Apple disk -> MSDOS

From: Mark <mark_k_at_totalise.co.uk>
Date: Mon Jan 14 14:55:29 2002

Hi,

On Tue, 8 Jan 2002 Fred Cisin wrote:
> Apple Turnover, and it's even theoretically possible to do it with the
> CopyII Option board (if you are willing to write a program comparable to
> the Apple OS file system. Same with Catweasel - theoretical possibility,
> but significant software needed but not available.

See http://www.ece.nwu.edu/~cbachman/apple.html

Using a Copy II Option Board (or Deluxe Option Board) and its supplied
software you can create an image file of Apple II disks. Then use the program
on that page convert to a plain disk image.

[About the Option Board (earlier non-ASIC model): I'll volunteer to trace the
PCB of one of these as part of an effort to figure out exactly how it works.
But I only have Deluxe Option Board here at the moment, which uses an ASIC.]

There are free programs (source available) for extracting files from and
otherwise manipulating Apple disk images; one is AFID.


> If you have an Amiga, and are willing to buy or write significant
> software, it can (in theory) do both Apple and PC.

Free software already exists on the Amiga for reading Apple disks, and
transparently reading and writing MS-DOS disks.

For reading Apple disks, use the disk2file program included in this archive
(which also includes an Amiga executable of the AFID program):
    http://us.aminet.net/pub/aminet/misc/emu/Apple2000v13.readme
    http://us.aminet.net/pub/aminet/misc/emu/Apple2000v13.lha

Versions 2.04 and later of the Amiga OS come with CrossDOS, which allows PC
(and Atari ST) floppies to be accessed transparently. A comparable package
which comes with source code is MSH:
    http://us.aminet.net/pub/aminet/misc/emu/msh_156.readme
    http://us.aminet.net/pub/aminet/misc/emu/msh_156.lha


> > I have a CompatiCard I and Uniform, and I still have
>
> Those will be nice for doing MFM diskettes. No help at all for GCR
> (Apple and Commodore).

An Amiga with 5.25" drive can also read Commodore 1541-type disks. One free
package (which from memory includes source code) requires that the disk motor
be slowed down slightly, from 300rpm to about 280 (easy enough on Commodore
A1020 5.25" drives, and non-Commodore disks are still readable at that speed).
    http://us.aminet.net/pub/aminet/misc/emu/1541.readme
    http://us.aminet.net/pub/aminet/misc/emu/1541.lha


All in all, an old Amiga 500 or whatever costing about US$10 can be a good
investment if you need to read "strange" disk formats. An Amiga 5.25" drive
should cost about the same or a little more.


-- Mark
Received on Mon Jan 14 2002 - 14:55:29 GMT

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