I had the same thing happen. It took 2 different drives before I found 1
that worked properly. Maybe XP just doesnt like floppy drives. Who knows
but I did find one that worked...eventually!

"Brian Gaff" <Briang1@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:vVKef.9458$Lw5.8506@text.news.blueyonder.co.u k...
> However, I've had a motherboard seemingly lose floppy in this way before,
> for no good reason either. Tried the cable and swapped it, different
> drive, still just runs then gives up. Who knows what chip it is!
>
> Brian
>
> --
> Brian Gaff....Note, this account does not accept Bcc: email.
> graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
> Email: briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
> __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________
>
>
> "James E Middleton" <someone@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:Ol41JHq6FHA.1724@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> I'll take a stab, too. Flip the IDE cable over....
>>
>> (On the grey IDE cable there should be a red line that denotes the 0 pin
>> orientation, but it's not always there or correct.)
>>
>> I've had cables without tabs and floppy drives with open or closed slot
>> orientations. Flipping the cable over almost always works, never hurts to
>> try....
>>
>>
>>
>> "Galen" <galennews@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23uRVcWp6FHA.3588@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>>> In news:es89aSp6FHA.572@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl,
>>> Nick Bradbury <nick66191@hotmail.com> had this to say:
>>>
>>> My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
>>>
>>>> Hi
>>>>
>>>> I am having problems with a Floppy Drive on my PC. On inserting a
>>>> disk (I know disk is OK) the LED on the drive does not come on, when
>>>> I try to open a file on the disk the drive LED comes on and stays on,
>>>> windows displays the hour glass icon but the windows cannot access
>>>> the floppy disk. I then have to end the program with a message "My
>>>> Computer is not responding". I have checked Device Manager and there
>>>> doesn't seem to be a problem with the installation, I have tried to
>>>> update driver but XP says that the driver is up to date.
>>>>
>>>> I have built the PC myself (1st attempt) and all other devices work
>>>> OK, I have Windows XP Pro installed and all Sevice Packs etc are
>>>> installed and up to date. If anyone has any suggestions please let me
>>>> know.
>>>> Many thanks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Nick
>>>
>>> I'll take a stab at it... Open your BIOS Setup Utility on boot and
>>> disable three mode floppy support.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
>>> http://dts-l.org/
>>>
>>> Please note that if you're reading this in a browser and the domain is
>>> not owned by Microsoft then this work is being used without permission.
>>>
>>> Access MS Newsgroups :
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>>>
>>
>>
>
>