Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy

lauren409 · 07-04-2007, 03:48 AM

Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place.. so sorry about that!

A while ago I got a message that I'd never seen before come up on the startup screen when I turned on my computer saying there was an error in the CMOS and that the floppy drive had failed or something. So I went into the CMOS and changed the information letting the computer know I did not in fact have a floppy drive. So, I thought all was well. But then it happened again a week or so (maybe longer) later, so I changed the information back again.

It happened again today, and I went back into the CMOS just to check and the information had changed to say I had a floppy drive once again. This has happened a few times now with a break of a week or two between the incidents. I've done virus and spyware scans and nothing has come up on them.

So I decided to seek help on the matter, and I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Lauren

**koala** · 07-04-2007, 04:04 AM

Hi Lauren, welcome to TSF

It sounds like it could be the CMOS battery is on its way out, meaning it can't retain the settings. Do you also have problems with the clock showing the wrong time?

lauren409 · 07-04-2007, 04:20 AM

Yeah I do, it happens at the same time as the floppy drive thing though, so I thought that was causing the date was switched back to 2003.

Where do I get a new battery from? And how do I install it?

**koala** · 07-04-2007, 04:27 AM

Switch off the computer, open the case and find the battery on the motherboard (see pic above). Using a flat screwdriver, gently push the release catch away from the battery and it should pop out. You can get them from any computer store for a couple of dollars.

lauren409 · 07-04-2007, 04:30 AM

Oh right, nice, thanks! Are they the same for all motherboards?

**koala** · 07-04-2007, 04:35 AM

Yes, they're standard for all motherboards. If you've made any changes in BIOS, make a note of them before replacing the battery in case they revert to default. If you've made no changes, then simply insert the new battery, reboot and set the clock in Control Panel.

lauren409 · 07-04-2007, 04:39 AM

Will be off to buy one of those at the weekend then!

Thanks for the help (and the very speedy replies)!

**koala** · 07-04-2007, 04:43 AM

Let us know if it fixes the problem. If not then we'll try some other solutions.

meethallmark · 08-30-2008, 03:30 PM

Hi,
I am also facing the same problem. Did changing the battery solve the problem ? n which battery is good ? I have 3 years old ASUS motherboard.

07-04-2007, 03:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
lauren409 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP Professional	Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure if I'm asking this in the right place.. so sorry about that! A while ago I got a message that I'd never seen before come up on the startup screen when I turned on my computer saying there was an error in the CMOS and that the floppy drive had failed or something. So I went into the CMOS and changed the information letting the computer know I did not in fact have a floppy drive. So, I thought all was well. But then it happened again a week or so (maybe longer) later, so I changed the information back again. It happened again today, and I went back into the CMOS just to check and the information had changed to say I had a floppy drive once again. This has happened a few times now with a break of a week or two between the incidents. I've done virus and spyware scans and nothing has come up on them. So I decided to seek help on the matter, and I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction? Thanks, Lauren

07-04-2007, 04:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,405 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Hi Lauren, welcome to TSF It sounds like it could be the CMOS battery is on its way out, meaning it can't retain the settings. Do you also have problems with the clock showing the wrong time? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here Last edited by koala; 07-04-2007 at 04:05 AM.

07-04-2007, 04:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
lauren409 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP Professional	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Yeah I do, it happens at the same time as the floppy drive thing though, so I thought that was causing the date was switched back to 2003. Where do I get a new battery from? And how do I install it?

07-04-2007, 04:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,405 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Switch off the computer, open the case and find the battery on the motherboard (see pic above). Using a flat screwdriver, gently push the release catch away from the battery and it should pop out. You can get them from any computer store for a couple of dollars. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-04-2007, 04:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
lauren409 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP Professional	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Oh right, nice, thanks! Are they the same for all motherboards?

07-04-2007, 04:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,405 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Yes, they're standard for all motherboards. If you've made any changes in BIOS, make a note of them before replacing the battery in case they revert to default. If you've made no changes, then simply insert the new battery, reboot and set the clock in Control Panel. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-04-2007, 04:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
lauren409 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: Windows XP Professional	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Will be off to buy one of those at the weekend then! Thanks for the help (and the very speedy replies)!

07-04-2007, 04:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,405 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Let us know if it fixes the problem. If not then we'll try some other solutions. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

08-30-2008, 03:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
meethallmark Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 OS: xp sp2	Re: Repeating floppy drive failed error when there is no floppy Hi, I am also facing the same problem. Did changing the battery solve the problem ? n which battery is good ? I have 3 years old ASUS motherboard.