http://www.bootdisk.com/ 0025 December 2007
HouseCall
Welcome to the 25th Edition of HouseCall
INDEX
1) Floppy Disk Read Problem
2) CR2032 CMOS Battery
3) AXS To FTP Files Via Browser
4) 7,200 Vs 10,000 RPMs
5) A Voltage Problem?
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1) Floppy Disk Read Problem
billb asked - My OS is XP Pro on both computers. Comp1 will not read any floppy disk; it does not see the disk in the drive and commands "insert disk." when I click on floppy drive A in My Computer. I should note that some time ago, these disks were read by comp1 and it operated properly.
Comp2 reads all the disks. I bought a new floppy drive, as I wanted to use the Windows backup that requires a boot floppy (or is there another way?) Same problem with new drive. Exchanged drives with comp1 & 2; 1 still does not see disk, 2 sees disk.
Ken B. replied:
If these diskettes were formatted by Windows 9x, this is the media descriptor byte problem described at:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=140060
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2) CR2032 CMOS Battery
Phil inquired - My CMOS battery was a 2032 3V, 190 MAH Coin Lithium. I replaced it with a 2032 3V, 230 MAH coin Lithium. Will the difference in MAH cause any problems.
*** Not that I am aware of. A 2032 is a 2032.
Uberfish added:
maH is basically the total charge the battery can hold. the bigger the number, the longer it can run.
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3) AXS To FTP Files Via Browser
Murphy posted - I am having trouble connecting to the web for certain download links. I have XP home and use IE. I get a message saying no connection to FTP, How do I fix this?
*** By default, some browsers have trouble linking to FTP downloads.
http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/WolfCreek/problems.htm
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4) 7,200 Vs 10,000 RPMs
Dave questioned - I am putting together a new computer. My son suggested a 75 GB 10,000 rpm SATA internal drive for speed purposes.
philo answered:
Look carefully at all the specs. Many "standard" 7200 rpm drives have seek times about the same as 10,000 rpm drives. If I were building a machine today, I'd probably opt for a 500gig 7200 rpm drive.
*** I'd stick with 7,200s until the 10,000s become more standardized.
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5) A Voltage Problem?
sicc wrote - I need to get another hard drive for storage, I'm going to get something at 500GB or larger. After reading reviews on new-egg I'm all freaked out about hard drives pooping out after 2 weeks. What's the best brand of hard drive?
Western Digital
Seagate
Hitachi
SAMSUNG
*** These days there is no such "best" brand. Many hard drives fail due to a bad power supply that is sending out too much voltage on the 5 volt line. Before you replace a hard disk, make sure, using a digital voltmeter, that your 5 volt line is OK.
Power Supply Reference Sheet
Here are the ATX allowances for power supply voltage spec deviation, measured at the motherboard power connector, negative test lead on the chassis frame for reference ground.
+12VDC output +/- 5% (11.4V to 12.6V) This rail may deviate up to +/- 10% if the supply is under peak loading.
+5VDC output +/- 5% (4.75V to 5.25V)
+3.3VDC output +/- 5% (3.14V to 3.47V)
-5VDC output +/-10% (-4.50V to -5.50V)
-12VDC output +/- 10% (-10.80V to -13.20V)
+5VSB +/- 5% (4.75V to 5.25V)
If measurements show that the voltage deviations are outside the ranges specified above, then it's time to get a new power supply. Generally when a power supply starts to fail the voltages go up. For example, on many PCs I've replaced hard drives on the 5 volt line when it reads perhaps 5.4 volts, but I only put in the replacement HDD after I replaced to PS. Whether that was the reason for the hard drive failure I dont know, but I'd always insist on a new PS before I put in a replacement drive if the voltages were above the normal tolerances. After all, one has to guarantee the new HDD and after loading all the customers programs and data you certainly dont want to go back an redo the job.
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