Ok.... this is sad... I know... but I am helping this guy with his database problems and currently he is running Nutshell on an OLD DOS computer thats about to quit. Is there any possible way to convert the Nutshell database over to his newer PC thats running Win98?? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. P.S. The reason im not just starting him over with something new like FileMaker is because he is so effecient with this old Nutshell interface (he is 70 years old, mind you). Thanks!

I don't know Nutshell at all, but as Windows 98 is a DOS-kernel system, why do you not port the Nutshel database directly to Windows? I operate many legacy DOS programs managing their own data structures under Win 98 and even XP without problems, although each case is a story by itself.

That would be ideal.... but how do I do that??? If you could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it! Thanks

As I said each DOS software porting to more advanced systems has its own challenges. I don't know Nutshell software product, so I have to be quite generic. 1) If you have the installation floppies simply reinstall in a DOS window under Win 98. 2) Otherwise you have to identify carefully all the files belonging to the database system, i.e. the program files (executable and configuration ones) and those storing actually the data, and save them zipped to floppis to transfer them onto the new PC eventually. This job is mainly related to identify the directories involved. Being the target system Windows 98 there are high possibilities the result works fine. I saw far harder migrations. Sorry, but with no info I can't tell you more hints.

A little interesting history, Leading Edge Nutshell, a flat file database. Supposedly bought by Apple (Claris) and is the predecessor to Filemaker Pro. No wonder the old guy likes it so much. I have seen it, and may have used it a little. What I remember about these old programs is that they run from either a floppy or single directory. So, make a directory and just copy all the seemingly related program and data files. Try running from DOS and DOS window.

I have a large and precious database saved using the old Leading Edge Nutshell program (DOS) you mention. I still use it under windows XP, but I'd like to convert the data over so I can use it in Microsoft Works. Any idea how I can do that? I'm a novice with the PC, so assume I don't know much. Thanks for your help. Mark

Do you know if the program has an export function? Or can you output to a text file? Old application data transfer usually is by finding a common data format of the old and new program. Sometimes it takes more than one transformation. How big is the data file? rows? columns?