Floppy or Power Supply issue

[Moki]

I am trying to install a NEC floppy and although the floppy has been installed and recognized, it seems it is not getting power. I pulled a known working floppy out of my older computer, but get the same problem. I know I'm probably not supposed to do this, but since I can't find my power meter, I left the computer on and unplugged and replugged in the known working floppy. I heard a definite clicking, as if power surged into it, but the light didn't come on and it wouldn't recognize a disk. (Both floppies work in my older computer with no problems.) The wires from the power supply go first to my dvd/rw then off to the floppy. My dvd/rw is getting power and is working just fine. I'm stumped. Is there a setting that I'm not aware of that regulates voltage? Or a setting in set-up that I'm not aware of?

Also, this may be related. I cannot use my thumb-drives in my usb ports, each time I plug one in, it tells me there is a power surge on the hub port. I haven't tried to trouble shoot this yet, but maybe they're part of the same problem?

[Mesaeus]

Originally Posted by Moki Also, this may be related. I cannot use my thumb-drives in my usb ports, each time I plug one in, it tells me there is a power surge on the hub port. I haven't tried to trouble shoot this yet, but maybe they're part of the same problem?

Whoa there ! A power surge ? That's pretty bad news and almost guaranteed to be related to your floppy problem. Get another PSU ASAP. Incidentally, how does Windows report a power surge on the USB ports ? What is the exact message ?

Edit : I have found some info that indicates a USB power surge message isn't always a problem, but it would still be handy if you could check with another PSU to see if the floppy power problem is related to that. Also, it could be that the floppy cable/connector on the mb is damaged.

[kev7555]

Are you sure you have the ribbon cable plugged into the floppy correctly?

Try reversing it.

-Kev

[Moki]

"Whoa there ! A power surge ? That's pretty bad news and almost guaranteed to be related to your floppy problem."

Well, no, actually I figured that one out here a few minutes ago. I had the connectors backwards on the motherboard. Flipped 'em around, and "voila!" After some research today, I understand that there are many reasons for the quite common "usb hub power surge" issue, one of them being the upgrade to SP2. Fortunately, that wasn't my problem.

"Are you sure you have the ribbon cable plugged into the floppy correctly?"

My system recognizes the drive and shows that it is installed and "working properly." Remember, it isn't getting POWER. I'm not sure exactly how it can be recognized without having power, but that's what's going on. Also, the floppy works fine on my old computer.