Q: Any help would be a great help!
i have a friend that is a doctor and he has a lot of the old, old, old files in a DOS program called Professional dBASE file. All these files are on an old PII system win98, and he has recently upgraded to XP machines from Dell. he asked me if I knew any Windows-based programs like dBASE he could import / export of the dos files. I immediately thought of Access, but he says he does not like it b / c of some restrictions on the characters (he long notes)
but anyways, with all its sensitive information on the old Win98 machine, there would be a way to simply create an exact copy of whats on the win98 pc (data integrity is very important) and save it to another machine to install Win98 in a dual boot XP on the new machine, then the new image to copy the win98 install? That does not sound very practical, but I am really lost in imaging hard drives. if there is an easier or more secure way to do that you can respond -, and please, please lmk if it is not even possible so I can explore another option. thanx guys.
again would help a great help!
-tb
Re:Oh, another thing. For help/hints in running old programs with W2K/XP, you might try www.ntcompatible.com. I've also seen some indepth helps on abandonware sites, and links from their sites. These are guys that are working to get old DOS games to run and have correct sound in W2K/XP.
–Randy
Re:tb,
I use W2K, but I believe XP works the same way. As I recall, when I upgraded from W98SE, I was given a choice of upgrade or new install (or dual boot…can't remember the exact wording). I chose upgrade. W2K looked my system over rather thoroughly, and told me of a couple programs and a modem that it felt it might not work with. Norton System Works was one….which I knew about already. In my case, it was exactly correct. Everything else ran like it always had. All my settings, desktop, preferences, applications remained as they were in W98SE.
Oh…..it mucked a bit with my dialup server settings…..but, come to think of it, I think that was because I kept Norton Antivirus on, inspite of the fact that it warned me not to. No biggie. Easy enough to fix. I haven't clean installed since '96, when I installed W95a, then hacked to W95b, then W98SE, then W2K. My system has remained virtually the same, except way more stability in W2K. No way I'd go back to W9x. Oh….and, I've also been through 3 mobos, Intel and VIA chipsets, numerous upgraded hard drives, vid cards, cpus. All with just cloned images.
So….that's my story for the boyz that say you gotta go fresh every 6 months. Poo. There is no way I could fresh install. I couldn't even find the majority of my original installation floppies/cds.
One thing I have found. It is a lot easier if I shut off Norton Antivirus before I image my drive(s). If I forget to, and move to a different mobo or hard drive, NAV suspects virus activity, and I've gotta go through alot of warning screens.
I use Drive Image by PowerQuest, and I only have FAT32….no NTFS partitions. Corky pimps Drive Copy by PowerQuest, and he is usually correct in his pimpology.<GRIN> And….others swear by Ghost.
can anyone tell me whether or not after performing the ghost/image on a harddrive did you computer look EXACTLY like it did when you stored the image. I am talking about the desktop, device manager, installed programs, internet settings, downloaded programs, drive space, etc.???????
For me, yes, with the above caveats. And, there is an Anandtech FAQ, by modus, that explains several ways to make a smooth move to a different mobo with an imaged drive. A bit too conservative, IME, but very nicely written. You might give the "trick W2K/XP" into automagically deleting and finding the correct hardware, using the "boot to cd" method he mentions toward the end of the article.
Modus FAQ (http://www.{$MySite}/guides/viewfaq.html?i=113)
Lastly, with Drive Image, and probably the others, you don't even have to install the program, but can just boot to the floppies (or cd, I think).
Let us know how it goes for you.
–Randy
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Hmmm…..I wonder if there is a slight possibility that this program would run in XP, especially with the DOS compatibility options? Yes, I know it might be a long shot….but, as I recall, when I upgraded W98SE to W2K, W2K told me what programs "might" not work.
If this was mine……I'd just have to give it a try. My Dad has been amazed at some old programs that would actually run in W2K….but, never could get full functionality from M$ft Bob. If you don't know what that is, you don't wanna know.
So, what I would do is (just cause I'd wanna see what would happen):
1. Image his old drive to a new drive. AND KEEP THE OLD ONE, cuz you're probably going to have to go back to it.
2. Pop the new drive into his new pc, and boot to safe mode, delete the proper registry key (can't remember what it is) to force W98 to get rid of all his old hardware references.
3. Do a full shutdown. Restart.
4. Be ready with W98 cd (or have copied it to the hard drive, so you can point to it) and any newer drivers it might want when it finds the new hardware (or have internet access handy, to dl drivers).
5. Then, have him play with it, to see if things pretty much work.
6. Then, upgrade to XP…..not selecting dual boot.
7. Then see what happens and what works…..or sort of works.<G>
Worst case, you've done all this and you're back to square one, having to wipe the new hard drive, reimage, and setup a dual boot.
Hey, you were never told life was easy, but it's at least supposed to be interesting.
Yes, corky…..I really would try this. I've done weirder things with my pc equipment. Remember…..I actually imaged my desktop to my laptop in W98SE?
–Randy
Randy the upgrade idea doesn't sound all that bad at all… i wonder if winxp setup wipes the drive clean before rewriting over 9x/Me systems. Sounds risky somewhat but definitely interesting b/c depending on whether xp will completely wipe any 9x/Me existance? when you upgrade you normally get to keep your existiing configurations/settings for the most part which is what this guy needs denitely. which brings me to this update…
after playing around with this thing some more i was able to get the Professional File to work just fine on the Xp machine. we were getting a bunch of screen corruption and fliickering which made the screen unreadable. after a bunch of trial and error basically i found that he would be able to run the program in a windowed mode without graphic problems no matter how large i made the window. but the Professiaonal File prgram is only half the battle. i still have to get the Professional Write (word processor) but won't have it until tomorrow.
i am hoping for the same serendipitous outcome here, but won't hold my breath. in the meantime i am still faced this the data transfer issue and had a question or two. can anyone tell me whether or not after performing the ghost/image on a harddrive did you computer look EXACTLY like it did when you stored the image. I am talking about the desktop, device manager, installed programs, internet settings, downloaded programs, drive space, etc.???????
also, if i understand the ghost / imaging correctly…
> install program
> run program creating an image of entire harddrive
> format and
> partition another harddrive
> reboot with created floppy to add image to harddrive?
…and thats it? i know i gotta be missing something – Xp issues, drive letters, something? It will, of course, be nice if it this easy. one last thing, if i wanted to add another partition to my harddrive, can't i do this without a reformat in Xp Pro/Home (NTFS)? thanx guys.
tb
Re:Hmmm…..I wonder if there is a slight possibility that this program would run in XP, especially with the DOS compatibility options? Yes, I know it might be a long shot….but, as I recall, when I upgraded W98SE to W2K, W2K told me what programs "might" not work.
If this was mine……I'd just have to give it a try. My Dad has been amazed at some old programs that would actually run in W2K….but, never could get full functionality from M$ft Bob. If you don't know what that is, you don't wanna know.
So, what I would do is (just cause I'd wanna see what would happen):
1. Image his old drive to a new drive. AND KEEP THE OLD ONE, cuz you're probably going to have to go back to it.
2. Pop the new drive into his new pc, and boot to safe mode, delete the proper registry key (can't remember what it is) to force W98 to get rid of all his old hardware references.
3. Do a full shutdown. Restart.
4. Be ready with W98 cd (or have copied it to the hard drive, so you can point to it) and any newer drivers it might want when it finds the new hardware (or have internet access handy, to dl drivers).
5. Then, have him play with it, to see if things pretty much work.
6. Then, upgrade to XP…..not selecting dual boot.
7. Then see what happens and what works…..or sort of works.<G>
Worst case, you've done all this and you're back to square one, having to wipe the new hard drive, reimage, and setup a dual boot.
Hey, you were never told life was easy, but it's at least supposed to be interesting.
Yes, corky…..I really would try this. I've done weirder things with my pc equipment. Remember…..I actually imaged my desktop to my laptop in W98SE?
–Randy
Re:thanx guys, it goes to show what a little post can do – now i am confused with too many options :confused:. really tho thanx for the replies as i can now start zoning in on what would be best. for this guy i think he wants to keep things as familiar as possible that's why i am leaning towards just trying to copy his system now – put it on the new machine as a dual boot – then gradually transfer the dos dbase files to a windows database program.
i got a demo of ghost and am going to check on driveimage 2k2 and drivecopy. since a lot of the more sensitive files are in the old, old dos Professional File and Write, which ever one will let me do this the easiest would be the way for me to go i guess.
thanx some more you guys for giving a damn – this was very important for me. if i get stuck – I'LL BE BACK!!
Re:The cheapest, simplest, and most effective way to do this chore is with PowerQuests's DriveCopy 4.0., Yes – you can use Norton Ghost or PQ's DriveImage 2002 – but they cost twice as much to do the same job. If you already have either of them – then the question is moot – right?
Re:Originally posted by: guy
you could even do this with a cheap CD burner.Best option, from a data integrity/price standpoint
Re:Take NO risk doing this. I would guess that as a Doctor he has a little money.
What I would do in a case like this is purchase a ZIP drive and install it in the old machine, copy all of his files to a disk or several disks.
Remove the ZIP drive and install it in the new machine and copy everything to a folder on the new machine. No risk involved at a small price. Or you could even do this with a cheap CD burner.
guy
Re:woops… thanx for the linkage and your help guy!! i sent you an email. i guess i will try this with the trial version if possible – got 15 different Norton utilities and crap running all the time – of course this one isn't included :frown:.
thanx a bunch. if i can't do this with the trial iwlyk and maybe we can work something out. ttyl.
Re:I don't think it's on Works just on Utilities or as a Stand Alone Proggie (http://enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/products/products.cfm?ProductID=3)
Re:i have Norton System Works but don't see anything about ghosting anywhere… is that the online storage thingy? please forgive my ignorance, and thanx a bunch for hanging with me on this.
Re:The least expensive route would be to find Norton Utilties 2002 which includes other goodies and can be had for around $10…Go to the hot deals Forum ….
Re:i gotcha… so where can i get the ghost program or whatever does this?
Re:you mean install xp on the old machine?
NO…see if you can grab his new machines HD then Ghost his old machines HD…Then try to install the new HD in his new machine after which (if it'll work) he can add XP. That way if not he will still have all his orginal data.
Re:you mean install xp on the old machine? he really wants to be able to use his new dell xp machine if possible. the older machine is pretty old. oh yeah, he is not networked at all either as its just a small practice with like one two people working for him. if you could explain a little more that would help me – again i am clueless using any ghost/drive copy program except system restore :confused:.
the new machine already has xp on it btw.
Re:You can Ghost the HD to another machine then install XP on it on another partition as it gives that option…then verify everything on the new set-up leaving his old one in tact.
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