IgnaceLamine
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How to read old HP86 floppy on Windows XP ?
I have this old legacy floppy from HP86 machine. I think it has LIF file formatting. I need to read this under Windows XP. When I am in Windows 98 there is no problem. I can use the tool HPCOPY or LIFUTIL to access the floppy. In Windows XP this is not possible probably because Windows XP (like also WinNT and Win2000) does not allow direct hardware access. The LIF file format can only be accessed through low level hardware routines which Windows XP apparently does not allow. How can I do it in WinXP? Dual boot is not an option. IT department here for some reason will no longer allow dual boot setups. I tried both Virtual PC and VMWare workstation with a FREEDos OS but still floppy is still not readable. I am not sure if Virtual PC or VMWare can bypass WinXP direct access protection by virtualizing it with a driver or Maybe FreeDos is just unable. I also tried Direct I/O without success. This is some tool to provice direct hardware support but I think it only works with things like serial and parallel ports. Haven't found a way to bypass the floppy using Direct I/O. Any other suggestions, solutions?
ASKER
On our PCs we are not allowed to make boot order changes. BIOS is locked.
ASKER
I have to add that the reading of the floppy is not something that has to be done once. We have to get data from HP86 machine to WinXP machine periodically. Now we do it on a Win98 machine, but that machine has to be removed some day. We need to find a way to make it happen on Windows XP.
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ASKER
Sorry guys, another OS is not an option for me.
Solution for XP = solution accepted.
Solution for XP = solution accepted.
Try running knoppix within a VMware session and accessing it that way.
How is the HP86 drive connected to the host?
How is the HP86 drive connected to the host?
ASKER
HP86 drive is completely separate. We use HPCOPY tool to copy some files from Win98 machine to floppy, then we take floppy to the HP86 machine at the production site.
DOS in a VMWare should work also work if knoppix works. Remember I have to read and write files to that disk and that I tuse the program HPCOPY to do that. HPCOPY in a pure DOS environment can access the floppy.
DOS in a VMWare should work also work if knoppix works. Remember I have to read and write files to that disk and that I tuse the program HPCOPY to do that. HPCOPY in a pure DOS environment can access the floppy.
Have you tried compatibility mode under windows?
ASKER
Yes, I tried compatibility mode. The program HPCOPY can run under WinXP. It's just when I press the key to read the floppy that it fails.
I'm stuck I'm afraid. Without another PC or some way to get into Win98 on your PC I don't know where else to go. I will think about it anyway though.
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ASKER
I think it supports booting from some network location.
ASKER
Actually, I am more waiting for someone who knows some dirty hack using some tool to do it in XP.
Finding a way to boot to Linux is not what I had in mind for this topic.
Finding a way to boot to Linux is not what I had in mind for this topic.
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