How to recover files from an ATARI 8Bit formatted disk

[gorf68]

Hello everybody! I’m new here and this is my first post!

 

 

Can anybody tell me if there is a way to recover files from an ATARI 8Bit formatted disk, short of getting a new machine and disk drive?

 

I ask because I’ve recently found some of my old ATARI 8Bit disks that could hold some of my PD games programs. I thought were lost forever years ago.

 

Any way of getting them back is worth a try.

 

I've found software that is supposed to make in image file out of an Atari formatted floppy. I tried this with a 5.25" drive that I had lying around, but it didn’t work

I think it might be because it's a relatively 'new' 5.25" floppy drive, anybody know if this would work with an older drive?

 

I also have an old 40/80 switch type CUMANA drive (attached to a BBC); is there any way I can connect this up to my PC so I can try and use this to retrieve the Arari disk image.

 

Or am I going about this all-wrong?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[Rybags]

It's easiest to just use an Atari drive to read the disks. I've tried PC floppy drives with very limited success... they work best on Atari Double Density disks (256 bytes/sector, 18 sectors per track).

 

If you're after your old PD games, chances they are somewhere on the 'net. Atarimania.com is a good place to start looking.

[gorf68]

Thanks I'll give that a try.

The thing is there may be a lot of stuff that was not finished or never sent to anythere on these disks.

Still I suppose I might find some of my stuff on the net.

 

It would just be interesting to find out what (if anything) in on these as this was from around the time I was first getting to grips with programming. the Atari 800XL was the first computer I really did any programming on after the VIC-20, my first computer. I had a Spectrum as well at the time but did little to no programming on this; the keyboard really put me off!

[classics]

How many disks do you have to archive?

 

If you want to do it yourself you are going to need at least a 1050 and 1050-2-PC/ProSystem type interface to make the images.

 

If its just a few disks and you don't mind sending them away I would be happy to archive them for you.

 

Steve

[gorf68]

Thanks for the offer, unfortunetly I'm in Scotland!!!

So they may not survive being posted to Cleveland

 

 

It would only be a hand full of disks and I don't know how much would still be readable! Hopefully I'll find a compleat version of my JetPack and Tempest clones.

 

I've been thinking about getting an Atari 8Bit and Disk Drive again anyway.

I would still lke to get them archived though...

 

 

I've had a quick look to see if I could see any of my old programs on the net, a long shot at best! But I couldn't see any

(Although if memory server right my Tempest clone was better than the 'Livewire' one that I've downloaded )

[ijor]

Reading 8-bit disks in a PC drive is problematic, at best.

 

The two most important factors are:

Are they single density or not ?

Are they flippies or not? (written in the back side).

 

You won't be able to read the flippy side on a "newer" (1.2Mb) drive. Otherwise, it is feasible, but still complicated. It should be much easier to find somebody with an Atari drive nearby.

[gorf68]

Thanks for the replys...

 

Yes they are single density and most of the disks are written to on both sides!

 

 

Thanks to deathtrappomegranate who has offered to make immages of these disks for me

[Rybags]

Better solution - buy or build an APE interface.

 

Under $5 in parts and a few spare hours labour.

[lord_mike]

If its just a few disks and you don't mind sending them away I would be happy to archive them for you.

 

Steve

 

Hi Steve!

 

I was reading this thread with the exact same issue in mind (my 1050 died over a decade ago... would stick a disk in the drive, it would light up and spin forever...).

 

I was wondering if you'd be willing to help a fellow Clevelander out with the same offer--archiving some of my old BASIC program disks. I only have about 3-4 of them. One is DOS 3, one DOS 2, one DOS 2.5, and the fourth I don't know... I have the DOS system disks if necessary.

 

Anyways, I hope you read this, and let me know... maybe I can buy lunch or something!

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

[lord_mike]

Reading 8-bit disks in a PC drive is problematic, at best.

 

Is it easier if you have a 360K drive? I do happen to have one lying around (good thing I never throw anything out! ) I have been interested in trying it, but have been worried that it might ruin the disk somehow.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

[classics]

Thank Mike, YHPM.

 

Steve

[ijor]

Is it easier if you have a 360K drive? I do happen to have one lying around (good thing I never throw anything out! ) I have been interested in trying it, but have been worried that it might ruin the disk somehow.

 

It is easier, or perhaps should I say, less complicated. At least you have more chances of accessing the flippy side and better software support.

 

It is still problematic. If your disks are not in single density and you can run a non Windows NT based OS (Linux, plain DOS, or at least Win 9X), then it might be worth a try. Otherwise, while still possible, it might be better to seek an alternate solution.

 

Trying should not harm your disks. Make sure you write protect them just in case. And if you are uncertain about your drive condition, then try it with some expendable disk before.