Transferring files from Apricots


Introduction

This is the most common need people contact me for. The most typical case is some files (eg SuperWriter files) are on Apricot floppy disks and need to be brought to a modern PC or Mac and loaded into a modern word processor (eg Microsoft Word).


How do I get my files?

There are usually two distinct steps which need to be performed:
1 Retrieve the files from the Apricot disks to a modern computer. This is the first obstacle because IBM PC compatibles cannot read the Apricot disks formats.
2 Convert the files into a usable format. This must be done becase modern software usually does not understand the old file formats (for example Microsoft Word cannot load SuperWriter files).

Step 1 - How to retreive the files from the Apricot disks to a modern computer Approximate cost System required
Option a - use Ansible Apedrive Purchase and install Apedrive. Insert the Apricot disk, run Apedrive and select the "from" and "to" locations (drive with the Apricot disk and a directory on your PC). Select copy and the files from the disk will be copied to your hard drive. Apedrive costs about US $30. Apedrive runs on IBM PC compatibles under MS-DOS, Windows 95 and Windows 98 (in DOS mode). You may not be able to use it under Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
Option b - use PC-Lect Purchase and install PC-Lect. Insert the Apricot disk, run PC-Lect. Select the correct disk format and copy the files to your hard drive. PC-Lect costs about US $70. PC-Lect runs on IBM PC compatibles under MS-DOS, Windows 95 and Windows 98 and Windows ME. It will not work under Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
Option c - send me the disks (not more than 4 disks please!) Mail the disks to me (see contact page). Include a letter describing your request ("please retreive the files from these disks") and your return email address. I will then email a ZIP file back to you with the files included. I will not normally return the disks. Postage - about US $5 None.


Step 2 - How to convert the files into a usable format Approximate cost System required
Superwriter files Option a - Apedrive Apedrive comes with a utility to convert SuperWriter files to Wordperfect files. Once this is done, a modern application such as Microsoft Word will usually be able to load the file. US $0 (comes with Apedrive)
Superwriter files Option b - WinConv


Products and tools mentioned above
Apedrive See Ansible on the Companies page.
PC-Lect, WinConv See Logiciels & Services Duhem on the Companies page.