[OPLINTECH] Floppy disk problems

[Phil Shirley]

We also have patrons bring us floppy disks that used to work on our 
public computers but don't anymore (W2k says the disk is unformatted).

Some questions for everyone:

1.  Does any library out there sell flash memory drives to patrons (or 
have plans to do so)?  We sell floppies only (50 cents each).

2.  Can anyone recommend a source for inexpensive flash memory drives? 
(I know NEO-RLS is considering a group purchase of these for their gold 
members.)  The $5-10 price that Avery mentioned (below) is very intriguing.

3.  Even when we encourage the use of flash memory drives and discourage 
floppy use, some people will still want or need floppy drives in our 
public computers for a while.  What's the best way to make these work as 
well as possible, in addition to cleaning the drives regularly?  Would 
replacing the floppy drives on our older computers be a good idea?  Most 
of our public computers are at least 4 years old, and we're not going to 
be able to replace the computers soon; I see that you can get a Sony 
floppy drive for under $20.  It seems pretty labor-intensive to make 
adjustments to our old floppy drives as described in one of the links 
someone provided, and they may be rather worn anyway.

4.  When a patron comes up with a floppy disk that our W2k computers 
used to be able to read but can't read anymore (they say the disk is 
unformatted), our Win98 computer can often read some or all of the files 
on it.  I assume that Win98 is just more forgiving of disk errors, but 
does this point to a different problem than the misalignment/etc. that 
has been described here?

Phil

Avery Shifflett wrote:
> Dan,
> 
> It may sound odd, but I believe the floppy disk problem exists on purpose.
>  I really think floppy disks/drives are being designed flawed in order to
> aid the phase-out process.
> 
> I used to be able to carry a floppy disk in my pocket, throw it around,
> and use it on any computer...no matter how dirty or old the drive was and
> had no problem at all.  I still have floppy disks off in a corner that I
> obtained back in the early 90's.  They *all* still work on any computer
> and in any floppy drive.  But, I'm lucky to get a couple disks in a brand
> new box of floppies, no matter what brand, to work at all.  Coincidence? 
> I don't think so.
> 
> In conclusion, I think we need to go with the tide in this instance and
> start recommending that patrons and staff alike get something like a flash
> drive.  They can be obtained for $5-10 (128MB) and are much more durable
> and hold a lot more.
> 
> ---Avery Shifflett
> Technology Coordinator
> Carroll Co. Dist. Library
> 
> 
>> Folks
>>     I am starting to see more and more problems with floppy disk not
>> being able to be read on both our public and staff machines.  So far I
>> have not been able to find any thing common with these occurances as the
>> next disk will work just fine.  In some cases the files were created on
>> computers out side the library and in some they were created in house
>> and the disk never left the building.  I have even replaced some of the
>> drives which did not cure all. The computers are all running windows
>> 2000 and the patches are up to date.
>>     If any one has any ideas, their input would be much appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks in advance............
>>
>> --
>> Dan Moore
>> Automated Services Coordinator
>> Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike Co.
>> 207 N. Market St.
>> Waverly, Ohio. 45690
>>
>> gawasc at oplin.org
>> Phone: 740-947-4921
>> Fax: 740-947-2918
>>
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> 
> 
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-- 

Phil Shirley
Technology Services Coordinator
Cuyahoga Falls Library
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
330-928-2117, ext. 109
pshirley at CuyahogaFallsLibrary.org