PC to AMIGA (Diskette Questions)

[3246251196]

lets say i have an ADF file on my computer..

lets call it: "AmigaSware.adf" ~~ 600Kb (the size that an amiga disk is meant to pretty much max out at :S ?)

can i move that ADF file to a PC Disk (HD) and simply insert it into the amiga.

what do i need to do?

thanks, 324

[oddmario]

Format a 720Kb disk (format a: /t:80 /n:9) then put the adf on there use image2disk or similar on the amiga to make it back to an amigadisk

[amigakit]

To read or write to a real Amiga disk on the PC you will need a Catweasel MK4

[3246251196]

but i only have HD Disks

1.44 Megs.

basically: can you put an ADF stored on the PC to a HD disk and then insert it into the amiga ? or do i have to do something else?

thanks for reply though. 324

[amigakit]

No it won't work as the Amiga 1200 only supports 720K PC formatted disks and 880K Amiga formatted disks

You can cover the hole on the HD disk (not the write protect hole) and this will allow you to format it as a DSDD disk (720K).  Then the Amiga can read that with a program called CrossDOS or Fat95.

The easiest way to transport ADFs in bulk is the A1200 PCMCIA to CF adapter as ADFs are often much larger than 720K.

[InTheSand]

Hi,

You can trick your PC into using an HD disk as DD by sticking a piece of non-transparent tape (like electrical insulation tape) over the HD detect hole. Note that this should only be done for short-term storage.

Also note that an uncompressed ADF file will be more like 900Kb, so you'll probably need to ZIP or LHA it on the PC and then decompress this on the Amiga, or if RAM's a bit short, split the ADF and transfer it in two bits.

 - Ali

EDIT: D'oh! AmigaKit was too quick! :-) You're up late!!

[McSquirrel]

Hi,

as an ADF file is 880KB in size, it may be difficult to put on a 720KB disk... However, many Amigas only come with DD floppy drive, so HD floppies may not work.

So ensure that your Amiga has an HD floppy drive and at least Workbench 2.0 running. Then you can open Shell or CLI and enter "mount pc0:" (to enable reading of MS-DOS formatted floppy disks). If HD floppies don't work, use a DD floppy (or tape the second hole of a HD floppy shut and reformat it), split the ADF into two files (search for a Windows tool called FileSplitter or similar) and rejoin them on Amiga (using JOIN command at Shell). A large Ram Disk or Harddrive may serve as target.

Then you need a tool called TRANSADF or TRANSDISK to transfer the ADF file to an Amiga floppy disk (DD). You find TRANSADF at www.aminet.net or TRANSDISK within WinUAE. Both are command line tools, run them from Shell or CLI.

A quick overview of some data transfer techniques (no real explanation, though) can be found at:

http://mitglied.lycos.de/McSquirrel/en/software/a_exch.htm

If running into problems, feel free to ask again.

-McSquirrel

EDIT: Amigakit and InTheSand were quite fast... or it was me just getting tired...

[3246251196]

so, if you need the amiga to read the disk in its format - then how can you copy the ADF to the disk (when its not in the PCs format - or is there a program for this?)

thanks

[amigakit]

Whilst using the Amiga, use the TRANSADF program from the Amiga Shell to remake the ADF into a real Amiga disk

You can also use the program UNADF to extract the contents of ADF archives if the ADF is an AmigaDOS disk (not custom disk format like some games)

[3246251196]

ok then so AMIGAKIT

ok then i think i get it so far:

1 - when in amiga use this command to set the ADF onto a correctly formated amiga disk right?

2 - questions: firstly, how to i get the ADF into the amiga - what methods are possible

3 - i said a correctly formatted Amiga disk - am i right in saying i could cover the hole of a HD disk up and format it WHEN in the amiga - and this would then become an amiga READY disk

thanks - theres your parts 123 to answer

324

[amigakit]

1. Yes

2. OPTIONS:
1)Amiga Network Card with EasyNet (to network PC to Amiga and access Shares on the PC)
2)The easiest way to transport ADFs in bulk is the A1200 PCMCIA to CF adapter as ADFs are often much larger than 720K.
3)Catweasel MK4
4)Amiga Wireless Network Card with EasyNet

3. Yes you can

[McSquirrel]

@amigakit:

In addition to answer 2:
Using the software PC2Amiga (http://www.winuae.de/download/PC2Am308.lha), you can hook up a PC to your Amiga using a serial or parallel nullmodem cable. Not very fast, but cheap. PC side is acting as slave, while you access the PC harddisk from Amiga.

[3246251196]

and this can all be done in Workbench?

thanks guy?

EDIT: lastly, there is defo no easier way than the way we have stated?

[amigakit]

No this is a pretty comprehensive list

Theres another way (but not easier!): remove Amiga hard disk and connect to PC.  Use WINUAE/AmigaForever to access hard disk and copy ADFs over.

[3246251196]

ok. thats excellent.

can i buy a BUNCH of DDs from your workplace man? (is it true that some Amigas CAN deal with HDs though - or is this merely FALSE?) thanks

324