Thread: Making a backup of Mitsubishi software on 3.5" disk

I would like to make a backup copy of my software disk as well as the pitch parameter disk. From what I knowthey are 720K but I cannot read them in any computer I try. Anyone have any suggestions? My disks are getting old and I would hate to loose my only copy I have.

You cannot format them in the machine, you have to format them from Windows with a command line code for Windows to read them. You can make a backup of the pitch error disk no problem, you just have to output the parameters to the disk and name the files. Mits can provide you with the procedure to format 720k disks and backup your pitch error/parameter disk. It's pretty simple.

As for the software, they are not formatted in DOS, they are in CP/M, and you will not be able to read these on a standard computer. Replacement software disks are available from Mits for a reasonable fee should you ever need them.

Originally Posted by MitsTech

You cannot format them in the machine, you have to format them from Windows with a command line code for Windows to read them. You can make a backup of the pitch error disk no problem, you just have to output the parameters to the disk and name the files. Mits can provide you with the procedure to format 720k disks and backup your pitch error/parameter disk. It's pretty simple.

As for the software, they are not formatted in DOS, they are in CP/M, and you will not be able to read these on a standard computer. Replacement software disks are available from Mits for a reasonable fee should you ever need them.

It's a big fee if your not registered. I dont want to pay 1500 bucks to start. I guess I need to Google copying a cpm disk.

Can I copy the software from the disk to my pc via rs232?

Originally Posted by SteveEx30

It's a big fee if your not registered. I dont want to pay 1500 bucks to start. I guess I need to Google copying a cpm disk.

You might try finding a data recovery service or data conversion service to make copies for you. Now that you understand the challenge (CPM), you have something to tell the computer guys.

http://www.werecoverdata.com/floppy-disk-recovery/


If you end up creating your own copy station, here's CPM 2.2 software for $15:
Digital Research CPM 2.2 operating system | eBay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...36&_nkw=cp%2Fm

I tried a couple dos programs that should read a CPM disk with no luck. It seems the CPM format was vague and could potentially be different between companies...

Im gonna try an 8080 emulator..... Not giving up just yet.

Might have to pull out my old C64 lol..

Originally Posted by SteveEx30

It's a big fee if your not registered. I dont want to pay 1500 bucks to start. I guess I need to Google copying a cpm disk.

Ahh yes, well that certainly changes things. I wish I was able to provide you with more help but I've been out of Mits a few years now and no longer have access to that type of information. I'm not sure what type of machine they use to make the new copies of the disks at Mits. All of that is done out of Wood Dale and I worked out of the east coast office.

I wish you luck! If you do in fact find a way to copy the Mits CP/M disks I'd be very interested.

Originally Posted by MitsTech

Ahh yes, well that certainly changes things. I wish I was able to provide you with more help but I've been out of Mits a few years now and no longer have access to that type of information. I'm not sure what type of machine they use to make the new copies of the disks at Mits. All of that is done out of Wood Dale and I worked out of the east coast office.

I wish you luck! If you do in fact find a way to copy the Mits CP/M disks I'd be very interested.

It definitely can be done as my software is on a copied disk. I just want a backup as ya never know with the old disks... the cpm thing is definitely gonna be a challenge. I called a few places that do software recovery and they basically laughed... I need to hi
t a cpm forum..

Code for formatting 720k DOS disk in XP is

Code:

FORMAT A: /T:80 /N:9

This needs to be run from a command prompt. From my experience, some USB external floppy drives will not be able to do this. The one I used at Mits was a Lacie. If I recall, my Dell internal 3.5" for my laptop did not work for this.

Also, not sure if this works on Vista/Win7. You also need to cover the hole on the side of the disk (the one without the slider).

Originally Posted by MitsTech

Code for formatting 720k DOS disk in XP is

Code:

FORMAT A: /T:80 /N:9

This needs to be run from a command prompt. From my experience, some USB external floppy drives will not be able to do this. The one I used at Mits was a Lacie. If I recall, my Dell internal 3.5" for my laptop did not work for this.

Also, not sure if this works on Vista/Win7. You also need to cover the hole on the side of the disk (the one without the slider).

Thanks for the tip. In the past I used my old win98 box for the 720 formats as I had no luck doing it in xp. Not having much luck with the cpm format still . Might have to try my Linux box with some software I found.

Originally Posted by SteveEx30

Might have to try my Linux box with some software I found.

Please do keep us updated on that...

If we're talking older as in "C" series, "H" etc, from what I have heard in the past everything is proprietary in regards to the disks and the control reading them. Of course that might be incorrect info. If you do figure out a way to do it, please post back about it, I'd love to know how too! But be careful, only thing worse than the originals going bad, is one messing them up trying to make a copy!

Its a J seriers cnc sinker, but the newer EX machine uses the same format, maybe even the EA... I agree with you, I would NEVER tinker with my software disk lol... I formatted a fresh disk in the control and dropped a few NC programs on it for my "test disk"

It's definitly more of a challenge than I would have thought.. Most of the programs available (anadisk, 22disk, fcopy, to name a few) havent worked, but Im wondering if my P1 computer might be too new. Trying to hunt down something older to use. I will keep posted.