hrm... is this laptop drive removable?

I'd try reseating it. If reseating it doesn't help, your drive is most likely bad.

Can you boot a DOS disk with it?

I'm afraid I don't know what reseating is. It is built into a laptop under warranty so unlike a tower I can't just pop in and reconnect it.

I'm not sure it will boot from this because I don't actually remember and I'm currently using the computer, but I have the updated bios and I believe I tried to boot from that and it wouldn't read it.

If it's any help, the floppy I think died after I tried to hook up a IOGear USB to Serial connector to serial connect to a new computer and run "files and settings transfer wizard." The transfer never worked as the computers would not connect.

Thanks for giving this stupid little problem some thought. I don't often need the floppy and could get a usb external, but it just seems like this should be resolvable. Thanks again

If it's still under warranty, let HP handle it. I don't mean to drive you away from us, but they could be more helpful, especially if a return/exchange is needed.

thanks. I think you're right. Close the thread.