Reference number: CH000279

Unable to boot from floppy.

Issue:

Unable to boot from floppy.

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

1. Floppy diskette is not bootable or does not have the necessary boot files on the diskette.
2. Floppy and/or boot options are not setup properly in CMOS.
3. Computer virus
4. Floppy hardware issue

Solution:

Floppy diskette is not bootable or does not have the necessary boot files on the diskette

Verify that the bootable diskette has been created properly and contains the necessary boot files to boot from that diskette. Additional information about bootable diskettes, how to create them, and the necessary files required for a diskette to be bootable can be found on our boot disk page.

Floppy and/or boot options are not setup properly in CMOS

Verify that the floppy disk drive is setup properly in CMOS; this should be similar to 3.5, 1.44 MB. In addition, the boot options within CMOS must be properly setup. The standard boot options should be similar to the below example.

1. Floppy diskette.
2. CD-ROM drive.
3. Network (not available on all computers).
4. Hard disk drive. 

Computer virus

It is possible that a computer virus may be present on the computer causing the diskette not to work. Attempt to create another bootable diskette on another computer; once created, write protect the floppy diskette to prevent a possible virus from infecting the diskette when booting from the floppy.

Floppy hardware issue

Refer to  document CH000277 for additional steps on testing the floppy drive and insuring the cables are connected properly.