Thinkpads Forum

hi all. I have an old thinkpad 600 that i'd like to use with a linux distro but I have to save some files for about 1G. the OS is win95 and usb doesn't work, i haven't a net PC card and...how can i "backup" this files?? how to use usb for a 512MB key?? Probably I could install win98 in a partition without lose files...but...how to??
thanks!!

P.S. too many errors?? SORRY!!

Since you say USB doesn't work (and W95 is a huge pain for USB anyway)

Probably the easiest way is to get one of these:


http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?c ... adaptor%29


which would allow you to temporarily slave the hard drive into a desktop, and just copy the files right off the hard drive.

Another way is to get a laplink type (null modem) cable for the printer or serial port, and with some sort of connecting software, you can transfer files over the cable, but if you're going to do that, you might as well get a network card

You could even transfer some files using the modem, but that would be slow.


Another thing that occurs to me is, that the original hard drive in there just might be getting a little small, maybe you want a larger one? If you get another hard drive, you could buy a second hard drive tray for the ultraslimbay and copy the files off the original drive, from there.

440roadrunner wrote:
You could even transfer some files using the modem, but that would be slow.

thanks roadrunner, but how to transfer files using a 56k modem? I'have to traaansfer about 500M so speed isn't important. But how does win95 work with pcmcia, above all wi-fi PCcard?

Sorry if this comes off as a little snarky, but you consider these files important, yet you normally don't make any backups? Hard drives are known to go bad at random moments (especially when they get older). What would you do if the HD just stops working tomorrow?

Anyway, back on topic. Forget about the 56K modem, most won't connect directly to another modem without the telephone network in between. And even if they did you'd spend days to research how to setup dial-in servers or X-Y-Z-modem protocols.

A network card (wired or wireless) would work, but support for win95 can be pretty flaky. If you manage to find one with win95 support, we can help you setup Windows file sharing (or even a simple FTP server). But Roadrunner's first suggestion is much easier, you'll just connect the laptop drive directly to a desktop IDE connector.

Another was is to put the HD in a USB enclosure and connect it to another PC. Laptop drive USB enclosures are available in every PC shop and should costs no more than about $15. Or you can skip the enclosure case and get just it in cable form, like these these.

em500 wrote:
Sorry if this comes off as a little snarky, but you consider these files important, yet you normally don't make any backups? Hard drives are known to go bad at random moments (especially when they get older). What would you do if the HD just stops working tomorrow?

ummm...it's so but my brother didn't that! this tp is...was of my brother I want to use it but he didn't do any backup so I have to put all files on a dvd for him. I have backup copies of all my most important files!

em500 wrote: But Roadrunner's first suggestion is much easier, you'll just connect the laptop drive directly to a desktop IDE connector.

ok. I have this connector...I try. Thanks.

Ok. I'd personally go with a IDE->USB adapter. It's somewhat more usefull in general than a 2.5"->3.5" IDE adapter, as you can turn any laptop IDE drive into an external drive. And you don't have to open the case of the target PC.

problem solved!! thanks to all... now I have to upgrade bios...without battery!!Is it possible??I need to upgrade to install linux but battery is too old and system doesn't upgrade without charged battery

up. any suggestion??

Try searching for "BIOS upgrade battery"

This has been covered several times.