A.P. Lawrence

second floppy disk can't be read

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From: bv@wjv.com (Bill Vermillion)
Subject: Re: Install Problem; Unixware 7.1.1 References: <a1hlq6$f16$03$1@news.t-online.com> <3c3c991c.90772582@64.164.98.7>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 00:32:33 GMT

In article <3c3c991c.90772582@64.164.98.7>,
Matt Schalit <mschalit@pacbell.net> wrote:
>On Wed, 9 Jan 2002 16:00:14 +0100, "Sven Bergmann" <s.bergmann@campus-computer-center.de> wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I cannot read the second boot floppy. Upon inserting the floppy, the system
>>returns this message:
>>
>>Error determining if this is the correct diskette
>>Warning: FDC unexpected state
>>
>>any ideas?
>>
>>My system:
>>Pentium 4; 1,7 GHz; 256 MB RAM; Adaptec 29160N SCSI Controller

>You're going to want to create a new
>second floppy on a new diskette.  It
>sounds like you have a bad one.

The original message hasn't shown up here so I'll reply to Matts
message.

There is case where you can not find the second floppy - ever -
even if the first floppy read just fine.

That is where you have used the swap-floppy in the BIOS setup.

BIOS finds the first floppy.  But remember that Unix systems use
the BIOS only for boot-up, and when it goes to read the second
disk it is going to the disk that is PHYSICALLY at the first floppy
position, while the BIOS has placed the second physical floppy at
the first logical position.

So there is the possiblity that this may be the problem too.
This seems not to be widely known.

Is it in ANY FAQ - or does this knowledge only come when you get
your diploma from TSHK - The School of Hard Knocks.  In case you
haven't guessed I've been there when given HW that I did not set
up.

Bill

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