A Drive converter?

playitagain · 10-07-2004, 06:51 AM

Ok, you can stop laughing now :)
As a firm believer in backing up data (I have TWO diff size Zips AND I learned to burn early on :) )
AND
knowing that the newer systems are omitting this needed component (for us old-school junkies)...
AND
finding mobo that are updated and still have the controller for a floppy are slim..
AND
most importantly--
having a TON of backup A-drives in a storage box in case (gasp!) one fails...

I'm wondering if there is any way I can convert the old (and perfectly good) A drives and make them external using usb? I've seen an Internal w/ USB support (Which means a pass through--which sorta makes no sense

) but certainly, there must be a way to keep the 3.5 floppy drive from being ANOTHER dinosaur ?
Any ideas?

playitagain

ksteiger · 10-08-2004, 05:53 PM

Although I can't answer your question directly, have you considered a USB flash drive? I've seen 1GB models on sale for under $60. That's the equivalent of ten 100MB Zip disks, or over 650 floppies! I carry one on a chain around my neck (I'm a network admin) and use it all the time. They're cheap and they're great for quick backups.

**batty_professor** · 10-08-2004, 06:35 PM

The computer industry like most others is subject to the laws of supply and demand. If buyers/users insist on floppy drives the market will follow. But I'm afraid this is not likely. And I predict the dinosaurs will not take over the world anytime soon.

**johnwill** · 10-09-2004, 08:05 AM

You can buy packaged USB interface floppy drives, here's a $25 USB Floppy Drive. Why screw around with the old drives?

playitagain · 10-11-2004, 08:27 AM

Hi guys/gals/readers/responders, thanks for the repsonse.

Let me answer johnwill first:
Why mess with the old drivers?
1.) because I've got about 5 perfectly good ones in storage
2.) because, and I've given this a LOT of thought.... I think the older systems are going to be around for a long time and I think there will always be a demand, though only hobby-people will want/need this. I also think that soon we will have a computer demographics of users: those with money to upgrade, and those who don't.
Many of use have wonderful systems at work and then come home and punk on little better than a 486 unless they have the money to upgrade.
Us home users w/ little on-hand cash can only BUY low-end systems-hence the need for cheap/easy backup and people to be able to repair those systems (me :) )
3. I'm editing a novel and I need easy to transfer 1.44 from person to person because not all of the proof-readers have the same system nor are they internet capable. And, I can send these usmail to rural areas where they have expensive dial-up or no service. They can't afford wireless and often, a signal doesn't reach them anyway. (Really, there are still a lot of these places in the lower 48! I'm amazed!)

So, while it seems a big bother, I'd like to find a way to use them with an upgraded system-since many mobo do not have 1.44 capability.
I'd like to see manufacturers make mobo like they do w/ cars: standard and automatic

I think, when all else is evaluated, your idea will by the one I turn to if I can't find a way to use them :) Thank you, johnwill :)

batty-professor and ksteiger both have valid points, as well. The Flash system is cool

, and I never considered that application-I viewed it more as a toy (sorry

), but can see how that helps with data-transfer etc. Hummm.... may have to consider adding that little device later.... :)

And, as batty-professor points out, supply-demand determines what is manufactured. Gamers are going to want faster/cooler systems, researchers and business will need reliable networks and versitility. They will drive the market, I agree.
Challenging that somewhat, I also see computer manufacturers doing to consumers what the publishing business is doing to readers-- they are telling us what we want in hopes of making a sale. The whole reason research&development and Marketing was conceived... to make a buck.

To summorize: If there is a way to convert "A" drives into external drives w/ reasonable cost, then I'd like to try. If not, I've got some I can sell as replacement parts in old systems - or I can hang on them and make a windchime. Guess we'll see what happens?

Thanks for the responses everyone

Anyone else have a 'converting' idea?

play(ing)itagain...with techsupport

playitagain · 10-11-2004, 08:31 AM

I need proof-readers! Sorry for all the mistakes

playitagain...and read it twice!

**johnwill** · 10-11-2004, 02:06 PM

You have a lot of floppy drives, so what?

I have a bunch of buggy whips in my garage, but I don't try to use them to coax my car to go faster!

Since it's cheaper to buy the USB drive than to attempt to kludge something onto the existing floppy drives, why bother?

10-07-2004, 06:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
playitagain Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids Posts: 60 OS: win98se	A Drive converter? Ok, you can stop laughing now :) As a firm believer in backing up data (I have TWO diff size Zips AND I learned to burn early on :) ) AND knowing that the newer systems are omitting this needed component (for us old-school junkies)... AND finding mobo that are updated and still have the controller for a floppy are slim.. AND most importantly-- having a TON of backup A-drives in a storage box in case (gasp!) one fails... I'm wondering if there is any way I can convert the old (and perfectly good) A drives and make them external using usb? I've seen an Internal w/ USB support (Which means a pass through--which sorta makes no sense ) but certainly, there must be a way to keep the 3.5 floppy drive from being ANOTHER dinosaur ? Any ideas? playitagain

10-08-2004, 06:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
batty_professor Asst. Manager, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hooterville Il 45 mi. east of St. Louis mo Posts: 2,608 OS: Fedora Core 5 for now	The computer industry like most others is subject to the laws of supply and demand. If buyers/users insist on floppy drives the market will follow. But I'm afraid this is not likely. And I predict the dinosaurs will not take over the world anytime soon. __________________ It's better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me. B. While users are never under any obligation, if you feel the urge please feel free to visit our donation page. Every little bit helps. And we thank you for your support. Microsoft free Registered Linux user 397458

10-09-2004, 08:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Microsoft MVP Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 45,495 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux	You can buy packaged USB interface floppy drives, here's a $25 USB Floppy Drive. Why screw around with the old drives? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-11-2004, 08:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
playitagain Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids Posts: 60 OS: win98se	Why the "A" drive should be preserved. Hi guys/gals/readers/responders, thanks for the repsonse. Let me answer johnwill first: Why mess with the old drivers? 1.) because I've got about 5 perfectly good ones in storage 2.) because, and I've given this a LOT of thought.... I think the older systems are going to be around for a long time and I think there will always be a demand, though only hobby-people will want/need this. I also think that soon we will have a computer demographics of users: those with money to upgrade, and those who don't. Many of use have wonderful systems at work and then come home and punk on little better than a 486 unless they have the money to upgrade. Us home users w/ little on-hand cash can only BUY low-end systems-hence the need for cheap/easy backup and people to be able to repair those systems (me :) ) 3. I'm editing a novel and I need easy to transfer 1.44 from person to person because not all of the proof-readers have the same system nor are they internet capable. And, I can send these usmail to rural areas where they have expensive dial-up or no service. They can't afford wireless and often, a signal doesn't reach them anyway. (Really, there are still a lot of these places in the lower 48! I'm amazed!) So, while it seems a big bother, I'd like to find a way to use them with an upgraded system-since many mobo do not have 1.44 capability. I'd like to see manufacturers make mobo like they do w/ cars: standard and automatic I think, when all else is evaluated, your idea will by the one I turn to if I can't find a way to use them :) Thank you, johnwill :) batty-professor and ksteiger both have valid points, as well. The Flash system is cool , and I never considered that application-I viewed it more as a toy (sorry ), but can see how that helps with data-transfer etc. Hummm.... may have to consider adding that little device later.... :) And, as batty-professor points out, supply-demand determines what is manufactured. Gamers are going to want faster/cooler systems, researchers and business will need reliable networks and versitility. They will drive the market, I agree. Challenging that somewhat, I also see computer manufacturers doing to consumers what the publishing business is doing to readers-- they are telling us what we want in hopes of making a sale. The whole reason research&development and Marketing was conceived... to make a buck. To summorize: If there is a way to convert "A" drives into external drives w/ reasonable cost, then I'd like to try. If not, I've got some I can sell as replacement parts in old systems - or I can hang on them and make a windchime. Guess we'll see what happens? Thanks for the responses everyone Anyone else have a 'converting' idea? play(ing)itagain...with techsupport

10-11-2004, 08:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
playitagain Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids Posts: 60 OS: win98se	I just demonstrated why... I need proof-readers! Sorry for all the mistakes playitagain...and read it twice!

10-08-2004, 05:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
ksteiger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 405 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Although I can't answer your question directly, have you considered a USB flash drive? I've seen 1GB models on sale for under $60. That's the equivalent of ten 100MB Zip disks, or over 650 floppies! I carry one on a chain around my neck (I'm a network admin) and use it all the time. They're cheap and they're great for quick backups.

10-11-2004, 02:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Microsoft MVP Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 45,495 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux	You have a lot of floppy drives, so what? I have a bunch of buggy whips in my garage, but I don't try to use them to coax my car to go faster! Since it's cheaper to buy the USB drive than to attempt to kludge something onto the existing floppy drives, why bother? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience