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General discussion

Installing a floppy drive from an old computer

Nov 24, 2004 11:41PM PST

I have a brand new HP PC with an empty 3.5" bay where I'd like the floppy drive to be, so I extracted a drive from a retired 1995 Packard Bell computer.
Is there anything I should be aware or wary of before I try to install the drive into the new PC?

Discussion is locked

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Done all the time.
Nov 24, 2004 11:44PM PST
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Only one I can think of
Nov 25, 2004 12:03AM PST

The floppy cables are easy to install backwards. This is usually fatal to any disk in the drive when the PC is started. It does not (generally) harm the PC and the clue is the LED on the drive stays lit constantly. Pin 1 gets the colored stripe side of the cable. You may need to look carefully for this on the drive. Usually but not always this is nearest the power connector.

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Re: Installing a floppy drive from an old computer
Nov 25, 2004 4:19AM PST

well other than what was said about cables there isn't much to know . . . some REALLY old floppy drives have funky old connectors which may make it hard to hook them up with newer cables, but . . .

only comment, 1995 was a long time ago and these things DO sometimes wear out, so if you're doing anything important with your floppies i would recommend spending the $20 or so for a new one. but if it's just for the convenience of being able to read a floppy once in a blue moon, fine.

--fj