HELP! Cannot transfer files from PC to Amiga 500 in ANY way!

[Matt_H]

Welcome, Laura!

Unfortunately it's not possible to write ADFs to disk without an actual Amiga or without other specialized hardware (Catweasel, Kyroflux, etc.). While the Amiga can read and write PC-format 720K disks (with CrossDOS), the reverse isn't true. You can't write ADFs to disk with just a standard USB floppy drive.

So I think your best bet is to try to get Amiga Explorer working. Then you'll be able to write ADFs over the serial connection using the 500's floppy drive. I've only ever used Amiga Explorer over TCP/IP, so I don't have any advice on using it over Serial/USB, but it sounds like you're on the right track with getting the new cable. Is the USB adapter definitely working? Cloanto has some decent support documentation on their site about making the hardware connection.

One thing that jumps out at me is that your WinUAE version is fairly old, which makes me wonder if your version of Amiga Explorer might also be out-of-date. Make sure you've got the latest to take advantage of bugfixes. While it's not likely, there's also the possibility that the 500's serial port is fried. (Just in case you forgot: never hotplug anything into an Amiga.)

What are your plans for the system? i.e., are you just looking to play games or are you looking to set up an actual computing environment to do other things as well? The answer to that question will influence recommendations for upgrade paths.

[Matt_H]

This kit on eBay is still the easiest, cheapest, fastest way to transfer adf images to your real Amiga....   

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amiga-Pc-ADF-File-to-3-5-Disk-Parallel-cable-Transfer-Kit-Easy-Fast-Cheap/272363110828?hash=item3f6a1b41ac:g:g-4AAOSw~G1Z2kcG

No slots for a parallel port/card on an iMac, unfortunately.

[Matt_H]

I think you've got the right plan: New null modem cable with Gotek as a secondary option. There *is* a standalone version of CrossDOS that's compatible with 1.3 (CrossDOS v5 or below) but if you can get either of the other methods working you won't need to transfer via floppy disk.

(Another option if you don't want to replace the internal floppy: an external Gotek. You could then diskcopy from DF1 to a real disk in DF0 or remap DF0 to DF1 with a tool like Degrader.)

I don't quite follow you re: FS-UAE and the USB floppy, but the same hardware limitations apply: it wouldn't have worked as an Amiga floppy drive. It might have been presenting as a floppy-sized storage device passed through from the host system, but it wouldn't have worked as a "true" Amiga floppy. But that doesn't matter if you can get Amiga Explorer or the Gotek operational.

Hope you get up and running soon - let us know how it goes.

[Matt_H]

Personally I avoid nullmodem cables (it’s too easy to fry CIAs) and instead use a tiny bluetooth-rs232 dongle that is powered with 5V from within the Amiga. It’s then easy to establish a wireless nullmodem connection on top of that.

That’s some 21st-century thinking . Can you explain more about how those work? You plug it into the Amiga, power up, then push a button and it becomes discoverable by the other computer? How do you adjust settings like baud rate, null modem vs. straight-through, etc? Is there a particular model you can recommend?