Okay. my little brother's PC laptop has issues.  

Dell Latitude P3 processor Windows 2000professional.

I have a laptop identical to it and mine does not have the problem. Sometimes his computer does not let you choose a drive to save to or OPEN from because it gives you no drives in the pull-down list.  

Problem mostly noticed when floppy drive is in, but not usually when CD drive is there.

Neither machine is connected to the internet so we're pretty sure that it isn't viruses.You can not see the drives in My Computer?They show up there, just not when you're in an application and you go to save your work, the stupid little pull-down menu thing that SAYS c: doesn't say anything. it doesn't happen all the time, but RANDOMLY and unpredictably. usually they come back if you try 2 or three times or whatever. I fixed it once, but don't remember what I did. :-/ If you fixed it once, can you remember what caused it to happen?nope. never knew the cause. but i did something (don't know what) and it fixed it. but you gotta fix it every time it does it cause it does it again eventually even if you fix it.  :-/Have you looked for the latest Windows 2000 updates? PERHAPS a fix is included.But how come his computer does it, when my machine is fine? our laptops are identical. User ABUSE?Is there something we can do to fix this (without having to download an update via modem connection and running up the phone bill)?f8 on boot.........chose last good config........try another fdrive caddy.......pins maybe worn out..We thought of that, and put my drive in his machine, but his machine did the same thing. and my machine did NOT have ANY problems with his drive. Quote

We thought of that, and put my drive in his machine, but his machine did the same thing. and my machine did NOT have ANY problems with his drive.

Not sure how it should be configured. . .but i can check the settings and get back to you tomorrow. . .