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Infoimage.gif (3574 bytes)Transfer Files

This section is specifically about transferring files between filesystems (Macintosh, PC or others).

With AmigaOS before OS 2.1

The Amiga operating systems before 2.1 lack the MS-DOS filesystem for floppy disks that the OS 2.1 and newer machines have. This means you can't simply read the disks. This doesn't mean you are out of luck however. You can purchase or in some cases download such a file system.
These methods do require the transferring of files using floppy disks.

There are other filesystems that the Amiga can use, but the most needed transfers are to and from MS-DOS systems, Mac's and Windows.

The easiest alternative to transferring data without a floppy disk is to make a "null-modem" connection.
A null-modem connection uses a special cable. A 'Null-Modem' Cable is simply a serial cable that attaches the two machines through the serial ports. You will require a terminal program for both machines (Windows has a program called "Hyperterminal"/ you can use a Terminal program on the Amiga, Macintosh and many other operating systems for similar results.) You just need to upload/download the files between the two machines through the terminal program. Read the instructions for the particular program you are using for detailed information.

With an Amiga with Operating System 2.1 and above

With AmigaOS 2.1 and above transferring files between the Amiga and a PC is simple, due to CrossDos. To configure the CrossDos filesystem for the first time. Open up a shell on the Amiga and type the following string:

copy sys:storage/dosdrivers/pc0 pc0.info sys:devs/dosdrivers

Reboot the machine and it will now be capable of reading MS-DOS disks and will treat them as Amiga disks.
The only stipulation is that if the Amiga has a low-density 880Kb drive (most Amigas do), you will have to format the disks as 720K disks in order to have them read on the Amiga.

Installing Macintosh filesystem on the Amiga?
For Macintosh simply purchase or download a version of CrossMac (if you want to read Macintosh disks).



*CrossDos/CrossMAC are a trademark of Consultron.

 

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