Unit being worked on;

System: IBM PC 300GL (Desktop)
Model: 6268-43U
Ser. #: 78-W4261
Celeron Proc
256MB Ram

I've never run across something this strange before. I'm hoping someone out there has, and has a solution. The floppy drive in this system doesn't work ~while it's in the system~. Take it out and it works. In any orientation. Switched floppy drives and cables (one at a time of course) with known good units. Everything works until it's placed back in it's bay. Then it doesn't work again. (The bay can't be changed due to the molded front panel.)

I've been to the IBM site, looked up the system (out of warranty of course), and gone through the troubleshooting procedures. These procedures cover seeing if it (floppy drive) works on it's side, then removed from the system. They've got the symptom covered in the procedures so they must know about it. Any links (at IBM) to follow up on this are dead links.

Has anyone experienced such behaviour? Specifically for this system, but any insight will do. ;>)

Thanks Much

So it works if you pull it out of the case, plug the leads in and let it hang there? If this is the case I had a friend with the same problem. The only way he solved it was by using foam from an old mouse mat around the floppy where it sits in the case and no screws. For some reason every time he put it in with the screws done up it would stop working.

Thanks Tassie Devil.

Based upon what I have tried with this system, and the input I've received from various sources, I'm concluding that a Spectre exists in the enclosure. (Some variation of the Hall Effect?) I have grounded the floppy enclosure to the floppy/main drive bay chassis (while outside of the machine) and the floppy still works. In any orientation. It's only while in the bay that it doesn't work. The last thing to try is the mainboard in another ATX tower. We'll see...........

Thanks to all who contributed.