A driver disk is most most likely not copy protected in any way, so just copying the files with explorer should be enough (select all files and drag them to another folder)

if you want an EXACT image of the disk, then use rawrite (windows version available) or winimage
copying just the files only gets you the files, not the original integrity of the disk

Yes, most likely overkill for a driver disk, though

I prefer using Winimage as well, this tool allows you to conver the diskette format as well, like converting from a 720k size to a 1.44MB size diskette or the other way around as long as there is enough space for the files 😀

As Dominus suggested, since it's just a driver disk, it would be sufficient to make a ZIP file with the contents of the floppy. The only reason you'd make an image of a floppy was if it had some special attribute, like being a boot disk, or having a nonstandard format or something.

You can download Winzip 6.3 which works in Windows 98, or you can do it with Xtree Gold if you felt like retro-ing it up. Unfortunately, built-in ZIP file facilities weren't introduced until Windows XP.

Just make sure Windows isn't hiding any files, check the Folder Options and make sure "Hide system files" is unticked.

I use WinImage to make backup images of bootable disks, but for drivers, a simple zip file will suffice.

I use VGACopy. Screw Winimage 😀

SquallStrife wrote:

Unfortunately, built-in ZIP file facilities weren't introduced until Windows XP.

Technically, it was included in the 98 Plus! pack. I think ME consequently had it too. But I've never liked the Windows built-in Zip functionality.

WinImage, being astonishingly expensive shareware, has never been my favorite either.

Yeah looks like it was included in ME. When you mentioned it I remembered that I had taken the files from ME and ported it to Windows 2000. Never really used it tho.

http://www.compatdb.org/forums/topic/19905-co … ndows-2000-pro/

Well that explains it, I didn't touch ME, and never had it in Windows 2000.

My bad.

Still, Winzip is a much nicer tool than the compressed folders bizzo. Much faster too.

I disagree. 7-zip whips Winzip's ass for modern use.

I only use WinZIP for nostalgia nowadays, and it's around the 6.x/7.x versions only on older systems.

Though, I miss the days when all those companies used the WinZIP self extractor for their pre-setup processes. Much better than Installshield "verifying" itself 3 times.

leileilol wrote:

I disagree. 7-zip whips Winzip's ass for modern use.

How is that disagreeing? Both Winzip and 7zip are nicer and faster than the "compressed folders" engine that Windows uses.

😉

7zip doesn't give you a nag on opening a file, and compressed folders don't either. Back when this was new in 2000 this was a huge convenience. 😀

However the 'search' of files in zips by Windows will lead into memory leaks and runaway loops though. You can't even turn this off on XP despite what all those 'xp how to tech i am super pro ultimate vista expert' sites say.

Oh, nag screen, I was thinking more about how fast they are at actually doing their jobs, especially if you have a ZIP that contains a large number of files.

I can't quite recall what I used to use in 98. I know I used WinZip for a while, since I got a site-licensed version at some point (that'll kill the nag screen). And there was PowerArchiver, back when it was freeware. I forget if I was using IZArc at that point, but it definitely doesn't support Win9x anymore.

I still can't stand 7Zip's interface. A fine algorithm and all that, I'm sure, but I don't understand why the GUI has remained sub-par for so long.

leileilol wrote:

However the 'search' of files in zips by Windows will lead into memory leaks and runaway loops though. You can't even turn this off on XP despite what all those 'xp how to tech i am super pro ultimate vista expert' sites say.

I've been wondering about that. It seems every time I found that tip, I'd find someone commenting "hay that doesn't work", but no further comment on how to permanently fix it.

The worst part is that it insists on putting the Zip files in the folder pane in Explorer. The folder pane is for folders, dangit!

Thanks a lot for the info people! I have been experimenting with everyone's suggestions. Re VGACopy, I use this too, but is it a floppy-to-floppy copier only?

I highly recommend this (windoze software) http://download.cnet.com/Floppy-Image/3000-22 … 4-10053170.html

Credits go to keropi who showed me this util some years ago 😀

As I am preparing some archive for old software at the moment, I would also liuke to know, which utility is a standard utility?

There is rawrite, winimage, vgacopy vcp, dcf, dcp files and so on....
What is most used, versatile in terms of tool availability for Win / DOS / Linux (OS/2...) a.s.o. ?

I just ran the "Floppy Image" setup.exe on Windows 95. Unfortunately, it pops up with an error saying "This program requires Windows version 4.1 or later"