[robirdman]

I have an old version of MSWord that is on a series of 3.5" floppy discs.  On an older laptop I have a lot of files made with it.  I had a newer version, I think 2000, but not sure if that disc works any more.  I would like to get an upgrade, but they require seeing an earlier version before installing, but lacking a floppy drive I can't get the floppies onto a computer.  Talking to Microsoft got me nowhere. 

Is there a way to join the multiple floppies into a single file that could be saved and loaded to a CDRom to function as needed?

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Hi robirdman,

 

The easiest way by far, is to fit a temporary floppy drive to your computer. Many folks have older computers that often lay unused in their garage or shed... and may be happy for you to take it, to help them clear up.... you can quickly take out the floppy drive and maybe install in your computer.

 

If you prefer to buy one, they are available on well known auction sites for a pound or two or a dollar or three...

 

If you need a brand new one that simply plugs into a USB port then take a look here (it's just an example)

 

http://www.netstored...CFcyRGwoduQQOJw

 

These USB types are more suitable for newer computers that often don't have provision for installing old style 3.5 inch floppy drives.

 

It's possible to do what you suggest, but it's not an easy or a simple procedure and a certain amount of "trial and error" will be required, and of course there is no guarantee of success.

 

Much better is to use the hardware that is available!

Regards

paws

[paws]

Hi robirdman,

 

The easiest way by far, is to fit a temporary floppy drive to your computer. Many folks have older computers that often lay unused in their garage or shed... and may be happy for you to take it, to help them clear up.... you can quickly take out the floppy drive and maybe install in your computer.

 

If you prefer to buy one, they are available on well known auction sites for a pound or two or a dollar or three...

 

If you need a brand new one that simply plugs into a USB port then take a look here (it's just an example)

 

http://www.netstored...CFcyRGwoduQQOJw

 

These USB types are more suitable for newer computers that often don't have provision for installing old style 3.5 inch floppy drives.

 

It's possible to do what you suggest, but it's not an easy or a simple procedure and a certain amount of "trial and error" will be required, and of course there is no guarantee of success.

 

Much better is to use the hardware that is available!

Regards

paws

[robirdman]

 I was looking at one on ebay and was informed that it doesn't work on Win10.  Is that a general problem?

[paws]

Yes Win10  (some builds especially 64bit,) can be problematic, often due to driver issues.

 

Win 10 is often not very good at running older hardware as the development focus has been aimed at more modern hardware.

 

I would be inclined to borrow a USB floppy drive and try that.... or it would be interesting running an earlier operating system from within a VM.

 

If you are determined to get floppy drive support working Ok and all else has failed, then take a look here:

 

http://answers.micro...54f42cbc?page=7

 

This can be an involved procedure (have a look especially at the posts dated Nov 2014) and whilst not guaranteed has worked for a lot of folks.

 

If finally you are still in trouble with getting 3.5 inch floppy drive support then consider using an older hardware setup and earlier operating systems that generally  works Ok "out of the box"

Regards

paws

[robirdman]

Can't text be pasted here.  I have such trouble with this ASUS laptop.  The cursor jumps out of place.  Then a Window popped up and started texting what the radio was playing and then jumped to the Internet to search.  When I came back to continue typing, then it jumped out again and when I came back all my text was gone.  I left to type my reply in an email to myself to then paste here and nothing happens.  Everything is such a problem on this ASUS Win 10 ROG.

[Rikai]

Is Cortana enabled? I've noticed that at times speech will turn to text unless I deactivate Cortana.

[paws]

Hi robirdman,

 

I am sorry for the delay in responding to your last post, unfortunately I did not receive the usual notification that you had replied and it was only when I received notification of Rikai's reply that I became aware.

 

However the symptoms you describe indicate that your computer's settings are configured to use the built in microphone for facilitating speech to text conversions as mentioned by Rikai

 

When it comes to pasting text from an email into the forum, (if you want to use this method of composing your reply) remember that you need to actually send the email and copy the text you wish to paste from the sent item, if you don't follow that procedure there is no guarantee that it will work.

 

Some folks prefer to compose their reply into "notepad" and then copy and paste that into their reply, as always it's your call so do what you find the more comfortable.

Regards

paws

[robirdman]

thanks.  ASUS didn't believe me that Cortana was involved because there was no icon pinned on the bottom menu, but another tech looked further and eventually resolved that.

 

A test paste here of some mail text actually sent did not work either.

 

I bought a floppy drive, and it was recognized in the Win10 computer, but when I put the MSWord disk in, it wasn't recognized.  Tried on a Win7 computer and it didn't show up.  Then I tried on an XP that had a floppy drive.  It didn't recognize if I put anything in its own drive and didn't show the external floppy drive when connected.  Stymied everywhere, I returned the drive to Microcenter.

 

Then I went to the Toshiba that has MSWorks files that would not open on the Works10 version there.  On the Win 98 Toshiba I converted all the earlier documents to a later version that does open if I can get them to the Win10 ASUS.  I found that it can read a CDROM that I have data on, but when I put a blank one in, it doesn't do anything automatically and I can't remember what to do.  This also has a network card inserted that recognizes my router, but if I try to go to the Web, all addresses appear as invalid and bring up nothing.