Have a file that can still be read in current-day software ( LibreOffice, for instance, can be useful with some older formats).
Convert the files to a currently accessible format (try searching for "convert ").
A number of tools and packages for accessing disk images from different operating systems described in this article.īeyond just getting the files, in order to open them there a few different routes:.
The tools described under "Image File Compatibility" at this link.
There are also tools for mounting and extracting files such as: You may be able to mount your files in your normal operating system using the steps outlined here. However, some files you may be able to mount and extract some files without an emulator. See the "Using disk images" and "Finding old software" sections of this article for more information. You may need an emulator to access the files depending on the original operating system. If you created a disk image, you will have to take a few more steps to actually access the files. You can then return the drive and the usb stick into its box.
If you are done, unplug the drive from the wall outlet and then the usb from your computer.
If you have another disk, insert it and start again at step 4.
When finished, flip the latch up and remove the disk.
If successful you will see an image like the one below. A few track errors can be normal with old media and can still produce a working image. Try a different format and restart the process.
If there are many errors (on almost every track), you may have selected the wrong format.
Click the "Capture Disk Image File" button.
Select a name to call you disk under "Output Image Filename." Keep the extension the same as that will generally be correct for the type of disk you selected.
Select a path where you want the image of the disk to be saved under "Output Image Directory", such as C:\Users\joe\Documents.
You can repeat this process for the other files.
If saved, the top of the window will read "Copied file" as seen above.
A screen will pop up asking where you want to save the file and what to name it.
You can select the file you want to copy and select "Copy File".
If this does work, you may be able to copy individual files over instead of making a disk image.
If this doesn't work or would prefer a disk image, proceed to step 10. However this may still not work even if an MS-DOS based disk.
If it is an MS-DOS based disk, you can click the 'Browse Disk Contents" button to look at a file listing on the disk.
MS-DOS 360k or 1200k is good to try for most IBM style machines of the time period.
Under "Disk Type," select the type of system in which the files on the disk was saved at time of creation (or your best guess).
Under the "Source Drive" heading, it should read "FC5025 Floppy Controller.".
#IBM EXTERNAL USB FLOPPY DISK DRIVE DRIVER WINDOWS#
Find and open the program you installed earlier, it will be called "Disk imaging and Recovery" on Windows or "MacDIB" on a Mac.
Swing the drive latch down so it is now in a vertical position.
When the disk is in place you will hear a click.
Take your disk and insert it into the drive label side up with the end with the oval hole going in first.
It is important to do this after plugging in the USB cord.
Plug the plug into a standard wall outlet.
Plug in the USB cord into your computer.
Once you have installed the software on your computer, you can now set up the drive.
When finished, remove the USB stick from your computer and return it to the box.
#IBM EXTERNAL USB FLOPPY DISK DRIVE DRIVER WINDOWS 10#
Follow the guidance on pages 4-6 for installing the software on your specific operating system, those using Windows 10 should follow the Windows 8 instructions.
Open the contents of the stick and navigate to the User's guide in the "Manual" folder.
Remove the USB stick from the box and plug it into your computer.
There is a USB stick in the kit which contains the software needed. The 5.25" drive requires some additional software in order for it to run on your computer. Most often you will be creating a " disk image" of your disk which you can then mount or extract the files from (see Accessing your image files section). You will need to know the computer type/operating system which the information was saved to the disk and select the appropriate option in the software. Your 5.25" floppy disk like the one pictured above can be accessed through the USB external drive.