3 1/2 floppy drive names accumulate and are wrong!

For some reason Win98 won't keep track of the directories on the
floppies:
Example:
Two floppies. both have only one subfolder each with many files in
each subfolder
Disk 1 has folder Book 1, nothing else in root
Disk 2 has folder Book 2, nothing else in root

Windows Explorer shows
3 1/2 floopy (A:\)

after inserting Disk 1 [containing Book 1] correctly shows the
subfolder
\Book 1

It's ok to use the disk a great deal.

then insert Disk 2 [containing folder Book 2]
keeps old display and adds the folder name
\Book 1
\Book 2

Book 1 comes up with 'no access', can't delete name
and only Book 2 works to get to files.

Even VIEW/REFRESH does nothing to change either the display or the
access.

Switch back to Disk 1 and View/Refresh display stays the same, but now
access only to Book 1 [after all it's the only one that exists after
inserting Disk 1]


But sometime after such a sequence, Win98 doesn't notice Disk 1 is in
and can't gain access to anything ?!

View/Refresh does not solve, but Reboot solves problem temporarily,
but comes right back.

What is going on? How do I truly refresh the 3 1/2 floppy access so
the directory listing exactly relates to the disk's contents?

Robert

Robert A. Macy wrote:
For some reason Win98 won't keep track of the directories on the
floppies:
Example:
Two floppies. both have only one subfolder each with many files in
each subfolder
Disk 1 has folder Book 1, nothing else in root
Disk 2 has folder Book 2, nothing else in root

Windows Explorer shows
3 1/2 floopy (A:\)

after inserting Disk 1 [containing Book 1] correctly shows the
subfolder
\Book 1

It's ok to use the disk a great deal.

then insert Disk 2 [containing folder Book 2]
keeps old display and adds the folder name
\Book 1
\Book 2

Book 1 comes up with 'no access', can't delete name
and only Book 2 works to get to files.

Even VIEW/REFRESH does nothing to change either the display or the
access.

Switch back to Disk 1 and View/Refresh display stays the same, but now
access only to Book 1 [after all it's the only one that exists after
inserting Disk 1]


But sometime after such a sequence, Win98 doesn't notice Disk 1 is in
and can't gain access to anything ?!

View/Refresh does not solve, but Reboot solves problem temporarily,
but comes right back.

What is going on? How do I truly refresh the 3 1/2 floppy access so
the directory listing exactly relates to the disk's contents?

Robert


Robert:

I believe your floppy drive has a mechanical problem with the small
switch that detects when a floppy is inserted or removed. If you have
access to another floppy drive I suggest you try swapping the two
drives and see if the problem persists.

HTH & GL

John

--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - 40.4913ºN,79.904ºW - http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6

On Oct 19, 11:13*am, John Dulak wrote:
Robert A. Macy wrote:
For some reason Win98 won't keep track of the directories on the
floppies:
Example:
Two floppies. both have only one subfolder each with many files in
each subfolder
*Disk 1 has folder Book 1, nothing else in root
*Disk 2 has folder Book 2, nothing else in root

Windows Explorer shows
*3 1/2 floopy (A:\)

after inserting Disk 1 [containing Book 1] correctly shows the
subfolder
*\Book 1

It's ok to use the disk a great deal.

then insert Disk 2 [containing folder Book 2]
*keeps old display and adds the folder name
\Book 1
\Book 2

Book 1 comes up with 'no access', can't delete name
and only Book 2 works to get to files.

Even VIEW/REFRESH does nothing to change either the display or the
access.

Switch back to Disk 1 and View/Refresh display stays the same, but now
access only to Book 1 [after all it's the only one that exists after
inserting Disk 1]

But sometime after such a sequence, Win98 doesn't notice Disk 1 is in
and can't gain access to anything ?!

View/Refresh does not solve, but Reboot solves problem temporarily,
but comes right back.

What is going on? *How do I truly refresh the 3 1/2 floppy access so
the directory listing exactly relates to the disk's contents?

Robert

Robert:

I believe your floppy drive has a mechanical problem with the small
switch that detects when a floppy is inserted or removed. If you have
access to another floppy drive I suggest you try swapping the two
drives and see if the problem persists.

HTH & GL

John

--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * \\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - 40.4913ºN,79.904ºW -http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6

Thank you for your reply.

Without swapping in a different unit, is there some check I can
perform to see if indeed this switch has turned intermittent?

Robert

On Oct 19, 11:13*am, John Dulak wrote:
Robert A. Macy wrote:
For some reason Win98 won't keep track of the directories on the
floppies:
Example:
Two floppies. both have only one subfolder each with many files in
each subfolder
*Disk 1 has folder Book 1, nothing else in root
*Disk 2 has folder Book 2, nothing else in root

Windows Explorer shows
*3 1/2 floopy (A:\)

after inserting Disk 1 [containing Book 1] correctly shows the
subfolder
*\Book 1

It's ok to use the disk a great deal.

then insert Disk 2 [containing folder Book 2]
*keeps old display and adds the folder name
\Book 1
\Book 2

Book 1 comes up with 'no access', can't delete name
and only Book 2 works to get to files.

Even VIEW/REFRESH does nothing to change either the display or the
access.

Switch back to Disk 1 and View/Refresh display stays the same, but now
access only to Book 1 [after all it's the only one that exists after
inserting Disk 1]

But sometime after such a sequence, Win98 doesn't notice Disk 1 is in
and can't gain access to anything ?!

View/Refresh does not solve, but Reboot solves problem temporarily,
but comes right back.

What is going on? *How do I truly refresh the 3 1/2 floppy access so
the directory listing exactly relates to the disk's contents?

Robert

Robert:

I believe your floppy drive has a mechanical problem with the small
switch that detects when a floppy is inserted or removed. If you have
access to another floppy drive I suggest you try swapping the two
drives and see if the problem persists.

HTH & GL

John

--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * \\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - 40.4913ºN,79.904ºW -http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6

John,

I tried using the Device Manager and Reresh both the flopply
controllers [used to work when the keyboard got flaky]

But to no avail.

What did seem to work is to right click on 3 1/2 Floppy and select
Explore, that causes everything to be read anew!

The floppy drive is over 15 years old and our atmosphere is noted for
ruining contact switches: Unused extension telephone no keypad
functions. DVD Players within six months switches don't work. VHS
Player same. TV long since quit, etc etc so it seems possible that
the switch detecting a new disk is not closing.

Robert

On Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:48:47 -0700 (PDT), "Robert A. Macy"
put finger to keyboard and composed:

I tried using the Device Manager and Refresh both the floppy
controllers ...

You have *two* floppy controllers?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

On Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:48:47 -0700 (PDT), "Robert A. Macy"
put finger to keyboard and composed:

I tried using the Device Manager and Refresh both the floppy
controllers ...

You have *two* floppy controllers?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Robert A. Macy wrote:


Without swapping in a different unit, is there some check I can
perform to see if indeed this switch has turned intermittent?

Robert

Robert:

The implementation will vary depending on the manufacturer and the
model. If you are comfortable taking the thing apart you can look for
something near the opening that is triggered when a disk is inserted
or ejected. Typically these switches are similar to the two that are
used to sense the state of the "Write Protect" slide (left) and the
presence of the hole that tells the drive is a 1.44 Meg and not a 720
K disk (right). A drop or two of alcohol and working the switches a
few times can also work.

While inside it is also worthwhile to re seat the cable a few times
(both ends) just in case it has gone haywire.

Good Luck.

John

--
\\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - 40.4913ºN,79.904ºW - http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6

On Oct 19, 12:05*pm, Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:48:47 -0700 (PDT), "Robert A. Macy"
put finger to keyboard and composed:

I tried using the Device Manager and Refresh both the floppy
controllers ...

You have *two* floppy controllers?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

oops, one is disk drive, the other is disk controller, but I always
refresh both.

On Oct 19, 12:05*pm, Franc Zabkar wrote:
On Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:48:47 -0700 (PDT), "Robert A. Macy"
put finger to keyboard and composed:

I tried using the Device Manager and Refresh both the floppy
controllers ...

You have *two* floppy controllers?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

oops, one is disk drive, the other is disk controller, but I always
refresh both.

On Oct 19, 2:58*pm, John Dulak wrote:
Robert A. Macy wrote:

Without swapping in a different unit, is there some check I can
perform to see if indeed this switch has turned intermittent?

Robert

Robert:

The implementation will vary depending on the manufacturer and the
model. If you are comfortable taking the thing apart you can look for
something near the opening that is triggered when a disk is inserted
or ejected. Typically these switches are similar to the two that are
used to sense the state of the "Write Protect" slide (left) and the
presence of the hole that tells the drive is a 1.44 Meg and not a 720
K disk (right). A drop or two of alcohol and working the switches a
few times can also work.

While inside it is also worthwhile to re seat the cable a few times
(both ends) just in case it has gone haywire.

Good Luck.

John

--
* * * * * * * * * * * * * \\\||///
------------------o000----(o)(o)----000o----------------
----------------------------()--------------------------
'' Madness takes its toll - Please have exact change. ''

John Dulak - 40.4913ºN,79.904ºW -http://tinyurl.com/2qs6o6

Good ideas. Taking apart now is not an option. especially that
cabling idea. Will keep in mind for when I do get access to the PC