Re: Zip drives...

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

mkelsey@spam.eecs.wsu.edu wrote:

>In essence, I would write a transfer utility (not too overwhelming ;) 
>that would read on the block-level of the Zip drive, thereby allowing
>the Apple II to access an MS-DOS volume.  I am wondering at the success
>rate anybody has had with this and if it would be more cost effective
>to investigate a unified SCSI bus.  
>
>Yes, I wouldn't allow the RAMFast to touch any of the MS-DOS drives
>except for the 32MB volume intended for transfer.  The Adaptec 2940U
>allows me to assign the bootable SCSI ID and anything non-MS-DOS would
>simply be ignored.

The Zip drive method seems more solid.  The trick is not to use
MS-DOS, but instead use...HFS.  On the PC, you need to install a
program called MacDrive 98.  This program allows Windows 95 to
read, write, and format HFS volumes.  On the IIe, you need a freeware
program called A2fx.  A2fx will read any HFS volume, even CD-ROMs.

With HFS as a link, you will be able to move files from your PC onto
Mac/HFS formatted Zip disks (no need to make 32MB partition) to
your IIe via A2fx.  The reverse transfer needs another program, but
I am pretty sure that one exists to let the PC read ProDOS volumes.