brianZ
08-16-2001, 11:22 AM
Hi everyone,
Well, a brief overview of the computer system that I'm working on should give some insight to the nature of my problem:
CPU: none
Memory: 640 K
Drive(s): 2 5.25 Floppies
8 bit ISA slots for: Printer, rs-232, monitor, and floppy controller.
The question you probably have is "Why are you messing with that?". Answer: Because I have no choice. The computer controls a device called a micro-punch, which when it was made, had the software somehow dedicated to a ROM chip on the motherboard (At least that's what the company who made it tells me). So, rather than hold up the works by redesigning the system and writing the software (and still praying everything works with the punch itself), I decided to try some minor improvements. With two down, the only thing remaining is to try to replace the B drive with a 3.5 floppy. DOS runs off the A drive, so it usually dosen't get opened and closed. I'm worried about failure with the B drive because disks go in and out all the time (dust, etc). The problem is that when I tried to run a 3.5 floppy on there, it recognized it (led on, drive spins) but would not work. I know DOS 3.3 supports the 3.5 floppy, so I wonder if it might be the controller card, or do I need some sort of driver? Can anyone offer a suggestion (aside from blowing it up). Thanks gang.........brianZ
Well, a brief overview of the computer system that I'm working on should give some insight to the nature of my problem:
CPU: none
Memory: 640 K
Drive(s): 2 5.25 Floppies
8 bit ISA slots for: Printer, rs-232, monitor, and floppy controller.
The question you probably have is "Why are you messing with that?". Answer: Because I have no choice. The computer controls a device called a micro-punch, which when it was made, had the software somehow dedicated to a ROM chip on the motherboard (At least that's what the company who made it tells me). So, rather than hold up the works by redesigning the system and writing the software (and still praying everything works with the punch itself), I decided to try some minor improvements. With two down, the only thing remaining is to try to replace the B drive with a 3.5 floppy. DOS runs off the A drive, so it usually dosen't get opened and closed. I'm worried about failure with the B drive because disks go in and out all the time (dust, etc). The problem is that when I tried to run a 3.5 floppy on there, it recognized it (led on, drive spins) but would not work. I know DOS 3.3 supports the 3.5 floppy, so I wonder if it might be the controller card, or do I need some sort of driver? Can anyone offer a suggestion (aside from blowing it up). Thanks gang.........brianZ