How to restore old IMG files from floppy disks to a disc.
I have reactivated my old computer and wanted to experiment a little here. Old software is often available on the Internet in the form of .img files. However, these are not as easy to transfer to the data carrier as ISO files, which can also be transferred to a CD or DVD using Windows board tools.
Therefore, here are two methods, for Linux and for Windows.
USB floppy disc drive
In the first step, we need a floppy drive. Computers have not had such a thing installed internally for many years, but there are suitable USB floppy drives. These are also easily recognised by Windows, Linux and probably also the Mac. Even Android devices can cope with them.
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For this we need floppy discs, either you still have some lying around and hope that they still work. Alternatively, you can still buy new floppy discs today. By the way, old double density floppy discs could not be used with the USB drive, for whatever reason.
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- Kapazität: 1.44MB
- Typ: MF-2HD Diskette
- mit Metall-Verschluss
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It’s nice that the discs are still available in packs of 10, just like before.
Transfer disc image file to floppy in Windows, with WinImage
Now we come to the Windows part. Here there is the software “WinImage“. This can be downloaded as a test version from the manufacturer’s homepage.
The trial version can be used for 30 days. The procedure is simple, we open the image file and can immediately see the contents. Individual files can be extracted.
We can transfer the IMG file to the disc via the “Disk” menu.
It takes a while:
Interestingly, the method did not work reliably in the current version 11. Nothing happened here. However, the old versions of the software are also available for download on the homepage. The 10 version worked without any problems during our test. The disc is created after a short wait. It really isn’t fast, just like it used to be.
If you want to use the software permanently, you have to pay a few euros. In return, the software offers even more functions.
Copying an IMG file to disc with Linux
Linux users don’t have it any easier, but at least it’s free. The following command is often given on the Internet:
sudo dd if=of=/dev/fd0
This also works and quickly reports that everything has worked. Too fast. The drive did nothing for me and afterwards there was nothing on the disc.
The “path” to the device was different for me. The Linux command “df” brings up the correct device.
In my case this was “/dev/sdb“, recognisable by the small size. So adjust the command if necessary:
sudo dd if=of=/dev/sdb
Again, the command ran quickly, 190 MB/s were reported immediately. The drive also started to rattle. It is now necessary to wait until the write process is really complete. Either until the drive is finished or it is best to eject the data carrier.
Done, the content of the .img file was then also on the disc.
