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Thread ID: 84383	2007-11-03 09:55:00	Floppy out : USB in	sarum (6222)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
608065	2007-11-03 09:55:00	I've been told that you can replace the floppy drive with a 2,3, or 4 row of USB connections. Does anyone know if this is true; and if so, where can these things be obtained, and are there any difficulties that elderly wannabe geeks may encounter on the way. Thanks in anticipation............sarum	sarum (6222)
608066	2007-11-03 11:52:00	do you mean remove the floppy drive physically and replace with a three or four port usb connection ?........I'm sure that is possible.....however it's just as easy to put in a usb hub perhaps even easier ?	drcspy (146)
608067	2007-11-03 12:58:00	Are you sure they didn't mean a general "replace" the floppy with usb's as in for thumb drives etc - thats more and more the way things are now. Not much you can fit on floppys these days, whereas flash drives are becoming very large indeed. and with the old floppy's being magnetic, you could easily lose the data just by placing them a bit close to the speakers etc LOL	bevy121 (117)
608068	2007-11-03 14:36:00	I have a port of 4 USBs in place of one floppy...it's an Enermax device...I think it's called the Sigma port or something like that. This Sigma also has built-in CF/SM card readers..but I don't use it for that, as they are all the wrong size for me. All are USB-2, and if you use a hub it will most likely resort to USB-1.. But yes, they do exist.	SurferJoe46 (51)
608069	2007-11-03 16:23:00	You could replace a floppy with something like a card reader. Only thing is, you'll have to disconnect it all the time, if and when you format. As XP's install, reads it as a floppy, and will allocate it a letter (C). I did have an internal card reader on this but found this annoying, (I had to open the case and unplug it, before I reinstalled/formatted), so removed it. This would also apply to external card readers. Or you could have like a panel from some place like Frontx (http://www.frontx.co.nz) BUT, unless you've got 4 + USB headers on the mobo (If u wanted 4 USB connections on the front), then there's no point in getting it. BUT on the above site, you could also have sound/firewire,mic,serial, and printer connections on the front of the case instead (If there arent any connections on the front already, and if there's headers on the mobo for them). But instead of using floppies (neither of these have 1), I just use a bootable USB flash drive.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
608070	2007-11-03 21:19:00	You could replace a floppy with something like a card reader . Only thing is, you'll have to disconnect it all the time, if and when you format . As XP's install, reads it as a floppy, and will allocate it a letter (C) . I did have an internal card reader on this but found this annoying, (I had to open the case and unplug it, before I reinstalled/formatted), so removed it . This would also apply to external card readers . Normally, I don't question your info . . but this is kinda strange . . . . I have the USB's in place of one of my flops, and card readers installed . . . and I don't have that problem at all . Again, bowing to your technological prowess, I am sure that there's some issue involved, but I don't see it on my system . Maybe what you've said isn't so much a rule as your anecdotal experience . . . . . . . and THAT would be in alignment with the differences in various installations and systems . I don't think there are any real rules sometimes .	SurferJoe46 (51)
608071	2007-11-04 03:52:00	Thank you all for your replies. SurferJoe seems to have what I'm after, but as Speedy warns I shall need to have headers on the mother boards. I shall look into these. Back end USB's are a pain these days, with cameras and external storage, and my family never seem to use floppies any more. Thanks for your help, I shall follow these things up and see how it goes...............sarum	sarum (6222)
608072	2007-11-04 03:59:00	You could use USB hubs, and plug one into a USB port at the back. The only thing tho, is some USB devices dont like being plugged into USB hubs and wont work when plugged into one.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
608073	2007-11-04 16:19:00	Call me out of date if you like but I still regard my floppy drive as an essential part of my computer. It gets used at least once a day. It's still faster and easier to keep addresses and phone numbers on a floppy And info that changes at times. If you use cd's or dvd's it's a major job finding what you want and an even longer job changing anything. I keep my floppys in a case where I can find the one I want instantly and can find a phone number even quicker than searching through a phone book. And passwords and user names. I forget these as soon as I use them. Next time I want one instead of e-mailing for help. Just stick the appropriate floppy in and my info is there. And for doing a bios flash, or running something like memtest. And don't tell me floppys have a very limited life. Some of mine are over ten years old and still run perfectly. And I've got a feeling they'll still be working as long as I'll be around. And usb's. I have a total of 12 usb devices. Ever tried finding the one you want to remove from your comp.? Bloody wires and cables. Of course they were a problem when there were only about five of them.:2cents:	JJJJJ (528)
608074	2007-11-04 21:28:00	Call me out of date if you like but I still regard my floppy drive as an essential part of my computer. It gets used at least once a day. It's still faster and easier to keep addresses and phone numbers on a floppy And info that changes at times. If you use cd's or dvd's it's a major job finding what you want and an even longer job changing anything. I keep my floppys in a case where I can find the one I want instantly and can find a phone number even quicker than searching through a phone book. And passwords and user names. I forget these as soon as I use them. Next time I want one instead of e-mailing for help. Just stick the appropriate floppy in and my info is there. And for doing a bios flash, or running something like memtest. And don't tell me floppys have a very limited life. Some of mine are over ten years old and still run perfectly. And I've got a feeling they'll still be working as long as I'll be around. And usb's. I have a total of 12 usb devices. Ever tried finding the one you want to remove from your comp.? Bloody wires and cables. Of course they were a problem when there were only about five of them.:2cents: Yep couldn't agree more. Couldn't live without my floppy drives. Which reminds me - my favourite tech dropped my floppy "out of service" when he put a new hard drive in recently. Guess I have to go in and put it back into the boot up cycle. I hate going into that area. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
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