Need to copy a floppy "master"

NYSpeed Automotive NYSpeed Off Topic
1

I have a 3.5" floppy master disk for some software that is a PITA.

I had a disk go bad and get replaced my the manf. but I want to make a copy of it for safe keeping so that I can avoid such delays in the future.

The entire purpose of the floppy is copy protection, so what software would be best to duplicate it?

I found a copy of “copyQM” but I have not tried it yet.
Anything that might be better for this?

Thanks.

2

What software is it?

Is it a key disk or does the disk use a method of changing the address marks?

3

The disk holds the license file and transfers/removes it from one PC so you can put it on another.

Its Allen badley software.

I’m trying copyqm now…
Silly dos programs.

4

nope… apparently copyQM does not see the disc.

5

Do you want me to order you one?

I am an Allen Bradley distributor.

6

I can get free replacements when they go bad, but I would rather have an extra stashed away in my desk if I need it.

7

I would be more worried about finding another computer with a floppy drive if that goes bad. I haven’t seen a computer with one in years. What can you put on a 1.5 MB drive now anyways?

:lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2113/1501131768_d0a1da189a.jpg

8

you can try DOS command called “diskcopy.” it’s pretty low level, so, it might work.

9

I had to steal… I mean borrow Fry’s usb floppy for my shenangans.

Any other software that might let me make an image of the drive?

10

Ya create a direct bit copy of the floppy. You can do it with CDs and I am sure you can do it with a floppy. This way you can keep the image on your PC and make a new floppy when needed.

11

And how might one do that?

12

I’ve always done it in Linux and its: dd if=/dev/fd0 of=somefile.img

Would need to research how to do it in Windows.

13

can I do it with Knoppix?

14

Ya. If you load up the linux live cd just open a terminal as root and run it.

Point the “if” to the device of your floppy drive and then point “of” to where you want the image.

Post the results becuase I am interested if it will copy it bit for bit which should catch the file system bit key changes.

15

I used to use WinImage to make an disk images.

16

I was going to try winimage, but I the site is blocked @ work :frowning: