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Converting files to newer version

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20 replies

by agservices

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I have a computer with Win95 and MS Works 2.0, when I try to save files to a diskette and then try to open them on a newer computer with Win98 and a newer version of MS Works, the diskette does not show that any files are saved to it. I have tried converting the works files to word and then save them but have same results. How can I get these files transfered to the newer computer?

20 replies

by hinrgman

When you try to open the files on the floppy do you click on file types and click on all files (*.*). If you did not try that. You should see them after doing that.

by gigelul

No matter the version of files saved on diskette. You must see these files from diskette on other computer. If you don't see these files you have other problem. Maybe a bad diskette or some incompatibility between floppy drives.

by gigelul

When you format an diskette you must have these options:
-capacity: 3.5", 1.44Mb, 512 bytes/sector
-file system: FAT

by gigelul

For Lizzy only,
It is true that I don't speak very well English, but I have a question for you, maybe I learn something new.
How I can format an diskette with NTFS file system on an NT machine which also use NTFS file system on HDD?
I want to seeif this diskette can't be used on an Win 98 (FAT32) machine.
Note: here we discuss about diskettes not HDD!

by shanghai sam

My opinion is that no matter what OS you use when formatting a diskette. Also no matter from which OS copy a file on diskette. On other OS you will be able to read/copy this files from diskette.

by richtremblay

Instead of trying to open the file directly in Works, try double-clicking on My Computer then on the A drive to ensure that files indeed exist on the disk...that will show if the disk drive is functioning or not. If there are files I have to agree with answer 1...

by agservices

I have tried going to My Computer and when I double click the floppy drive, it shows the diskette to be empty. No bytes used. I have tried this on a Win98, Win2000, and WinXP computer and same thing. I put it back in the old Win95 computer and goto My Computer and it shows the files are there. One thing I did notice is that when I format a diskette in any of the newer computers and then try to save files to it on the old computer, it says the diskette needs formating. Would they format diskettes different? If so, could this be the problem and what do I do?

by wingtech

G'day
A quick thought, possibly the floppy drive in the Win95 machine has a head mis-alignment. Try a different drive in the 95 rig.
Best of luck

by lizzy

Diskette formatting is done by the OS and it is backwards compatible, meaning that a 95 disk should be able to be read by 98, NT, 2000, etc. However, a diskette formatted in 98 cannot be read by a 95, one formatted in NT cannot be read by 95 or 98, one formatted in 2000 cannot be read by NT4.0, etc. Therefore, you should probably try a different drive in the 95 PC as in the previous answer. Also try different diskettes including others by a different manufacturer as a whole box could have bad formatting. Please let us know how this turned out for you! Good luck.

by lizzy

Perhaps Florinel doesn't speak english too well or I was not being clear, but what I said is the same thing as his third comment. If the disks are bad, you may be able to read them in one drive, but not others. Florinel is correct in the type of diskette you should be using (1.44MB, etc.) as these are the current standards. FAT can be read by both 9x and NT OS's. FAT 32 cannot be read by NT PC's. NTFS cannot be read by 9x PC's. I apologize for not being more clear on this. It really sounds likea problem with your diskette(s) or the A:\ drive on the 95 PC...

by lizzy

Have you tried copying the contents of the files on the 9x PC to notepad or wordpad and thus making them text files and -then- opening them on the new PC's from the new software program? This could be a real pain if you have hundreds or thousands offiles...

by lizzy

Florinel, I don't know that you can format a diskette w\ NTFS, but file format is what determines what OS can read the diskette--I just listed what can read what and what can't read what. I forget that I should be more specific in my answers... Sorry about that!

by agservices

I would like to thank you all for commenting. Answer #4 had it right. The floppy must have had a misaligned head. I replace with another floppy and it worked great. Thanks again.

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