Re: Archiving DOS 3.2 software

[Stephen Shaw <xstephenx@apple2.org.za>]

On Fri, 24 Aug 2001 08:18:33 -0500, noone@nowhere.net wrote:

> Such complex questions for so early inthe morning...
>
> How particular are you?  Do you want to actually use native DOS 3.2 disks?
> DOS 3.2 disks with 16 sector boot track?  All you want is the files?
>
> Ideally you would find a 12 sector controller for a Disk ][.  By the time
> you get that someone here should be able to get you a copy of Copy II Plus
> 4 or 5 which can do file manipulatioon on DOS 3.2 disks.

I have the DOS3.2 P5 and P6 PROMs in my box but to find a PROM burner and the
POMs these days.....
 
>
> IMO the best was to save old DOS 3.2 disks is to convert them to 16 sector
> format.  By this I mean copy the data in sectors 0-12? to 0-12 of a DOS 3.3
> disk.  The rest of the sectors will be ignored.  FRom what I recall, you
> may use the COPYA program from the DOS 3.3 disk to do this with just a poke
> or two to skip 'bad sectors'.  That may not be correct, I'll look it up if
> you call me on it.
>
> Another option would of course be to bit copy them, reproducing any bit
> errors that me be accumulating on your disks.
>
> The 2nd best option is to boot 3.3 System Master and bload FID out of the
> way. Boot into dos 3.2, and init a slave disk.  Move FID back and run it.
> Use it to transfer files to the freshly formatted 3.2 disk.  Use a sector
> copier to copy sector 0 from a 16 sector disk.  (I think.)
>
> Of course for emulation you would almost have to use a nibble image unless
> you converted them to 16 sector format.
>
> Maybe someone who has done this in the last few years could assist.  Last
> time I did this was normalizing my 13 sector Castle Wolfenstein disk.  (It
> was all files so the OS was irrelevant to the program.)
>
> Hope this helps.
> Thankx,
> Ed
>
>
> Mark Cummings wrote:
>
>> 1. Has anyone got any ideas on how to keep backups (archives) of DOS 3.2
>> software, most disk archiving software I've dealt with only likes 16 sector
>> disks, not 13 sector.
>>
>> 2. I once had a DOS 3.2 system master, but no more, is there a way to make
>> one ?
>>
>> Mark

-- 
... She said it was either her or the Apple II computer. I'm still posting