Can CDs emulate 3.5' disk behavior?

Question

Just bought a new XPS 210 which, of course, does not have a 3.5' floppy drive. While awaiting delivery of my software transfer package for moving desired folders from my old unit (Dimension 8400) to the XPS, I have been doing so rather laboriously using CDs. One of my ancient programs, however, is available to me only in the form of four 3.5' disks. I thought that, if I copied each disk onto a separate CD and then inserted them in the XPS, that the CD D:\ drive would be able to perform the program installation. Such was not the case. I got the following error message soon after inserting the first CD: Tried to create an invalid path using 'D:\' and 'ccwin.ex_' Is there any way to modify the content of the CD(s) such that the D:\ drive is able to recognize the executable installation file? Thanks!

C-War · Answer

What are you trying to bring over from those disks? The type of program may well dictate if it's possible or not.

europa303 · Answer

You can buy an external USB floppy disk drive from many vendors if needed. Here's a bunch from newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=external+floppy+drive&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all

nautico · Answer

It's a very old version of Calendar Creator Plus. I have no real need for an external floppy drive, since I'm quite sure that, once I get my software transfer package, I'll be able to send this program directly from my old computer to the new, using a null USB cable. I was just trying to figure out why, if 3.5' floppies are copied to CDs, the program won't install from the CD drive of the new computer. Message Edited by nautico on 10-23-2006 06:43 AM

tgsmith · Answer

Nautico, The answer to your initial question is yes.  If you copied each of your floppy disks to a CD, do the following:   Insert the first CD (i.e., copy of floppy disk 1) in your CD drive.   Click on Start|Run.  Type command.  Press Enter.  This will put you at a DOS command prompt.   Type subst b:  d:\  where d:\ is the root directory of your CD-ROM.  Note: The '\' after the CD-ROM drive letter is required.   You can now log onto the virtual B: drive and install your program from your virtual floppy.  The virtual B: drive will also be visible from your Windows Explorer.   When you no longer need the virtual B: drive you simply restart your computer or type subst b: /d at the DOS command prompt to delete the virtual B: drive.   Note for others reading this post.  You cannot create a virtual drive A: or B: on a system that has physical floppy disks A: and B:.   Also note:  Your program may require that you type the source and/or destination drive letters and/or subdirectory.  For example, From the B:\ virtual drive prompt, you may have to type:   INSTALL  C:\CCREATOR   Since you are at a DOS prompt, you may be limited to 8 characters in the destination subdirectory's name.   You may even be able to type this command from the existing physical drive letter of the CD as it appears your program is currently trying to extract the program to the D:\ drive.   Tony Message Edited by tgsmith on 10-23-2006 11:26 AM

dg1261 · Answer

Tony, given the error msg in nautico's first post, I'm not sure your method will suffice.  It looks like the installation routine is expecting to write (temp files?) on the installation source.   Nautico, have you tried just copying the contents of the four floppies to a temp directory on the hard drive and running the install from there instead of from CD?  Many programs are not locked to their installation media unless they're copy-protected.   If that doesn't work, you might try a virtual floppy drive ( http://chitchat.at.infoseek.co.jp/vmware/vfd.html).  This is a Win32 driver that sets up a fictitous floppy drive in ram which the system thinks is drive A: (or B:, or whatever).  Drag the files from floppy-1 into the virtual A: and start the install.  Delete and drag new contents to 'swap' floppies.     Dan

tgsmith · Answer

Dg1261, Noticed that.  That's why I suggested his installation may require the source and/or destination directory be specified.  If I recall, CCPlus had such a requirement even when installing from a subdirectory on the hard drive.  Also am familiar with virtual floppy drive in RAM, but since he had already created CD copies of his floppies, the virtual B: drive using subst command seemed the quickest way to get his software installed. Tony

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