s'ware needs floppy key to run/no floppy-drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter sdlomi2
  • Start date Start date
S

sdlomi2

I've got a laptop w/NO floppy drive. I'm trying to install s'ware that
uses a floppy key to install. Works fine in my desktop using its floppy.
If I buy an external USB-driven floppy, will it show up as "Floppy (A:)" in
Windows Explorer? That would be necessary. BTW: I've tried burning the
extracted files[it's a self-extracting file that extracts only to a Floppy
(A:)] to a cd, but one of the several files won't burn--fails caching in
NERO.
Any other ideas how to make a 'virtual floppy' showing as a real Floppy
(A:) on the laptop?
I've copied to a thumb drive all the extracted files, but that one.
But, no good w/o that one--may be no good WITH it, but was trying to use
Th-Dr with its letter changed to 'A' via the Administrative Tools; am using
XP PRO/ SP2.
Thanks for all the help offered. s
 
I've got a laptop w/NO floppy drive. I'm trying to install s'ware
that
uses a floppy key to install. Works fine in my desktop using its
floppy. If I buy an external USB-driven floppy, will it show up as
"Floppy (A:)" in Windows Explorer? That would be necessary. BTW:
I've tried burning the extracted files[it's a self-extracting file
that extracts only to a Floppy (A:)] to a cd, but one of the several
files won't burn--fails caching in NERO.
Any other ideas how to make a 'virtual floppy' showing as a real
Floppy
(A:) on the laptop?
I've copied to a thumb drive all the extracted files, but that
one.
But, no good w/o that one--may be no good WITH it, but was trying to
use Th-Dr with its letter changed to 'A' via the Administrative Tools;
am using XP PRO/ SP2.
Thanks for all the help offered. s
Click to expand...

Did you even Google "virtual floppy" ?

http://www.google.com/search?q='virtual+floppy"&start=0&ie=utf-8
&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official
 
DanS said:
I've got a laptop w/NO floppy drive. I'm trying to install s'ware
that
uses a floppy key to install. Works fine in my desktop using its
floppy. If I buy an external USB-driven floppy, will it show up as
"Floppy (A:)" in Windows Explorer? That would be necessary. BTW:
I've tried burning the extracted files[it's a self-extracting file
that extracts only to a Floppy (A:)] to a cd, but one of the several
files won't burn--fails caching in NERO.
Any other ideas how to make a 'virtual floppy' showing as a real
Floppy
(A:) on the laptop?
I've copied to a thumb drive all the extracted files, but that
one.
But, no good w/o that one--may be no good WITH it, but was trying to
use Th-Dr with its letter changed to 'A' via the Administrative Tools;
am using XP PRO/ SP2.
Thanks for all the help offered. s
Click to expand...

Did you even Google "virtual floppy" ?

http://www.google.com/search?q='virtual+floppy"&start=0&ie=utf-8
&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official
Click to expand...
Thanks for replying. Yes, I've been googling and reading/studying the
info surrounding similar situations all day. I'm learning things I never
knew--isos, "mounting" images, how to configure Thumbdrives to emulate
c-drive, running into "page no longer available" links, how to make a
Thumb-Drive emulate LS-120 drives, etc. Most recently been
downloading/studying WinImage in hopes I can find and do something with that
"one" file I am yet to be able to copy. I'll need it IF I find a way to
make a thumb-dr. emulate an A-drive. Do YOU know if an external floppy
drive, USB-driven, will show up on a laptop as a Floppy-A drive? Don't mind
at all buying one; but as I read, it may be dependent on the motherboard
having parallel (capabilities? of some type??).
I know how tired a person can get with one as un-knowledgeable as
I--esp. when asking without first attempting to find answers on his own.
However, I assure you this is not one of those instances. I'd rather, any
day, find out by myself ; but sometimes one just HAS to ask.
BTW: thanks for the above link. I'm headed there now. Would be great
if you can answer my concern about an ext. floppy showing up as a Floppy-A
drive. Thanks, again. s
 
I've got a laptop w/NO floppy drive. I'm trying to install s'ware that
uses a floppy key to install. Works fine in my desktop using its floppy.
If I buy an external USB-driven floppy, will it show up as "Floppy (A:)" in
Windows Explorer? That would be necessary. BTW: I've tried burning the
extracted files[it's a self-extracting file that extracts only to a Floppy
(A:)] to a cd, but one of the several files won't burn--fails caching in
NERO.
Any other ideas how to make a 'virtual floppy' showing as a real Floppy
(A:) on the laptop?
I've copied to a thumb drive all the extracted files, but that one.
But, no good w/o that one--may be no good WITH it, but was trying to use
Th-Dr with its letter changed to 'A' via the Administrative Tools; am using
XP PRO/ SP2.
Thanks for all the help offered. s
Click to expand...

Yeah, an external floppy should work. My laptop came with one because
there was no way to install Windows without it (drivers needed to see
the HD.)
 
I know how tired a person can get with one as un-knowledgeable as
I--esp. when asking without first attempting to find answers on his
own. However, I assure you this is not one of those instances. I'd
rather, any day, find out by myself ; but sometimes one just HAS to
ask.
BTW: thanks for the above link. I'm headed there now. Would be
great
if you can answer my concern about an ext. floppy showing up as a
Floppy-A drive. Thanks, again. s
Click to expand...

I have zero experience w/external floppy drives. Sorry. I would think you'd
be able to change it to any available letter within XP.

Is this PLC software by any chance ?
 
DanS said:
I have zero experience w/external floppy drives. Sorry. I would think
you'd
be able to change it to any available letter within XP.

Is this PLC software by any chance ?
Click to expand...
dom, reversed
 
sdlomi2 said:
I've got a laptop w/NO floppy drive. I'm trying to install s'ware that
uses a floppy key to install. Works fine in my desktop using its floppy.
If I buy an external USB-driven floppy, will it show up as "Floppy (A:)" in
Windows Explorer?
Click to expand...

Yes, it would.


That would be necessary. BTW: I've tried burning the
extracted files[it's a self-extracting file that extracts only to a Floppy
(A:)] to a cd, but one of the several files won't burn--fails caching in
NERO.
Any other ideas how to make a 'virtual floppy' showing as a real Floppy
(A:) on the laptop?
Click to expand...

Maybe... not tried this myself.

http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vfd.html
 
I've got a laptop w/NO floppy drive. I'm trying to install s'ware that
uses a floppy key to install. Works fine in my desktop using its floppy.
If I buy an external USB-driven floppy, will it show up as "Floppy (A:)"
in
Windows Explorer?
Click to expand...

Yes, it would.


That would be necessary. BTW: I've tried burning the
extracted files[it's a self-extracting file that extracts only to a
Floppy
(A:)] to a cd, but one of the several files won't burn--fails caching in
NERO.
Any other ideas how to make a 'virtual floppy' showing as a real
Floppy
(A:) on the laptop?
Click to expand...

Maybe... not tried this myself.

http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vfd.html
Click to expand...

Thx, Paul. I had looked at that site earlier but I must admit it was
beyond my computer-comprehension. Your concern is nonetheless appreciated.
s
 
dom, reversed
Click to expand...

I haven't tried that out yet. Suprised it uses a floppy disk key.

Next step is to be able to make an image or copy it.

WinImage may be your best bet.
 
DanS said:
I haven't tried that out yet. Suprised it uses a floppy disk key.
Click to expand...

The key is relatively simple, yet somewhat effective. Has 4 files in
it. When used, it 'deposits' one of the files with the install, leaving
only 3 files still on the floppy. Hence, the key will not work with another
installation.
 
The key is relatively simple, yet somewhat effective. Has 4 files
in
it. When used, it 'deposits' one of the files with the install,
leaving only 3 files still on the floppy. Hence, the key will not
work with another installation.
Click to expand...

Interesting.

I wonder what it actually does with the file on the floppy. Possibly it can
be 'unerased'. Although, I think they would have thought of that.
 
DanS said:
Interesting.

I wonder what it actually does with the file on the floppy. Possibly it can
be 'unerased'. Although, I think they would have thought of that.
Click to expand...

maybe, maybe not. Sometimes they change a byte in one of the other files
too.
 
Back
Top