Creating .dsk disk images

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Sauer writes ...
> 
> Just exactly how do you create a disk image?  I have quite a few old Apple
> programs, but I have no clue on how to make images.  Do you use CrossTalk?
> Is there a special program...  Someone asked me to make an image of the
> Koala software, I'd love to but how?
> 


     There are two basic approaches to creating standard 5.25" .dsk disk image
files.

1. If you have a 3.5" drive, hard disk, Zip Drive, etc. connected to your Apple
II, you can use DSK2FILE to convert one side of a 5.25" diskette into a 140k
.dsk file. For example, you could convert your Supergame diskette into a file
named "Supergame.dsk". Supergame.dsk is a ProDOS file.

If you have a IIgs with a 3.5" drive, etc., you can use DSK2FILE or the GS-only
program ASIMOV to create disk images.

The reason you need at least a 3.5" drive is that a standard 5.25" ProDOS
diskette does not have space to hold a 140k file. There are ways around this
limitation-- using a special 36-track ProDOS and writing to a 36-track diskette
is one. Another is to use an image maker which splits the image and saves it on
two 5.25" diskettes. Both ways seem like more bother than they are worth.


2. Practically any Apple II can create standard 5.25" .dsk disk image files
using ADT. The Apple II reads the diskette and transmits the contents over a
NULL modem connection to a PC running the PC half of ADT. The .dsk disk image
file is created on the PC.

For info about ADT, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2T1TCOM.html#003 .
For more about disk images see
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2FLUTILS.html#006 . 


     Not every 5.25" diskette can be converted directly to .dsk disk image
form. If a disk is copy protected or if it uses 36 tracks it probably can not
be converted. The usual way around copy protection is to produce a deprotected
diskette (using info from Computist or a similar source) and convert the
deprotected copy to .dsk form. Converting a 36-track disk requires finding a
way to get the contents onto a 35-track diskette.



> I know this has been asked a hundred times before.  My Apple computers are
> so remote from my PC.  If I rig a telephone line to the Apple, could I do
> it that way?  I think it has a modem, I think I remember downloading stuff
> from the old BBS, (AOL).
> 
 ....

     Whether or not you use the ADT approach, you need to get the .dsk file to
your PC. I have heard of users using their phone lines to join two modems in
the same house or using a phone cable to join two modems. There is some
discussion of this at http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2T1TCOM.html#023 .

     The usual way to join an Apple II and PC for local transfers is NULL
modem. If your computers are closer than 50 feet, you can use a long modem
cable. It may be a lot less bother to move your Apple II or get a second Apple
II-- like a IIc+ or IIgs just for doing transfers. NULL modem is pretty easy to
set up and very handy when you want to transfer stuff you download from the net
to your Apple II.

(See http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2T1TCOM.html#004 .)



Rubywand