Missing my "A Drive" in My Computer on XP

[mrTickle]

When I go into My Computer ( Win XP ), my A Drive is missing. All my hard drives and CD/DVD ROM drives are present -it's just my Floppy drive that is missing.

If I look at properties-hardware, my A Drive is listed as being on the computer and working OK. The hide drive button isn't checked, so it should be visible to me. I can't manually read or write to the floppy drive as I can't see it in Windows. However if I run an automatic batch file that is programmed to write to the floppy drive, it works fine.

Is there a setting somewhere in XP ( maybe Services? ) that I can check, to see if it's disabling the A Drive from view?

 

[MiGSel]

Here's a possible fix from the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

SYMPTOMS
In Windows XP, you may notice that the floppy disk drive does not appear in the My Computer folder. You may also notice that the floppy disk drive is listed as the number 37 or 39 in the Device Manager.
CAUSE
This issue may occur if there are corrupted or incorrect keys in the registry.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, delete the corrupted or incorrect registry keys. To delete the keys, follow these steps:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Run box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E980-E325 11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

In the right pane, click Upperfilters, and then press DELETE.

When you are prompted to do so, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
In the right pane, click Lowerfilters, and then press DELETE.

When you are prompted to do so, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Restart your computer.

This might help, good luck!
Michel

 

[mrTickle]

Thanks MiGSel. I've just checked the registry but it was OK. I've tried adding the floppy as a "B drive" to see if Windows adds it. It does -but I still can't see it

I think that this problem comes from a trial Windows program, that claimed to clear unwanted registry enteries and speed up Windows performance. I won't be buying it, that's for sure!

 

[judge]

Thanks MiGSel. I've just checked the registry but it was OK. I've tried adding the floppy as a "B drive" to see if Windows adds it. It does -but I still can't see it

I think that this problem comes from a trial Windows program, that claimed to clear unwanted registry enteries and speed up Windows performance. I won't be buying it, that's for sure!

But you'll be OK because you set a restore point prior to shitty freeware trial and can just roll back can't you?

 

[MiGSel]

Hmm, is your floppy drive defined in the hardware setup (press Del to enter setup at boot)? It can be set to "none" there.

Can you access it at a command prompt?
Start / Run / cmd / type a:

 

[cookie]

But you'll be OK because you set a restore point prior to shitty freeware trial and can just roll back can't you?

not if it's like my XP he can't. all restore points vanish every few days.

...and it's not for any of the reasons listed in MS knowledge base either. i think it's the shitty software thing again.

thank gawd for Drive Image

 

[mrTickle]

Hmm, is your floppy drive defined in the hardware setup (press Del to enter setup at boot)? It can be set to "none" there.

Can you access it at a command prompt?
Start / Run / cmd / type a:

Hi MiGSel

I've just tried the command prompt & that is letting me read/write to the floppy with no problems. That has helped me out so cheers.

The only reason I need the pesky floppy drive, is because my TiVo recorder's hard drive has packed up. The TiVo uses Linux as its O/S, so I'm trying to create a bootable Linux diskette so that I can mount & copy the Linux files onto the TiVo's hard drive.

judge:- I can't roll back my registry, as this problem has been on my PC for about a year now. I've never bothered with it, as I never use floppies. This will probably remain an unsolved mystery until I do a full reload of XP.

 

[Deleted Member]

HEY!

What's this?

A microsoft operating system that doesn't live upto the hype!!!

...well there's a first!













(buy a mac)