1

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?

5
  • If a discussion is what you want, this is the wrong place...
    – soandos
    Jul 25, 2011 at 1:31
  • I edited your question a little so that it avoids being closed.
    – n0pe
    Jul 25, 2011 at 1:41
  • Why on earth close this? Sheesh.
    – b w
    Jul 25, 2011 at 2:18
  • Well, the mods have the power. Oh well....
    – stanigator
    Jul 26, 2011 at 4:08
  • Just another idea what to do with it: youtu.be/dmoDLyiQYKw :-)
    – doncherry
    Jul 28, 2011 at 15:20

2 Answers 2

3

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.

1
  • 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.
    – Teddy
    Jul 25, 2011 at 6:25
1

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.

5
  • 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.
    – n0pe
    Jul 25, 2011 at 2:06
  • I don’t think slipstreaming is legal without a valid OEM agreement with Microsoft.
    – kinokijuf
    Jan 24, 2012 at 12:17
  • MS supports it - nlite/vlite et al merely make it doable for mere mortals
    – Journeyman Geek
    Jan 24, 2012 at 12:27
  • @JourneymanGeek The article is for updates, not drivers.
    – kinokijuf
    Mar 8, 2012 at 12:49
  • 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

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .