Re: transfering apple //e files

[phoenyx <quazar@dcnet2000.com>]

> I have a database that was written for an apple //e. Because the machine is
> pretty old and our company is upgrading computers, is there a way I can
> transfer these files to MS Access format? Your help is appreciated.

With a little effort this can be achieved. It will largely depend on the
size of the database. For a large database expect a lot of work. You
didn't mention what program was used on the Apple. This will be
required to offer more exact help.

One possibility, force the database to convert the file into a text
file with each entry corresponding to each record. There may be
several methods to do this, but one would be to print the file to
disk. As an alternative, you could write each individual field to a
text file and let Access count the fields and start a new record
when it has read enough fields.

Then you will need to transfer the converted file to the PC and
design a database table in Access which will read the file back
into the correct fields.

If the database is a large file created by the use of Appleworks and
extra RAM or by using that awesome program DB Master You will
need to convert it to smaller segments which can then be converted
and copied to the PC.

I'm over simplifying this a lot, and now that I've scared the living
daylights out of you, I'll tell you of another possibility. There used to
be a PC to Apple adapter cable which was able to convert Appleworks
files using the companies proprietary software. I don't know if you will
be able to find this, but I hope so. It would make your life much easier.

There is also the PC Transporter card which used older XT programs.
You could use this to transfer the files but the card won't be able to run
the newer software/OS required for Access so you would still need to
convert it.

Alternatively you might be able to connect the two computers with a
null modem adapter and print the file to the PC and a program which
can receive and store the records. If you can't find the PC software you
might be able to save the text transferred to the PC using the terminal
program's input buffer and then let Access convert the file.

Hope this gives you some ideas. As mentioned, more info is
needed to define an absolute solution to your problem.

Phoenyx