Computer troubleshooting
 
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Hi, my wife tried to use a credit card online by inserting it into the floppy port of our pc. I have tried to fish it out but looks like it will have to come apart to retrieve the card. Is that a easy task to do? Thanks.

By jedd Asked Dec 23 2007 11:21AM
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Top Answer out of 149

by You have no idea I am here on Dec 23, 2007 at 11:22 am Permalink

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Sorry... not an answer... but a "Thank you" for making me giggle this afternoon. =D
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Avatar Ekalavya Mar, 22 2008 at 10:36 AM
I really want to know how a human mind can think of such ingenious ways of getting things done. Though it gives us a good laugh, maybe Steve Jobs can come out with a new Apple that actually will have a slot for using Credit cards in a more secure way and we can build enough security into it so none else (esp CC identity thieves) can use the CC for online transaction. What a great idea! Will Steve Jobs look into that? I hope he rewards both your wife and me for giving such a suggestion. Or do we patent the thought, Jedd?
Avatar Musicological May, 28 2009 at 03:18 AM
Well it sounds like an old joke, did you hear the one of the very old man that read fluffy instead of floppy and tried to insert his 'fluffy thing' inside the disk? it is about the same :-)
In any case if it is not a joke it should be really easy to retrieve, just take out the four screws (two on each side of the floppy, even maybe a slide-in in some brands) and shake it a few times with the opening facing down.
To make sure, just do it yourself, do not let your wife try it! :-)
Avatar tary jon little Aug, 12 2009 at 01:33 PM
how well you did that would be great please dont say not an anwswer that is a question fool try hardcer

Answer 2 out of 149

by john pennington on Dec 24, 2007 at 7:21 am Permalink

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Pardon my laughter, but this is a first.....

Inserting a credit card into a computer port?

Uhhhhhhhh.........did she really expect this to work?

Anyway, take the cover off the computer. you should be able to retrieve "the credit card".
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Avatar zwatcher Jul, 29 2009 at 09:39 PM
the floppy drive is self contained, major disassembly required.
Avatar Prunesquallor Nov, 04 2009 at 03:43 AM
No, it isn't a first. It's a very old joke.
Avatar zwatcher Nov, 04 2009 at 07:12 PM
try folding a strip of tape sticky side out, over something thin like a butter knife and inserting it into the drive above the card then press down and slowly extract it.

Answer 3 out of 149

by iwnit on Dec 23, 2007 at 5:25 pm Permalink

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If it does not work as you try, you could try to put it apart.

1) Here are the instructions to replace a floppy disk drive, take care that you exactly take note of what you are doing:

"How To Replace a Floppy Disk Drive How-To > PC > Floppy
Caution: Please read our safety information before attempting any testing or repairs.

Before replacing any of the fans, unplug the PC to avoid an electrical shock hazard. Exercise caution as there are sharp edges on a PC and its components. Always wear a static electricity discharge strap when working with your PC's components to avoid damaging your PC.

Unplug the PC.
Disconnect all wires from the back of the PC.
Open the case.
If replacing a floppy drive disconnect the power and interface cables from the drive and remove the retaining screws from either side of the drive.
Identify the position of the #1 pin on the interface connection on the back of the drive.
Choose the location for the floppy drive so that the drive will have a opening in the case's face plate and so that the power and interface cables will reach the drive.
Mount the drive so that he eject button is under (not over) the slot for the floppy.
Connect the interface cable so that the cable's #1 pin matches the drives #1 pin.
Connect the power wire to the drive.
Position the drive and secure with the mounting screws. Always use the screws supplied by the manufacturer. Screws of the wrong size or length can damage the drive.
If it is not already, connect the interface cable to the motherboard's controller labeled "FDD" so that the cable's #1 pin matches the motherboard's #1 pin.
Double check all of your connections.
Replace the cover.
Reconnect the wires removed in step 2.
Plug in the PC.
It may be necessary to configure this drive in the BIOS settings."
Source:
http://www.acmehowto.com/.../replace.php


Once the floppy disk is outside, it could be easier to take the card out.


2) The following reference contains also "a brief video of a diskette being inserted. Look for the silver, sliding door opening up and the read/write heads being lowered to the diskette surface."
So you get a better idea how it is inside.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/floppy-disk-drive2.htm
http://static.howstuffworks.com/mpeg/floppy-disk-drive.mpg

If nothing works or if you don't make it, you could try to bring the computer to a repair shop and explain the urgency.
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Avatar Anonymous Nov, 22 2008 at 03:33 PM
Hey, iwinit, you answered one of my questions before, right?
Avatar iwnit Nov, 23 2008 at 04:06 AM
Anonymous: yes, this one:
http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/4287149
My user name is "iwnit" with only 2 "i"'s, by the way...
Avatar dgardner Jan, 06 2009 at 08:45 PM
Also before you open the pc but after you have unplugged it hold in the power button for at least 30 seconds to get rid of any residual electricity in the pc.
Also if you have a camera on your phone take a pic of the back of the pc before you unplug the wires so you know where everything goes

Answer 4 out of 149

by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on Dec 23, 2007 at 5:30 pm Permalink

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You are pulling our crank aren't you?
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Avatar Jenn really misses her boy Dec, 23 2007 at 05:31 PM
That was my first assumption...but then I think about a few of the people I know, and I wonder! lol
Avatar Cowboy-Read My Profile Dec, 24 2007 at 07:18 AM
Either way it is still funny.
Avatar zwatcher Jul, 29 2009 at 09:43 PM
i believe it, i have seen some really, really stupid things, like the time i was sent to a hotel room to replace a coffee maker that wouldn't turn on, i walked into the room and saw right away why.
there was the coffee maker, sitting on the counter top with the cord hanging down the front of the counter, unplugged! i plugged it and, surprise, surprise, surprise, it worked fine.

Answer 5 out of 149

by caffey4 on Jan 31, 2008 at 6:59 am Permalink

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There is no way that this can be real, this is too funny. I am sorry to hear that your wife has no common sense. It is an easy task to find someone else, maybe you can use that same credit card and get a russian mail order bride. They probably wont even know what a computer is, so your problem will be solved!!!
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Answer 6 out of 149

by Jade on Jan 31, 2008 at 7:04 am Permalink

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OMG!! Whether this is real or not..it is hilarious!! There was a question earlier about why there are still Darwin awards...(she is not left unsupervised for long periods, is she?) ;-)
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Avatar rubee Jan, 20 2009 at 12:34 AM
lol i guess shes not supervised at all..!!
this was question was hilarious by the way..!!

Answer 7 out of 149

by Anonymous on Oct 17, 2008 at 8:29 pm Permalink

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This is the best laugh i had after a long time. Thanks for making my day.

get a nice pair of thin tongs and try to get it out if you are not joking
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Avatar Anonymous Feb, 25 2009 at 03:17 PM
this is hilarious.

Answer 8 out of 149

by Smart2 is back to what passes for normal on Sep 16, 2008 at 12:32 pm Permalink

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First, take the computer completely apart. Find a box and pack it securely and ship it back to the manufacturer along with a hand-written note to the manufacturer that your wife is too freakin' stupid to own a computer so you no longer have use of it.
Let us know how that works out for ya!!
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Avatar gnaprgr May, 28 2009 at 09:30 AM
That is mean
Avatar Smart2 is back to what passes for normal Jun, 15 2009 at 01:47 PM
and you don't see the stupidity in trying to use a home computer as an ATM?????
Avatar zwatcher Jul, 29 2009 at 09:46 PM
at least she didn't try to make her own web page by gluing cut out pictures and text to the monitor

Answer 9 out of 149

by Alan on Dec 31, 2007 at 9:58 am Permalink

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Take the computer apart. Unscrew the side part, and then pull the front side out. A normal pc chassis should work. Then take the floppy drive cover off, and try to pull it out with an pair of tweezers.
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Answer 10 out of 149

by JTP on Jan 31, 2008 at 6:56 am Permalink

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First-go with Alans answer.

Second, I do hope you married down.
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Hi, my wife tried to use a credit card online by inserting it into the floppy port of our pc. I have tried to fish it out but looks like it will have to come apart to retrieve the card. Is that a easy task to do? Thanks.

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