Floppy disk(s) fail (80) + flakey keyboard

[paperscratcher45]

Hi All. I'm having some issues with and older model eMachine. I am the original owner. It is about 7 years old. Here's some specs:

- eMachines H2482
- AMD Athlon XP 2400+
- XP Home SP2
- eMachines AM37 mobo

The only hardware additions/changes to the original machine that I made are:

1. added 256 MB to the original 256 MB (512 MB DDR PC2100 now). This was done the day after the original purchase
2. added a 9 GB HD that was given to me about a year ago. I formatted it as soon as I installed it. This HD still sits empty, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

There are no periferals involved (not even a printer). Although it is connected to my home network & high speed cable internet via a D-Link WBR-3210. It is also somewhat connected to another much newer machine via a LinkSys 2-port switchless KVM (model: KVM2KIT).

For the past 4 months it has been used exclusively for transfering torrents. This means it has been powered-on for 24 hours a day, about 6 and a half days a week. I do turn it off ocasionally to give it a break.

Prior to my problem the last thing I did was close down Bit Torrent and do a Windows Update. I don't think there was anything major in the update list because I do it weekly.

I restarted the eMachine after the update & got the following error:

- "Floppy disk(s) fail (80)"

I was given the option of continuing anyway (F1 command) or entering set-up (Esc command). Neither worked. The computer seemed frozen & the lights were out on the keyboard.

I removed the KVM and did a hard re-boot. I wanted to eliminate the KVM as a reason for my keyboard not communicating with my computer. I don't believe the KVM to be the source of that particular problem.

From this point on I just left the KVM out of the scenario all together.

I then connected the keyboard, mouse & monitor directly to my other computer. All worked fine. I'm using the same keyboard to type this thread right now.

I then moved back to the floppy problem.

I happened to have a spare floppy drive kicking around that a friend at work gave me. He gave it to me when I was building this second computer but I decided not to install it for reasons unimportant to this post. He does however say that it works fine. I trust his expertise on this.

I hooked that floppy to the eMachine with a brand new data cable. This is the Asus cable that came with my new mobo in my new machine. I also have faith in this cable.

I got the following error:

- "Floppy disk(s) fail (40)" {notice "(40)" instead of "(80)"}

I was given the same command options, but again they didn't work. The computer seemed frozen.

Then I realized my error. I did a hard-shut down & connected the power to the new floppy drive. Duh.

I powered back on & Windows loaded. I thought I had it figured-out as a failed floppy drive.

I tested the mouse. It worked.

I tested the keyboard by hitting the "Start" key. It worked.

I opened EI7 to further test the keyboard in a search engine (seemed as good of a test as any). The keyboard was non-responsive & the lights were out. I should mention now that this is a brand new Microsoft keyboard. I think it should also be working fine.

I did not test the floppy drive.

I closed IE7 & shut-down the computer using the mouse.

I booted back up & entered the BIOS using the Delete key on the keyboard. It respnded to the command and let me into the BIOS, but there was no response from the keyboard once I was in.

I did yet another hard re-boot & ended up back at

- "Floppy disk(s) fail (80)"

Does anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this? I hope it is not my mobo on the fritz.

Thanks!

Sorry for the novel.

PS45

[Atomic Rooster]

Try disabling the floppy seek in the BIOS and see how that goes.

[paperscratcher45]

That was my original intent in going to the BIOS. The computer froze & I cannot get back in. It seemed random so I'm going to keep trying.

[Atomic Rooster]

I saw this: Floppy disk fail (40) or (80) error. But it looks like you've done everything it suggests.

[paperscratcher45]

Ya'. I've tried those things. I just tried a few more times to get into my BIOS with no luck. It still doesn't seem to be recognising that I have a key board. I don't want to keep doing these hard re-boots & cause another problem.

[paperscratcher45]

I think it's time for me to go to bed. I just decided to mechanically re-set the CMOS by removing the battery for a minute or so. I put the battery back in & powered back up. Now I don't even get video. I do however get a few beeps & chirps from the mobo when I power-up. I applaud myself on a job well done. Not.

[Chuckiechan]

Given the amount of hours on your machine, I'd try to find another power supply to test in there.

And I worked on an E Machine once, it had the chip in some kind of verticle slot arrangement. I had to pull it forward with duct tape to get it to run reliably.

Try your basic "tug and wiggle" diagnostic!

[excuzzzeme]

"80" usually means your IDE cable is on backwards or not connected completely

[paperscratcher45]

Thanks Chuckiechan! I swapped-out the power supply & I'm back in business. I could not find a 150W to replace the old one with so I went with a 250W.

Thanks again.
PS45