Floppy Disk Drive Does Not Appear in the My Computer Folder (817196)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, the floppy disk drive may not appear in the My Computer folder. In Device Manager, the device status for the Floppy Disk Drive returns the following error message:

Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the SmartDisk FlashPath Monitor from Synchronized Technologies, Inc. is installed. When you start the computer, this program typically loads automatically and changes the registry settings that belong to the floppy disk drive.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. To resolve this issue, remove the FlashPath Monitor from the Startup folder, and then edit the registry settings for the floppy disk drive.

To remove the FlashPathMonitor from the Startup folder, follow these steps:

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Startup, and then right-click FlashPath Monitor.
Click Delete, and then click Delete Shortcut to confirm the deletion.

To repair the registry settings for the floppy disk drive, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, in the Open box type regedit, and then click OK.
In Registry Editor, locate, and then click the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Flpydisk
In the right pane, click ImagePath.
On the Edit menu, click Modify.
In the Edit String dialog box, under Value data, type system32\drivers\flpydisk.sys, and then click OK.
On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

812489 The Floppy Disk Drive Is Missing From the My Computer Folder