floppy drive problem/the disk says is write protected

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tHi all, can anyone help, on putting a floppy disk into the drive and trying
to format it an error message comes and says the disk is write protected. the
first thing i thought of was the tab on the disk but that is not it. i did a
few weeks ago make some changes to my system but I do not rember doing
anthing with the floppy drive. it will read disk and display what is on them
but it will not let you delate or format disk. I just do not know where to
start looking for anser to this problem can anyone please help as I have a
lot of stuff on floppy disk
 
Technicsman said:
tHi all, can anyone help, on putting a floppy disk into the drive and trying
to format it an error message comes and says the disk is write protected. the
first thing i thought of was the tab on the disk but that is not it. i did a
few weeks ago make some changes to my system but I do not rember doing
anthing with the floppy drive. it will read disk and display what is on them
but it will not let you delate or format disk. I just do not know where to
start looking for anser to this problem can anyone please help as I have a
lot of stuff on floppy disk
Click to expand...


Floppy disk drives do fail. If the write-protect tab on the floppy
is in the proper position, then the write-protect sensor in the
floppy disk drive has become defective. Test the floppy diskette in
another computer with a known, working floppy disk drive. If the
floppy diskette is OK, then make one last check of the cable inserts
and power. Use compressed air to gently clean out the diskette slot.
If still not working, then note that floppy diskette drives are
relatively inexpensive and can be easily replaced.
 
Technicsman

This may not be easy for you to do but since you asked....

First, you're absolutely sure that you have tried several floppies and that
the write-protect hole has the tab covering it - right?

Next, remove the floppy from the PC and remove the front bezel. It is
normally held on by friction fit with a plastic tab or two on the sides.
Push the tabs in using a small screwdriver or paper clip and the bezel
slides off.

With the drive being held in the normal position (not upside down),
typically you will see a pin like mechanism on each side with a piece of
metal that acts as a shield and forms part of the track guide for the
floppy.

When the floppy is inserted with the write-protect (tab over hole) off, this
keeps the pin from extending up through the floppy. This is obviously tied
to an electronics circuit that signals the write-protect feature is off and
you can write to the drive.

In your case, it sounds as though you may have some sort of mechanical
failure that is holding the pin down. With no floppy in the drive you
should be able to push on the (left side) pin and push it down and it should
spring back up. Maybe some dust bunnies, bent guide, broken pin...? If
it's an electronic problem, not much you can do nor is it worth your time to
try and fix it. New floppy drives sell for $3 to $20USD depending on where
you get them.

If you have a spare drive cable around or another computer you could borrow
one from to use as a test - try that also. Be sure to look at the pins on
the back of the floppy too - did you bend any? It's easy enough to do and
you can still get the cable to seat. If you have bent them, a pair of very
small needle nose pliers, medical clamps (can't think of the name of those
at the moment) or even a hefty pair of tweezers will work. Bend the pins
back into position slowly and be sure they are aligned. Then while the drive
is out, put the cable on to insure it will go on and no pins are bent again.

If you install the cable upside down, the drive simply won't work and no
harm is done. Just flip the connector over. Most drives are keyed so you
cannot put a cable on wrong and the cable connector itself may be keyed by
having one of the center sockets plugged.

Clean it, check the mechanical sensors (pin), check the connector pins and
swap the cable. If that doesn't work - get out the crowbar on your wallet
and get a new drive.

Bob S.
 
tHi all, can anyone help, on putting a floppy disk into the drive and trying
to format it an error message comes and says the disk is write protected. the
first thing i thought of was the tab on the disk but that is not it. i did a
few weeks ago make some changes to my system but I do not rember doing
anthing with the floppy drive. it will read disk and display what is on them
but it will not let you delate or format disk. I just do not know where to
start looking for anser to this problem can anyone please help as I have a
lot of stuff on floppy disk
Click to expand...

Some motherboards have an option for disabling write operation to a
floppy disk in bios. Check if you have not accidently enabled that
option. But if it worked before and now it doesn't, it is most probably
hardware problem. Try what others suggested and then go to buy new one,
it costs only about $6. If you won't be successful with new floppy, in
most shops they will take it back and return you the money, you don't
risk anything and this is the easies way to go ;)

Y.
 
I have the same problem. I have put in two other drives, one new, and one
known to work on another system, as well as putting in a different cable. I
can read the disk, but not write to it, format, or delete the contents. I
have removed and allowed reinstallation of floppy drivers and FDC drivers,
all to no avail.
 
I know you have to ask the question -- akin to "did you plug it in?", but the
tab is in the Write ENABLE position, hole covered. (It had been a while, so
just to make sure, I tried it the other way too.)
 
I would then check the data cable running to the drive, remove and
reinsert both ends, also if the cable is damaged. If all else failed the
drive write protect sensor may be bad, but you can only replace drive at
that point.
 
I've replaced both cable and drives without resolving the problem. (In this
replacement, I tried both new drives and cables, and a drive and cable known
to work in another PC.)
 
Bob,
I can't say that it works that way for ALL floppy disks, merely all of those
that I've tried. The system is based on a 2-year-old Intel MB, with the most
current BIOS and I've removed (and permitted auto reinstallation of floppy
drivers and floppy controller driver.)
 
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