Windows 95 has a built-in file transfer program that can use parallel LapLink cables.
It's called 'Direct Cable Connection'.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YHyrsVihry8

https://techgenix.com/wxpdcc9i/

Alternatively, it might be possible to transfer data via serial connection.
Nullmodem or IrDa, for example.
HyperTerminal can be used to get communications software onto the laptop.
Protocols lile Kermit, XModem/ZModem etc can be used.

Jo22 wrote on 2022-09-22, 04:59:

Windows 95 has a built-in file transfer program that can use parallel LapLink cables. It's called 'Direct Cable Connection'. […]
Show full quote

Windows 95 has a built-in file transfer program that can use parallel LapLink cables.
It's called 'Direct Cable Connection'.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YHyrsVihry8

https://techgenix.com/wxpdcc9i/

Alternatively, it might be possible to transfer data via serial connection.
Nullmodem or IrDa, for example.
HyperTerminal can be used to get communications software onto the laptop.
Protocols lile Kermit, XModem/ZModem etc can be used.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that program. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time finding laplink cables for a reasonable price over here. I can get a cheap serial null modem cable on Amazon, so that might still be an option for transferring files at least.

You wont find laplink cables anywhere as their usage peaked 25 years ago 😀 What you will find absolutely everywhere with a printer is old LPT cable. It takes 30 minutes for absolute amateur to rewire Printer cable to laplink with a basic soldering iron. You could even go as crazy as splicing individual cables by hand with no soldering, like repairing a bicycle lamp 😀

Another alternative https://www.yyzkevin.com/pcmcia-pico-w-card/

rasz_pl wrote on 2022-09-23, 13:13:

You wont find laplink cables anywhere as their usage peaked 25 years ago 😀 What you will find absolutely everywhere with a printer is old LPT cable. It takes 30 minutes for absolute amateur to rewire Printer cable to laplink with a basic soldering iron. You could even go as crazy as splicing individual cables by hand with no soldering, like repairing a bicycle lamp 😀

Another alternative https://www.yyzkevin.com/pcmcia-pico-w-card/

A pcmcia compactflash adapter will still be cheaper than yyzkevin's last experiment.
Other neat ideas:
-making a serial null modem cable out of dupont cables
-using minimodem to transfer data via the speaker http://www.whence.com/minimodem/

rasz_pl wrote on 2022-09-23, 13:13:

You wont find laplink cables anywhere as their usage peaked 25 years ago 😀 What you will find absolutely everywhere with a printer is old LPT cable. It takes 30 minutes for absolute amateur to rewire Printer cable to laplink with a basic soldering iron. You could even go as crazy as splicing individual cables by hand with no soldering, like repairing a bicycle lamp 😀

Another alternative https://www.yyzkevin.com/pcmcia-pico-w-card/

I've started looking for parallel cables. There's been a few come up locally, but they've all had that centronics plug on the end. I'll keep looking, as something should come up sooner or later.

A pcmcia compactflash adapter will still be cheaper than yyzkevin's last experiment. Other neat ideas: -making a serial null mo […]
Show full quote

A pcmcia compactflash adapter will still be cheaper than yyzkevin's last experiment.
Other neat ideas:
-making a serial null modem cable out of dupont cables
-using minimodem to transfer data via the speaker http://www.whence.com/minimodem/

Amazon has serial null modem cables for $8, so I wouldn't need to make one. The only problem is that I'm not sure if I can image the HDD over serial. Norton ghost mentions parallel and network in their manual. Still, that might work for transferring files. I don't mind if it's slow. That's part of the charm, reminds me of downloading games from BBSes as a kid.

BTW - thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate all the feedback. Nice introduction to the community.

Ensign Nemo wrote on 2022-09-23, 16:48:

I've started looking for parallel cables. There's been a few come up locally, but they've all had that centronics plug on the end. I'll keep looking, as something should come up sooner or later.

I mean ask a teacher/parent/coworker/friends if they have their old printer cable laying around. Get two free cables, rewire as needed.

Found those projects for serial transfer:
https://github.com/trevorg16/serial-hd-img
https://github.com/tschak909/disk-xfer
https://github.com/fysnet/mcopyata

Using a combination of dd and nc would work too.
And I suppose that with interlink, Ghost or any other Dos based imaging software would be able to use the remote drive to save the dump, whichever way the two machines are connected.

I just picked up an older Toshiba Tecra A3 for $20. It should have an IDE HDD, so I should be able to back up the Hitachi drive with clonezilla. Now I'll just need to find a solution for transferring files. I'll be keeping an eye out for pcmcia cards that are a reasonable price. I'll probably pick up the null modem cable from Amazon since it's really cheap.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions.