stand" up album- I have it on VINYL. I believe Ian Anderson was singing of 'nothing important'.

I am outta here. Have used up enough of your time.

Best Answer

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why does this device prevent Windows 7 from starting when it
Feb 28, 2012 4:54AM PST

"why does this device prevent Windows 7 from starting when it is connected?"

Now this is getting too close to home. I owned a HP G62 that would not boot when my smart phone was plugged in. I didn't think much of that and called it in since it's a well known bug in the BIOS. Little did I know this would be the end of that laptop.

8 hours later on the phone HP agreed to return it for repairs. The laptop came be and was never the same. In fact, it is now gone and a lost cause except to act as my example that HP's warranty is worthless. They can not repair their own gear.

--> The bug appears to be when HP uses the Insyde BIOS.

There is no know cure and HP's last reply was they can't fix it because they buy the bios.

----> About your other question. I suggest you stay inside your comfort zone.
Bob