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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... – soandos Jul 25 '11 at 1:31
I edited your question a little so that it avoids being closed. – MaxMackie Jul 25 '11 at 1:41
Thanks @MaxMackie for the edit. – stanigator Jul 25 '11 at 1:51
Why on earth close this? Sheesh. – bill weaver Jul 25 '11 at 2:18
Well, the mods have the power. Oh well.... – stanigator Jul 26 '11 at 4:08
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closed as not constructive by random♦ Jul 25 '11 at 2:15

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2 Answers

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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. – Teddy Jul 25 '11 at 6:25
up vote 1 down vote

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. – MaxMackie Jul 25 '11 at 2:06
I don’t think slipstreaming is legal without a valid OEM agreement with Microsoft. – kinokijuf Jan 24 '12 at 12:17
MS supports it - nlite/vlite et al merely make it doable for mere mortals – Journeyman Geek Jan 24 '12 at 12:27
@JourneymanGeek The article is for updates, not drivers. – kinokijuf Mar 8 '12 at 12:49
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"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 '12 at 12:54

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