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Re: Parallel port cables

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On March 21, I wrote:
> Clocky <notgonna@happen.com> wrote:
> > On 20/03/2016 5:15 PM, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> [...]
> > >    I also still have PCs with 3.5" and 5.25" diskette/floppy drives, but
> > > am about to toss them after recovering some 5.25" floppys. The strange
> > > thing is that the two 5.25" drives in two systems aren't recognized (as
> > > drive B:) but all (four in 4 systems) 3.5" drives are recognized (as:
> > > drive A:). I've swapped everything around, but can't find what's wrong.
> > > The spindles rotate when the floppys are inserted, but the drive access
> > > light doesn't light up.
> > >
> > >    Then I remembered that very old systems need DRIVPARM or DRIVER.SYS,
> > > but these systems are - only the MS_DOS part of - Windows 95.
> > >
> > >    Anyway, this is another 'project' for when I've some more time and
> > > space.
> > 
> > Can't say I've had that problem. Usually it's a configuration issue with 
> > cabling or the jumpers on the drive or the BIOS or combinations thereof.
> > 
> > If you have two drives and use a cable that is twisted on one end, leave 
> > the jumpers set to drive 0 on both drives. If your floppy cable doesn't 
> > have the twist you need to set the jumper on the drives correctly to 
> > drive 0 and drive 1.
> > 
> > Probably not news to you ;-)
> 
>   Thanks for the info. I knew most of it, but it takes time to
> re-surface, so every bit helps.
> 
>   I think both 5.25" floppy drives are dead. An unlikely scenario, but
> the only reasonable conclusion:
> 
>   I don't have any jumper info for these drives, but with your
> information, I just disconnected the daisy-chained 3.5" diskette drive.
> Whether the 5.25" drive is set to drive 0 or 1, the BIOS should
> see it, but it doesn't.
> 
>   I re-found the INFO" (INFOPLUS) utility, which reports the DOS, BIOS
> and CMOS info. When the 5.25" and 3.5" drives are connected, the DOS
> info shows only one drive, the BIOS info also shows one drive ("UNIT: 0
> (1.44MB 3.5")") and the CMOS info says "Floppy disk A: 3.5" 1.44MB" and
> "Floppy disk B: None:).
> 
>   I'll probably dig up yet another computer (386DX) which had one of
> these 5.25" drives and see if it works in that. If not, I have to give
> up, as much as I 'hate' that.

  To end the suspension which is undoubtedly killing you all:

  It turns out both 5.25" floppy drives are fine, as they both work in
"yet another computer (386DX)". They work both as drive A: and as drive
B: (by using the corresponding connector of the flat-cable), so I don't
think there was anything wrong with jumper settings.

  The only reasonable conclusion is that the original computer (100MHz
Pentium) has some kind of problem which make the 5.25" floppy drives not
work, while a 3.5" inch diskette drive on the same flat-cable (Yes, I
also tried a different flat-cable, no change.) does work.

  Anyway, I have what I need and can check my 5.25" floppies before I
sell or toss them.

  FWIW, kind of funny that the oldest and 'lowest' (16MHz 386DX, ~2MB,
40MB disk) system works best of all 4 systems. It's an HP Vectra QS/16
desktop. It's built like a tank (a weighs as much :-)). Total system
cost was about 26,000 Dutch Guilders at the time. Don't worry, I didn't
pay anywhere that amount, because I worked for HP and at the time we had
very pleasant tax policies.

  Ah, the memories ...

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Parallel port cables Stubbo of Oz <stubbo@invalid.invalid> - 2016-03-11 10:37 +1100
  Re: Parallel port cables "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> - 2016-03-11 11:07 +1100
  Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-03-11 16:12 +1100
    Re: Parallel port cables SolomonW <SolomonW@citi.com> - 2016-03-11 19:32 +1100
      Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-03-11 23:09 +1100
  Re: Parallel port cables not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-03-12 00:56 +0000
    Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-03-12 14:52 +1100
  Re: Parallel port cables hereford <takecarebeware@gmail.com> - 2016-03-18 23:03 +1100
    Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-03-18 20:54 +0000
      Re: Parallel port cables Clocky <notgonna@happen.com> - 2016-03-20 14:41 +0800
        Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-03-20 09:15 +0000
          Re: Parallel port cables Clocky <notgonna@happen.com> - 2016-03-21 07:46 +0800
            Re: Parallel port cables "SG1" <lost@the.races.com> - 2016-03-21 10:15 +1000
            Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-03-21 19:01 +0000
              Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-03-26 18:23 +0000
                Re: Parallel port cables Clocky <notgonna@happen.com> - 2016-03-27 08:45 +0800
                Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-04-09 17:18 +0000
      Re: Parallel port cables hereford <takecarebeware@gmail.com> - 2016-04-10 00:52 +1000
        Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-04-09 15:30 +0000
          Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-04-10 11:34 +1000
            Re: Parallel port cables Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-04-10 10:21 +0000
      Re: Parallel port cables felix <me@nothere.invalid> - 2016-04-10 09:26 +1000
        Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-04-10 11:30 +1000
          Re: Parallel port cables not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-04-10 01:46 +0000
            Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-04-10 15:11 +1000
              Re: Parallel port cables not@telling.you.invalid (Computer Nerd Kev) - 2016-04-10 09:09 +0000
                Re: Parallel port cables Xeno <xenolith@optusnet.com.au> - 2016-04-10 20:00 +1000
            Re: Parallel port cables felix <me@nothere.invalid> - 2016-04-10 15:59 +1000
          Re: Parallel port cables felix <me@nothere.invalid> - 2016-04-10 12:32 +1000

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