[comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc] Floppy hammers when booting

dfs@doe.carleton.ca (David F. Skoll) (10/10/90)

I have a problem with my XT clone - sorry if this problem has been
posted before.

I have a "no-name" XT clone with Phoenix BIOS.  It worked fine with
DOS 2.x.  However, when I changed over to DOS 3.10, the floppy disk
drive head hammered against the mechanical stop whenever I booted.
This happens whether I boot from hard disk or floppy disk.

Even stranger, with DOS 3.20, the hammering problem disappears.  However,
if I boot from drive A: and have a disk in drive B: while booting, the disk
in B: is clobbered and becomes unreadable!  Again, none of these problems
appear with DOS 2.x.

Anyone know why?  Is it my BIOS which is outdated?

Please e-mail; I'll summarize the answers.  Thanks.
--
David F. Skoll        | Department of Electronics | Opinions expressed here are
dfs@doe.carleton.ca   | Carleton University       | my own and not necessarily
(613) 788-5771 | 5772 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada   | those of my employer.