I have found a floppy drive lying around. However, as all my computers are connected to the net, I won't be needing it. What would be your recommendations for it, especially if I bump into situations where I may need it to repair really old computers?
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If a discussion is what you want, this is the wrong place...– soandosJul 25, 2011 at 1:31
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I edited your question a little so that it avoids being closed.– n0peJul 25, 2011 at 1:41
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Why on earth close this? Sheesh.– b wJul 25, 2011 at 2:18
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Well, the mods have the power. Oh well....– stanigatorJul 26, 2011 at 4:08
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Just another idea what to do with it: youtu.be/dmoDLyiQYKw :-)– doncherryJul 28, 2011 at 15:20
2 Answers
I'd keep it. Some BIOS updates are still written to be booted/loaded from a floppy. You can get around this, of course, but it makes the process more of a hassle. Hang on to it.
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I agree - I just had a need to run the Hitachi Disk Fitness Test, which comes as an installer which creates a bootable floppy disk only.– TeddyJul 25, 2011 at 6:25
I'd say toss it. Pretty much the only reason you'd need a floppy drive in anything that runs a semi modern OS is for inserting drivers into xp (and you are better off slipstreaming drivers).
I have a spare usb floppy drive, but i haven't used it in the 8 years or so i've had it.
The one situation where i see a floppy drive is for installing really old oses without a bootable cd.
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1+1 for the old OS'. Note that there are a lot of floppy linux distributions. Plus, having floppys around makes you look pretty badass.– n0peJul 25, 2011 at 2:06
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I don’t think slipstreaming is legal without a valid OEM agreement with Microsoft. Jan 24, 2012 at 12:17
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MS supports it - nlite/vlite et al merely make it doable for mere mortals– Journeyman Geek ♦Jan 24, 2012 at 12:27
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1"How to slipstream hotfixes that replace pre-existing driver files" "Note The instructions in this article are intended for slipstreaming driver-related hotfixes only. Non-driver hotfixes or security hotfixes must be slipstreamed by using the instructions that are documented in the following Knowledge Base article" Feel free to back up your initial assertation with a citation– Journeyman Geek ♦Mar 8, 2012 at 12:54