While attempting to install windows 3.1, and then windows 3.11"WFW" I received an error bad sectors, and then I got an error saying corrupted file.

PS<Scanned floppies for viruses with McAfee 2004updated Defs, and then Norton 2003.

I have installed two new disk drives into the computer 1.44mb drives, and still getting errors.

I attempted to run scandisk on the diskettes, it found bad sectors, and erased them, I then attempted to recover them by using dos, Norton Repair options. This however has caused twice the problems, as I own both versions of windows on floppy, but my disks somehow went bad.

I attempted to use a swith technique of one disk set of 3.1 and then win3.11, this has worked in past, but now, I do not have enough files to complete it as more files / disks have gone bad. I keep my disks in an antistatic bag closed, Is this not the best way to preserve disks?

Any suggestions on where or how to fix these problems would be greatly appreciated. Since I own the original disks, is it possable to get them repaired, or replaced?

Am I entitled to download any replacement disks?

Please list links if possable or feel free to email me at Jecenlightened@aol.com, please type in the subject line with what your reply is for so that my spam filters on aol doesnt delete them. :)

I miss my blue screen logo :) with the colored windows logo...

I agree that windows 3.x was one of the most stable versions of windows, lol most of the time it was the programs you installed that causes the errors to arise.. Seems like the opposite nowaday...

Purpose for installation is to revive a pc from the graveyard, and type on.

Thanks for everyones help...

Sincerely,
Joe Christian

"Is this not the best way to preserve disks?"

Not really - static is hardly a consideration for that type of magnetic media. You want to avoid temperature extremes, excessive humidity, magnetic fields (they're everywhere) as well as dust & dirt.

The best method of preservation is to make backup disks

That product is no longer supported, so, no, there is no replacement by the manufacturer.

There is no legitimate download source either, entitled or not - any such links, if posted here, will be removed, as per site policy.

Maybe try eBay or other reseller

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

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I shall try Ebay then. You would think it would be unethical to have to pay for an item twice, since you already own the product, lol. Thanks for your reply.

Sincerely,
Joe Christian

Well, it is 12 year old software.

Anything important should be backed up at least once - relying on a single copy is risky (as you know).

Shouldn't be too expensive.

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

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True, I have another question.

If and when I can get my windows versions rebought. I have a usb external lexar media drive, would it be possable to boot into a dos detected mode that could load the usb drives and then perform an install, dos and windows 3.x on it? It would only be on one, but then I could take it with me providing security, lol kids.

Ps, im aware that the old dos tools do not detect usb. In fact USB I believe was out only when win95 was out. But I have noticed that linux can do this with simulated dos probing.

I again do not want to take a hard drive in and out or use a removeable one, as they are expensive and i have not had a lot of luck with them. I have heard rumers of a device that hooks to a 40pin ide connector tricking bioses to thinking a flash card is a HD? Is this true, and what would it be called? :) Again thanks for your support.

Also what would be the best way to make a perfect backup copy of rebought win3.x disks?

I have a dvd burner and cd burner, and i want to keep everything legal, are you entitled to make a backup of copyrighted software of windows 3.x and dos?

Sincerely,
Joe Christian

One way to make copies of your 3.5" discs is to use Winimage and keep the image on a hard disk or burn to CD:

http://www.oldos.org/files/win31dl.php

DOS support for USB can be problematic - there are device drivers, but no guarantee of functionality.

Win95B & C had very limited native USB support, full support really began with 98.

Simplest method would be to copy the Windows disks onto floppies, but sure, you can also backup to a CD. The DOS disks might be different, as they are designed to make use of the floppy volume label - as well, the first diskette is bootable. WinImage is good at making exact copies.

You are legally entitled to make backups (along the lines of Fair Use) - I don't know if there's a limit. Unlikely that Bill Gates' storm troopers will pay you a visit, in any event.

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

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This is pertinent to win3.x installations.

Thanks I will surely buy an edition of Winimage now, trying Shareware. The question about the 40pin device? Does anyone know about this?

"Repost of above question" I have heard rumers of a device that hooks to a 40pin ide connector ribbon, and is a connector tricking bioses to think a flash card is a HD? Is this true, and what would it be called? :) Again thanks for your support.

That would be an excellant way to run IDE1 and IDE2 // IDE 1 Master with Windows 3.1 and dos, and IDE 2 Master with 98. Without using a bios translator or switch program I can just simply unplug the 40 pin from the tower, and I have modified my pc so that the 40pin connectors are now attached to the outside of the case. :) I always modify pc's, but I am really interesting in restoring my old computer with 3.1 and dos primarily I use Xp for internet related surfing... At least until a friend emailed me with a new suggestion to try out linux.

With all the trouble I have been having attaining win 3.x on ebay I was outbid several times... Does anyone here have a legal 3.x windows they would be willing to sell me? Email me if you have any originals available. In need of Dos 6.2 and 6.22 not bootdisks, but installation disks.

I believe you are half right on that win95, but I do however disagree, and here is why.

If you have a drivers download disk with win95c or win98B you can use the drivers interchangably on a windows 95a,b,c installation, which would give you newer drivers, and of course I have used this method in the past. If you use a win98 cdrom for the drivers then you would most likely be correct, LOL I used to experiment with interchangable installations, and its fun to find a mixed OS :)... Never know whats possable till you have tried the unthinkable... :)

I was just emailed by someone from here recommending I try Linux/Phlak and a few others, I may try that method...

Not worry about HDs alltogether. Just remove the disk. Have you run PHLAK, AMIGO, BEERNIX, DYNEBOLIC, FRUSTIX, VORTEX, or Knoppix?

I am in the process of deciding to leave windows, because of the hassle to acquire new installation disks, and would like your opinion of the above linux versions of LIVE distros you would prefer to use?

I am sorry to waste your time about the windows disks, there a thing of the past probably time to move on anyways.

Linux may be the best solution for the world... Sure wish i could load my old windows apps on it though, or even my newer ones. I have a lot of software i have purchased recently..

Sincerely,
Joe Christian

USB Support for Windows 95

You're kind of rambling - I'm not sure what you mean, but nevermind.

Yes, undoubtedly the rumours are correct - folks in the hardware forum may be able to tell you more.

Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.

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:) At least your honest :) thanks. I have found additional help on other posts as well on other websites as to which linux to run. :)

Sincerely,
Joe Christian

yes it is rambling but:

Win3.xx (Licensed software)try Ebay.

Disk Imaging: Winimage supports w3.x with WINS32 installed, or their is a DOS version.

Flash Media as a hard drive (can be treated as a boot device) is not BIOS trick, they adhere to ATA66 standard and if the PC BIOS is complient to ATA66 it will work, therefore try the following for adaptors:

http://linitx.com/index.php?cPath=39

or if the BIOS is too old look at this product:

http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_memory_reader/ide_digidrive.asp

Also see DOS website specifically:

http://www.mwpms.uklinux.net/page2.htm
http://www.mwpms.uklinux.net/vfat.htm

DOS USB support see:

http://www.mwpms.uklinux.net/usbfire.htm

There is a device that uses a flash card as a perminant storage medium, it does connect to the IDE socket on the mother board.

It's a reader/writer card that makes the flash memory bootable.

PS I'm using one in my dedicated MP3 computer

Expect The Unexpected

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"It's a reader/writer card that makes the flash memory bootable."

LOL LOL LOL System files make media bootable.

Thanks everyone for your help :).

Sincerely,
Joe Christian

i have several copies of 3.1 which i do not use, if you would like one let me know