laplink help (Win95 -> WinXP file transfer)

[naw]

Hi, a pal of mine runs his garage on an ancient Win95 PC which is becoming increasingly unreliable. He has a new(er) WinXP PC and wants to transfer essential data and programs to the newer machine.

As a last resort, I could move the old Hard Disk to the new machine, but the disk is struggling to start up and this would be a last resort.

Both machines have serial and parallel ports, so, I am wondering if there is a version of laplink (or similar) SW that can operate on WinXP AND Win95 that I can use. Any advice gratefully received...

[PB]

How much data is there to transfer?

I'd probably zip the data and upload it somewhere, then download
it again on the newer PC. This assumes both PCs have internet
access, though.

If they don't, try burning a CD of the data instead.

Laplinking is the last resort, because it's a BITCH to set up with
Win 95. Well, it was the last time I tried! That's why I always
avoid transfers like that and use other methods when possible.

[PureLust]

Maybe a google-search could help (This comes up with some interesting links).


@PB: Do you really expect a Win95 machine, placed in a garage, to have a CD-Burner or an Internet-Connection?

[naw]

Hi Guys,

The old Win95 PC is very limited - neither PC has internet connection. The old Win95 has only a FD and HD - no CD / USB / Ethernet - the old Win95 PC is also used for registering MOT test results with the DVLA, so cannot legally be internet connected (has a dial up MODEM)

The problem isn't getting hold of a serial crossover cable - its finding SW that runs on both Win95 and WinXP that simply transfers data. Ideally, should be supplied on both CD and Floppy disk (since my PC & laptop doesnt have a FD), my Pals old box only has a 3.5" FD and new box only has a DVD reader. Software also needs to be small (like 1.44MB to fit on a 3.5" FD).

You see - options are quite limited, but his business relies on certain SW specific to his garage.

So far File Van and Link Maven seem to be the only options that support both Win95 and WinXP via parallel cable (simpler than messing around with serial connections) but I have no experience of either...

[PB]

> Do you really expect a Win95 machine, placed in a garage,
> to have a CD-Burner

So plug one in? Maybe from the XP machine? How hard is that?

Another solution is just to buy an IDE to USB converter, so that
you can literally plug the Win 95 hard drive into the Win XP box,
and it appears as an external storage device. Then just copy the
files off it. Something like this:

http://en.akihabaranews.com/20640/legac ... reen-house

[naw]

@PB: Do you really expect a Win95 machine, placed in a garage, to have a CD-Burner or an Internet-Connection?

Yes - I was disappointed that they didn't have an infiniBand connection to speed up the transfer of data from their 40MB Hard Disk

[PureLust]

If you're still looking for a Win95 and XP compatible software, you haven't looked at the Google results though.

[naw]

@PB - good suggestions re: moving the HD but I'm hoping to avoid opening the machine up - it really is very flaky. The machine won't even start up until it has been warmed for half an hour.

I only have experience of Laplink (maybe 15 years ago or so) never used File Van or File Maven, so was hoping to find someone who has used some of the other packages (current Laplink SW is quite pricey and the image is big - remember the old Win95 machine doesnt have a USB / CD and I dont know for sure if the FD is working)

[TerryHough]

The machine won't even start up until it has been warmed for half an hour.

Ahhh... reminds me of my previous years when I wrote and sold garage software and systems.

First, don't blame Win95. It will happily do its job for years with only HD defragmenting.

Usually, what you describe is caused by the interior of the system being fouled with accumulated dust and debris. Eventually the minor electrical shorts severely affect the motherboard and expansion cards, but especially the power supply reducing its efficiency.

Take the cabinet out into the shop and remove the cover. Use the shop's air supply with a nozzle limited to about 35psi, (Wear a dust mask, this stuff is awful.) blow all of the dirt and dust out thoroughly paying special attention to the power supply. I usually take the time to wiggle and reseat the IDE connections at the motherboard and hard drive. I also usually remove and reseat any memory and the expansion boards, but if you are hesitant to disturb them skip that step. Put the cover back on and reinstall the peripherals and reboot.

Odds are it will boot and work much better.

Now, you can also bet that the hard drive hasn't been defragmented ever! And, Win95 systems require that. I use the DEFRAG.exe from Win98SE since it is more effective (and faster) to whip the HD into shape on Win95 systems, so if you have access to a Win98SE system grab a copy of DEFRAG.exe from it.

The Floppy Drive has all the dust in it too. So after blowing it out you can use one of the FD cleaning kits to clean the heads. (Looks like a diskette with a felt disk. You use alcohol to saturate the felt, put it in the floppy and when the FD spins up and the heads close down on the felt they are cleaned. Should be available at the local computer shop.) That usually solves floppy reading problems.

I've found that this series of steps restores one of the garage systems to full operability about 95% of the time. Occasionally I've had to replace a power supply that just wasn't putting out proper voltages.

Good luck on getting the old system running smoothly.

[LuCiFeR[SD]]

make or buy a null modem cable and use hyperterminal. No special software required. Just compress the files with zip,rar etc. And be careful of using a workshop airline if you follow the advice from above as you can end up covering the motherboard in water, cause I have yet to meet a mechanic who bothers to drain the compressor after use

[naw]

Good advice guys and much appreciated - the HD was moved over from an even older machine, so I think this PC has really paid for itself many times over. I'm hoping that I can migrate the essentials over without having to crack the case open - can/will do that as a last resort only. The application they use is DOS based, I reckon I can get it working under XP but not so sure about printer support.

[Mistrel]

Unless the machine is weather proofed and the space heated, storing a computer in a garage isn't a good idea. Condensation and the extreme temperatures from the weather can put a lot of strain on the solder connections.

[naw]

Unless the machine is weather proofed and the space heated, storing a computer in a garage isn't a good idea. Condensation and the extreme temperatures from the weather can put a lot of strain on the solder connections.

Yes indeed, in fact, I discovered the HDD was moved over from an even older machine that pre-dated even Windows95. The Garage App is a DOS application that does exactly what they need it to do. No skinz, no concern over the user *experience* just dead simple and lightning quick...

[TerryHough]

The application they use is DOS based, I reckon I can get it working under XP but not so sure about printer support.

Printer support shouldn't be a problem.... except that DOS applications normally print to a parallel port (sometimes even only LPT1) and will not work successfully in most cases with Windows Only printers.

So make sure your target machine has a parallel port configured as LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3 to match the original machine, attach a compatible printer to that port and you are in business.

You can also "map" USB printers to the LPT? port using the "NET USE" command if the USB based printer is marked as "shared". Example: The USB printer is marked shared with a name of HL-5370. The command would be "NET USE LPT1 \\computername\HL-5370 /PERSISTENT:YES".

[naw]

Printer support shouldn't be a problem.... except that DOS applications normally print to a parallel port (sometimes even only LPT1) and will not work successfully in most cases with Windows Only printers. So make sure your target machine has a parallel port configured as LPT1, LPT2, or LPT3 to match the original machine, attach a compatible printer to that port and you are in business. You can also "map" USB printers to the LPT? port using the "NET USE" command if the USB based printer is marked as "shared". Example: The USB printer is marked shared with a name of HL-5370. The command would be "NET USE LPT1 \\computername\HL-5370 /PERSISTENT:YES".

Hey fantastic - thanks very much Terry