How do I get data from a floppy when my machines have no floppy drives?

[witch]

I need to use the data on a floppy and put it on the machines in my IT suite, but they have no floppy drives.

I know there are probably many ways using various programs, but I need something quick, simple and free!

thanks

[timzim]

Use a usb floppy drive.

 

Oh sorry, not exactly free but fairly cheap and you can use it again & again.

[LosOjos]

I really don't think it's possible to read a floppy without a floppy drive (and if it is, I have to see proof!)

 

Haven't you got an old PC lying around with a drive in it you can nick just to get the data off the floppy and on to the network or a memory stick?

[Jobos]

You need to find a machine that has a floppy and copy the data to a network share.

[witch]

I tried copying the files to the server but it doesnt work - it has an exe which then looks for the files in a folder on the floppy - I suspect that the program is still looking for something on the A drive even though the data is not on the A drive anymore.

Same thing with a network share. Unless I am doing something unbelievably stupid

 

It is a set of mimics for Flowol and on the floppy is a folder called 'mimics' and a setup.exe

[Domino]

Could try some virtual drive software from a network share? this works okay last time I needed to - Virtual Floppy Drive | Portable USB Pen Drive Applications

 

Not sure about how many people could access it at once.

[TechMonkey]

Check any ini or setup files for A:\ as a setting. If it is hardcoded you may be able to get a USB stick to pretend to be a floppy. Otherwise get a usb floppy drive or virtualise as suggested!

[witch]

can't get a usb floppy unless I pay for it myself.

I will try the virtualisation - i knew this was possible but there are lots of progs out there and I needed one that work

Edited April 19, 2010 by witch

[witch]

Right. I presume I need an image of the floppy and have made one using magic ISO.

BUT when I browse to it and select it I get error messages: what am I supposed to put in 'media type'?

*I'm sure I'm missing something really simple. Been a tough day

Edited April 19, 2010 by witch

[laserblazer]

Witch, if you PM me the mimics you need, I'll see if I have them.

[Ric_]

You can simply copy the Mimics off the floppy into one of the folders within the flowol Program Files folder.

[tech_guy]

Do you have a laptop with a floppy drive? That can be hitched up to the network? Or what about the server(s) - don't any of them have floppy drives?

[Cue]

Alternatively, mount the network share as A:?

[witch]

Tried copying the mimics directly but it didnt work - they couldnt be opened

Created an ISO at home from the floppy

Tried the virtual drive but again, even calling it 'A' didnt work either - the setup.exe still couldnt find the mimics.

Will try and find something with a floppy!!

[CESIL]

Have you tried contacting the authors of Flowol?

 

I am sure that they could email you the files as they have been very helpful to me in the past...

[Ric_]

Just checked my startup script and it simply uses xcopy to copy the files to "C:\Program Files\Keep I.T. Easy\Flowol 2\Mimics".

 

The files being copied have no extension (all start with Log) and then there's three folders (beginning with LF) which contain BMP files.

[witch]

Must admit, I havent as I went on the website and saw the cost of the new discs with mimics on so presumed that they wouldnt just give them to me! Will do that now

[Jobos]

@Witch: Did you get this sorted as I've found Flowol 2 setup files on an old machine?

[witch]

I borrowed a USB floppy in the end...I couldnt get the mimics to work if I just copied them, Ric_, I can't imagine why.

But thanks for all your help