Floppy Disk Drive Installed & Can't Open Floppy Disk With Information (Text and/or Pictures)

Suzanne H,

How do you have your FDD connected to the computer?

Thank you for giving me your time and knowledge.  I have checked to make sure that all electric plugs are in and all connection plugs are in the right  holes, if that is what you meant by my FDD.  I am not very knowledgeable of this computer or setting it up.  I had a friend install the parts sent to me from Dell and he followed exactly as demonstrated in book.  Please explain what I have to do to get a link from the pulldown menu when I request "open" and box with list of the C,D, & E drives & special folders like My documents, Suzanne's documents, shared documents.  I believe I should have a 31/2" ...disk link shouldn't I?  Suzanne

Yes you should.  Why don't you post what notebook and what kind of floppy (media bay or USB) you have so we can be more helpful.  All info you can provide helps us.

John:  Thank you for your support.  I used the Work Perfect workbook and the floppy disks are powerdiskMFD 2 HD 3.5" (90mn) ...Micro Floppydisk/Double Sided/High Density.  Suzanne

You are missing the point - the floppy drive - is it in the Media Bay or is it external and plugs to the USB jack?  What notebook do you have??

John:  Thank you again for sticking with me and my lack of knowledge on computers period.  My fdd is inside the "tower" or media center....where the CD's go and where the burner is.  My notebook is WordPerfect I believe.  I did finally figure out how to do the flashBIOS update, which I did per the instructions for installing the floppy disk drive.   STILL NEED HELP ON OPENING UP THE FLOPPY DISK....AND / OR  CHECKING TO SEE THAT THE FDD WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY.  Thanks again for your time and it must seem crazy for those of you who know computers inside and out, when someone I me isn't even sure if notebook is the name of the office product installed into my machine...Suzanne H  Stranded on the super highway!!!!!

wait - sounds like wires may be crossed here. "Notebook" in this context refers NOT to a piece of software, but a laptop or portable computer (the names are interchangable). Is that the system you have? Or is this a desktop computer? That sounds more likely for a looking inside the "tower".

Can you tell us the name of the system. like, "Dimension 3100" or "inspiron 5150" or something like that. What did dell call the system when you bought it? that's the info we're after.

The assumption up to now has been that we're dealing with a laptop/portable/notebook computer (since this is a laptop forum). In which case, the floppy drive is either inside the laptop, or it's outside and connected via a cable.

Can you clarify?

John:  Again I show my ignorance.  I didn't know that it was laptop forum here.  I am using a desktop dimension 2400 series from dell.  The floppy disk drive was not included in it and therefore I had a friend put the fdd in for me as per the instructions exactly as directed per the instruction book that came with the floppy disk.  We believe the fdd is install properly and that all the plugs are inserted into the computer correctly.  When I try to open the floppy disk that I have opened before on another computer (its O.K.), I don't have a 3 1/2 " disk drive link to open the floppy disk.    The instructions recommended a flash BIOS update program floppy disk or CD. I don't have this.  I downloaded a Flash BIOS update program from Dell Support Downloads and don't know if this will be the cure to recalibrating the computer for floppy disk...Need instruction on how to use this download to get a 3 1/2 " disk  LINK onto my menu so I can request opening the 3 1/2 " disk to word perfect to view the pictures and text on the floppy disk...Thank you again for your expertise....Suzanne

Sorry to take a while - I've been away.  As the desktop computer is starting up, just after you turn it on, hit the key designated on the screen to get into the BIOS - usually that is DEL or F2.  When you get into the BIOS, look and see if the 3.5" floppy is recognized by the BIOS.  If it isn't, then the floppy cable or the power cable to the new floppy drive is on wrong or missing.  I do not have a Dell Desktop nor remember a Desktop's BIOS well enough to be more specific.  If you need more clarification, I would ask your questions on the Dimension - General Hardware forum - use the forum pulldown menu above all these posts to find that forum.  In asking your question there, make sure to tell them your Dell desktop computer model - it should be on the front plastic and say something like Dimension 4500 or such.

John:  Thank you so much for your information.  It is quite clear and concise and I will check thru BIOS/F2 to see if 3.5 Disk recognized and if not go back to drawing board on installation....You have helped me tremendously....Hope all is well for you today...Suzanne