bob dole says visit the microsoft knowlegebase at support.microsoft.com and search under windows xp 'floppy drive' to find many other eye-opening ideas about this. bob dole says make sure all your windows updates and service packs are installed.
here is one such article...
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 812489
The Floppy Disk Drive Is Missing From the My Computer Folder
SYMPTOMS
In Windows XP, you may notice that the floppy disk drive does not appear in the My Computer folder. You may also notice that the floppy disk drive is listed as the number 37 or 39 in the Device Manager.
CAUSE
This issue may occur if there are corrupted or incorrect keys in the registry.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, delete the corrupted or incorrect registry keys. To delete the keys, follow these steps:
Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Run box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E980-E325 11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
In the right pane, click Upperfilters, and then press DELETE.
When you are prompted to do so, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
In the right pane, click Lowerfilters, and then press DELETE.
When you are prompted to do so, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
Restart your computer.
REFERENCES
For additional information about missing devices, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
314060 CD-ROM Access Is Missing and Messages Cite Error Code 31, Code 32
817196 Floppy Disk Drive Does Not Appear in My Computer System Folder
