Discussion:
Amstrad CPM floppy disc data extract
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a***@gmail.com
2020-07-02 03:30:22 UTC
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I used to have an Amstrad PC in the 80’s, and I bought it from Sears.

I still have 2 discs (CF-2) with some course work on them.

Does the possibility exist I may find a person with a machine that would be willing to extract that data from the discs for me ??
They can have the discs if that means anything.

Thank you,
Angelo
Larry Kraemer
2020-07-02 12:29:59 UTC
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Angelo,
If you have access to a DOS Computer you can make a copy of the floppy's with one of the following DOS Programs. Teledisk by SYDEX, or Imagedisk by Dave Dunfield.
Teledisk will copy the Floppy(s) to file(s) named .TD0. Imagedisk (IMD) will copy the Floppy(s) to file(s) named .IMD. (Use Ver 1.18 of Imagedisk)

Once you have the .TD0 or .IMD images, anyone with cpmtools (or cpmtools built with libdsk) can access the files on the Images. You can also use 22DISK by SYDEX on the DOS Computer to access those Files and copy them to a DOS Folder.

Lots of options once you have the .IMD or .TD0 Images.

The cpmtools and libdsk definitions I have available for AMSTRAD are:
BEGIN AMS0 Amstrad PCW 8256 - SSDD 48 tpi 3.50" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS1 Amstrad PCW 8256 - DSDD 96 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS2 Amstrad CPC464 - SSDD 48 tpi 5.25"/3" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS3 Amstrad CPC464 - SSDD 96 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS4 Amstrad PCW 8512 - SSDD 48 tpi 5.25"/3" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS5 Amstrad PCW 8512 - DSDD 48 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS6 Amstrad PCW 8512 - DSDD 96 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS7 Amstrad CPC 6128 - DSDD 48 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS8 Amstrad CPC 6128 - DSDD 96 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMS9 Amstrad CPC 6128 Side 1 - SSDD 3.5" / 3" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMSA Amstrad CPC 6128 Side 2 - SSDD 3.5" / 3" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMSB Amstrad PCW w/DU49, Moonstone XFORMAT - DSDD 3.5" - 512 x 10
BEGIN AMSC Amstrad CPC 6128 Vortex - DSDD 3.5"/96 tpi 5.25" - 512 x 9
BEGIN AMSD Amstrad PCW 9256, 9512 Disckit - DSDD 3.5" - 512 x 9

From that list you should know if your system used 3.5" or 5.25" Floppy(s).
Maybe the Model number will also jog your memory as to the exact model of your
computer.

cpmtools & libdsk tutorial at:
[url]http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=112244[/url]

Other options would be to:
1. Use a Kryoflux, Supercard Pro, Catweazle, Greaseweazle, or the Fluxengine to get a flux image of the Floppy(s).
2. Use an Amstrad Emulator to Access the Floppy(s) or Images of the Floppy(s).
3. Use 22DISK on a DOS Computer to access the Floppy(s)

Those floppy's are getting old enough that they may shed the oxide onto the Heads of the Floppy Drive. I've lost all my Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1 Floppy's
dut to this exact problem. Cleaning the heads of the floppy drive after trying
each floppy was required or the next floppy was ruined. And the process continued until I finally gave up and tossed the complete stash.

Let me know how you want to proceed.

Larry
Udo Munk
2020-07-02 16:24:54 UTC
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OP said CF-2 disks, this are 3" drives, not 3.5". Originally SD disks were used,
later also DD. Whatever, you first need someone with such a working drive
to read the disks.
p***@gmail.com
2020-07-03 00:51:08 UTC
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https://disktransfer.co.uk/floppy/amstrad-3-inch-floppy-disk-pcw-cpc-word-file-conversions.php
But it will cost you
j***@mdfs.net
2020-07-07 02:48:53 UTC
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Post by a***@gmail.com
Does the possibility exist I may find a person with a machine that would
be willing to extract that data from the discs for me ??
Where are you? I can extract data from 3" Amstrad disks. I'm in Sheffield.

jgh
Enrico Lazzerini
2020-08-11 17:58:06 UTC
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You need a MFM/FM FDC card.
I have it on a old Pentium II computer so i can use imagedisk and if i can't know the disk parameter table of a diskette , i can analize it with anadisk (from 22 disk) and insert the correct parameters to can read correctly and transfer file from/to diskette to/from dos os.

Enrico - Pisa - Italy

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