These days, they're dinosaurs, but not too many years ago, floppy disks were all the rage, and even today, businesses are still using them to back up old files or to extract old records. The 3.5 floppy disks were the storage medium of choice until recently, when compact disk media and low-cost external flash drives came around.

Business operators and managers still use floppy disk drives in a variety of situations, especially with old desktop computers that manufacturers shipped with standard floppy disk drives. You may be looking for a floppy disk drive in situations like these:

1. To provide continued back up capabilities for old file systems where the medium has always been 3.5 floppy disk drives.
2. To get data off of old floppies and onto new media without using USB technology.
3. As part of maintaining old data systems, in workstations that still use smaller amounts of data, like old DOS-based text programs holding simple client or product records.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get old desktop computer models

One of your first stops on a hunt for floppy disk drives should be a seller of old desktop computers. You can often get a whole desktop unit including the disk drives for not much more than you would pay for a drive. You can use old desktops as stand-alone stations for file backups or data transfer from floppy to new media.

I recommend: Check out desktop deals at Discount PC International. For another spot for purchasing old desktops, check out Newegg.com where you can find deals on old computers complete with floppy disk drives.

Obtain internal floppy drives

If you have old workstations where an existing floppy disk drive has failed, you may be looking for a quick replacement. You can still find old floppy drives for sale, especially for the common 3.5 inch 'hard' floppy versions. Get a new internal drive, check for specs, and get your basic workstation running and handling files on floppies again.

I recommend: Teac offers a variety of internal floppy drives for sale for older computers. For chain store enthusiasts, you can still even buy floppy drive models at Circuit City online, making returns a little easier.

Find external floppy disk drives to hook up to your workstations

If you need a new drive, or need to connect for data upgrades and transfers, you can get external floppy disk drives to get floppy data onto new media, or vice versa. Mixing and matching data types is made easy with external drive options that you can easily connect to your newer workstation.

I recommend: Get external floppy drives at reasonable prices at TigerDirect. On the Geeks.com retail site, you can find external floppy drives fitted with USB connectivity and other USB floppy disk drive models for easy setup and transfer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider a data upgrade. When you've sorted out your floppy disk drive needs, think about eventually getting your data onto smaller media for easier portability.