I connected the external floppy drive to a USB hub which in turn is connected directly to a USB port on my Dell desktop which runs Windows XP Home Edition 64 bit version and the drive just runs and will not operate. I also connected the external floppy drive to another Dell desktop, directly to a USB port, and the external floppy drive operated correctly on the other desktop which runs Windows Vista Home Edition. Are there any settings that need to be changed on the desktop computer that runs Windows XP Home Edition 64 bit version? Or must the external floppy drive be connected directly to a USB port on the computer instead of to a USB hub?

first off why run XP the Virus magnet?,Microsoft and hp dropped
support on this 3 years ago,,
not only that XP does not support most USB devices.
sure some old devices, but not new ones. (unless maker says otherwise and offers software to run on XP)

you are direct connected. to USB to external HDD.
That external disk, my guess has no external supply right?
that means it will overload many Latptops
the power spec, on USB varies, by different ports used and maker of the laptop...
I solve that horror by only buying external HDD what have wall power pack connected, mine is 12vdc 2amps, and will work on any PC made , ANY !
it uses its own power, so never overloads that weak PCs USB port.
here is the USB spec from WIKI page "USB" 0.5amps is gutless.

• 0.5 A (USB 2.0)<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
• 0.9 A (USB 3.0)
• 5 A (BC 1.2)
• 3 A (type-C)
• Up to 5 A (PD)

0.5 amps that is, 500mA, about 1/2 what hdd needs. to be happy.

yours is the first one, the weakest they made.
that is not enough current to spin up any HDD, from dead start.
cures: (all)

1. get an external SSD drive,
2. use and external case on external drive with its own powerpack
3. buy and an EXTERNAL USB powered hub that is USB3 rated and it might run your drive connected to it.
4. get newer laptop, one with USB 3 and runs w7 or newer.

I too am having a problem with the Sabrent floppy drive.
I'm running a windows 7, 64bit system, everything installed ok,
but I kept getting a "install disk" message every time I tried to
access the drive. (I did have a disk installed.)
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Hi,

The below is on the basis that the drive is visible in "Computer"...


This can be tow thing, one the drive is not receiving enough power from your USB port, try unplugging any addtional USB devices connected to the PC, if this doesn't work try a powered USB hub. Second the floppy disk is faulty or the drive itself is faulty.

Hope this helps, let me know how it goes.

Thanks

I believe it's a usb connection? It should work on xp. The only problem i can think of is the driver, which should be available on their website. Is it an Imation brand?

Try plugging into windows xp and if it will ask for a driver then head over to manufacturer's site and download the appropriate driver.

for imation external floppy drivers, click here.

hope this helps.

You should test this external floppy drive on another computers. If it doesn't work on any PC you should probably return it.

Though if this problem is exclusive to your PC there's somethings you can check:

• That your Hard Drive is the appropiate format in order to be recognized by your machine (NSTC).
• That you're plugging it directly to a usb port on your PC and not on a USB hub since these devices require a lot of power and sometimes a USB hub doen't have enough to power it.

Check Ebay for the proper cable for the Dell floppy drive. Only a few dollars and plenty of them. All of the floppy cable will work on your C800. Note: the floppy cable is not the same as the CD cable. They do not interchange. You must get a floppy cable.
XP will recognize a USB floppy once XP is installed, but you won't be able to boot from it to install XP since the USB drivers aren't installed until Windows is installed.

I devised these simple steps that tend to remedy quite a few issues with most USB portable / external hard drives and devices (though not always)

A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems similar steps may be adapted to suit.

1. Ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability

2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer. Not all USB cables are equal even though they should be)

3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.

4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply Don’t use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating e.g. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly.

5. Always use the same port for connecting your devices. Some devices do not like being switched about. If switched they may want to install software / drivers again. This can be especialy true if you move a HUB to another port

If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues then check your hardware from CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM / HARDWARE.
Any exclamation marks by hardware need fixing before you investigate any further

I devised these simple steps that tend to remedy quite a few issues with most portable / external hard drives and devices (though not always)

A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems similar steps may be adapted to suit.

1. Ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability

2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer. Not all USB cables are equal even though they should be)

3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.

4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply Don’t use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating e.g. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly.

5. Always use the same port for connecting your devices. Some devices do not like being switched about. If switched they may want to install software / drivers again. This can be especialy true if you move a HUB to another port

If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues then check your hardware from CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM / HARDWARE.
Any exclamation marks by hardware need fixing before you investigate any further

Any USB external Floppy drive will work with any computer with a USB port, but if you have Windows 98 you will need an USB driver.

I devised these simple steps that tend to remedy quite a few issues with most USB portable / external hard drives and devices (though not always)

A few things to check but assumes USB and Windows for other interfaces / operating systems similar steps may be adapted to suit.

1. Ensure it is connected directly to the computer to a USB 2.0 port not a USB 1.0 port as this can have effects on performance and reliability

2. Use only the cables that came with it NOT one that fits that may have been lying around or is longer. Not all USB cables are equal even though they should be)

3. Do not connect through an external USB HUB unless that hub is USB 2.0 AND has its own power supply.

4. Use ONLY the power supply that came with it if it has an external power supply Don’t use any other unless you know it has both the same voltage and current rating e.g. 12V 500mA anything rated below that would not work properly.

5. Always use the same port for connecting your devices. Some devices do not like being switched about. If switched they may want to install software / drivers again. This can be especialy true if you move a HUB to another port

If you checked and fixed anything there and still have issues then check your hardware from CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM / HARDWARE.

Any exclamation marks by hardware need fixing before you investigate any further
For MAC users I am sorry but apart from the above steps that is all I can offer.