Member Avatar for viperman224

I get this error message when I try accessing my floppy drive from windows xp

"A:\is not accessible. The floppy disk controller reported an error that is not recognized by the floppy disk driver"

and when I try to boot from a floppy i get
"please insert system disk" or something like that

any ideas? I have changed the floppy drive about 3 times, I put 2 different cables in. It's driving me crazy I have to reload my computer and I need the floppy. is my disk controller shot ? i have an asus p2b-f mobo

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Short practical checklist to narrow this down (builds on points from , , , and ) and options that avoid cutting the motherboard open.

Start by deciding whether the problem is detection/power/cabling or the motherboard floppy-controller itself. Enter BIOS Setup and note whether the A: drive is listed and what type it shows. If the BIOS does not see a drive at all, Windows-level fixes are unlikely to help — move to the hardware checks below.

Non-invasive hardware checks (power, ribbon, swap)

  • With the PC powered off, confirm the small 4‑pin floppy power plug is present and firmly seated; swapping that power lead with another drive’s connector is a quick test.
  • Use a different known-good floppy ribbon (or the original working cable) and make sure pin‑1 orientation on the drive and cable line up — some connectors/drives are non-standard.
  • Swap the suspect drive into another PC, and try a known-good drive in the ASUS board. If the drive works elsewhere but not on the P2B‑F, the on‑board FDC is very likely the culprit.

Windows and diagnostics

  • In XP check Device Manager for “Floppy disk controllers” or any yellow exclamation; look in Event Viewer for the exact FDC error code (copy that for warranty support). Try uninstalling the floppy controller in Device Manager and rebooting so Windows redetects it — this will only help if BIOS sees the hardware.
  • If a vendor diagnostic is required but the internal floppy won’t work, look for a bootable CD/ISO or a Windows utility from Western Digital; alternatively create a FreeDOS bootable USB/CD and put the DOS utility on it (note: some DOS floppy utilities won’t see USB‑attached floppy drives when booted).

Workarounds and next steps

  • A low‑cost external USB floppy will bypass the motherboard controller for Windows diagnostics and file copies. If tests confirm a dead on‑board controller, choices are: use USB/external floppy, pursue a motherboard RMA/replacement, or supply the drive’s diagnostic log to WD for warranty. Always power down and ground yourself before swapping connectors, and keep copies/screenshots of any error codes for the RMA.

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Member Avatar for TallCool1

I get this error message when I try accessing my floppy drive from windows xp

"A:\is not accessible. The floppy disk controller reported an error that is not recognized by the floppy disk driver"

and when I try to boot from a floppy i get
"please insert system disk" or something like that

any ideas? I have changed the floppy drive about 3 times, I put 2 different cables in. It's driving me crazy I have to reload my computer and I need the floppy. is my disk controller shot ? i have an asus p2b-f mobo

The floppy drive controller is integral to the motherboard. If it's a hardware problem, it's probably gonna be a replacement motherboard needed, unless you can find an ISA-slot floppy controller (FDC) used somewhere.

On the other hand, there is another possibility, and I have seen this--a corrupted CMOS. Check your settings for the floppy controller in your setup screen. If they appear OK, try a Reset to default. If that doesn't do the trick, remove the CMOS battery (disc-shaped, near the CPU) from its socket for about 12 hours. There is no CMOS-reset jumper on the board, so far as I can tell. If that fails to do the trick, you may have to go the FDC-card route. Good luck.

Member Avatar for chanto!

I get this error message when I try accessing my floppy drive from windows xp

"A:\is not accessible. The floppy disk controller reported an error that is not recognized by the floppy disk driver"

and when I try to boot from a floppy i get
"please insert system disk" or something like that

any ideas? I have changed the floppy drive about 3 times, I put 2 different cables in. It's driving me crazy I have to reload my computer and I need the floppy. is my disk controller shot ? i have an asus p2b-f mobo

Some of the new floppy drives are pretty wacky, they have the pin orientation reversed.
If your floppy cable is not keyed and the floppy activity light is on constantly, try flipping the floppy cable over at the end closest to the drive.

Does your floppy cable have a twist in it? If not, the floppy drive could be B:\

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Another couple of points as well:


If that floppy drive is an old, used one, then try a new floppy drive. Windows XP seems to be a bit 'tochy' with older floppy drives ;)

The other thing is - why do you need it?

You can install Windows XP by booting from the CD!

Member Avatar for viperman224

I need the floppy to run the Western Digital program to test the drive because scandisk found lots of bad sectors when I did my lat reload. This is why I am reloading it because the machine is very unstable. The drive is under warrenty untill september of this year so if there is a problem with it I would like to fix it:) The floppy cable I am using now has the twist in it but had been working before. I had bought a colored cable to go with my see-through case and thats when I noticed the problem. The cable was key but my floppy drive just has the plug and no special keyed feature so you can plug the cable in any way. I flipped my cable around serveral times and much to my dismay it still didn't work. thanks for the ideas I'll try and let you guys know how I make out with it. thanks

Member Avatar for Catweazle

If you're getting lots of bad sectors, then the drive has problems and you should be getting it replaced under warranty, not attempting to 'fix' it.

Member Avatar for viperman224

yes, but the thing with western digital is before you can send the drive back you need an error code from their program if you send it back without the error code they won't send you a new one. my dad told this to me I have no idea if you need the error code but I assume you do. thanks for your help

Member Avatar for oalee

yes, but the thing with western digital is before you can send the drive back you need an error code from their program if you send it back without the error code they won't send you a new one. my dad told this to me I have no idea if you need the error code but I assume you do. thanks for your help

But what error code could possibly be worse than a bad sector? you don't get error codes for bad sectors? maybe you should try getting it replaced anyway. If they won't replace it then the warranty's no use at all...

Member Avatar for Catweazle

eerrr.... uummmmm................

Tell them the "error code" is xxxxxxxxxxxx bad sectors! Do you have Consumer Rights legislation where you live?

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