File sharing between c128 and pc

[Sega dude]

Is there a way I can share files between by REAL commodore 128 and my pc? I have a 1571 disk drive and i was wondering if I could hook it my PC. I should I just try to find a 3 1/2 " drive? I want to download games, put them on disks and play them on my REAL commodore 128. Is this even possible?

P.S. I REFUSE to use an emulator!!!!!!!!!

[Golan Klinger]

Do you refuse to use Google too?

[airship]

Now, now, Golan...

There are several solutions.

(1) You can try to find a 5.25" drive for your PC, or a 1581 for your C128, then use Little Red Reader to transfer files via 'floppynet'. (I do this.)

(2) You can dedicate an old PC as a DOS-based file server for your C128 using 64HDD. You can boot the PC into Windows with an Internet connection and transfer your files to its hard drive, then reboot in DOS mode and serve them up to your C128. (I also do this.)

(3) You can get an Ethernet connection working to your PC using RR-Net or one of the other hardware Ethernet adapters for the C64. This is a C64-mode-only solution for your C128 for the time being, unfortunately.

(4) You can get an MMC-64 or other card reader and use it for transferring files. Again, C64 only for now.

(5) You can use an XM1541 (or a variant) with a PC and OpenCBM, Star Commander, or another PC-to-Commodore transfer program. I did this for awhile, and this is the solution you asked about. You can use it to hook up your 1571 to your PC. You'll have to run in DOS mode to make it work, though.

(6) You can use 64IDE to hook up an IDE hard drive to your Commodore.

Etc.  Google 'Commodore File Transfer' for more solutions and implementation details, including where to buy hardware and download software.

It ain't easy, but it can be done. Good luck!

[Golan Klinger]

What can I tell you? It has been a long day.

I have near to unlimited patience for helping those who help themselves. A simple search of Google (or browse about these forums) would have revealed answers to the OP's questions after which the posting of more specific follow-up questions would have been in order. I've grown tired of those whose only participation in the community is to use it as free technical support. It's like walking into a bar, ordering a beer and immediately asking the regulars if they can help you move.

On a related note, I ran a very successful BBS for many years and while most boards had a long list of (often stupid) rules, I kept things short and sweet:

1. Look before you ask.
2. Know before you tell.
3. Think before you speak.
4. Don't be a dumbass.

Intelligent newcomers were welcome, the lazy and/or stupid were ostracized and old timers were given latitude. Ah, the good, old days.

[BigDumbDinosaur]

I have near to unlimited patience for helping those who help themselves. A simple search of Google (or browse about these forums) would have revealed answers to the OP's questions after which the posting of more specific follow-up questions would have been in order. I've grown tired of those whose only participation in the community is to use it as free technical support.

I tend to agree with the above.  I see far too many who won't help themselves and expect everyone to pick up the slack.  Solutions for moving files between the Commodore and PC worlds have been around for a long time, going all the way back to BigBlueReader.  If someone is too lazy to do at least a cursory query in a search engine, they're probably equally lazy when it comes to *learning* how this stuff works.  I don't have patience with those who are lazy, mentally or otherwise.

Sorry, just a grumpy old dinosaur who learned all this stuff the old fashioned way.

[xlar54]

Is there a way I can share files between by REAL commodore 128 and my pc? I have a 1571 disk drive and i was wondering if I could hook it my PC. I should I just try to find a 3 1/2 " drive? I want to download games, put them on disks and play them on my REAL commodore 128. Is this even possible?

P.S. I REFUSE to use an emulator!!!!!!!!!

Ironic that you mention you refuse to use an emulator... WinVICE supports IEC devices via OpenCBM (I think its OpenCBM anyway..all from memory).  What that means is that you can connect a real 1541 to a PC and use the emulator to read...and write... the floppy disk.  WinVICE is good in all that it can do.  Do some google/google groups searches for using WinVICE in this manner.

[RobertB]

Is there a way I can share files between by REAL commodore 128 and my pc? I have a 1571 disk drive and i was wondering if I could hook it my PC. I should I just try to find a 3 1/2 " drive? I want to download games, put them on disks and play them on my REAL commodore 128. Is this even possible?

Well, if you put a 3 1/2" drive in your PC, then you would need a 1581 or FD-2000/4000 3 1/2" disk drive for your Commodore.  Download the program onto your PC 3 1/2" drive, bring the disk over to 1581/FD-x000 drive, and convert it with something like that .d64 Reader from Loadstar disk magazine.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/

[smf]

Ironic that you mention you refuse to use an emulator... WinVICE supports IEC devices via OpenCBM (I think its OpenCBM anyway..all from memory).  What that means is that you can connect a real 1541 to a PC and use the emulator to read...and write... the floppy disk.  WinVICE is good in all that it can do.  Do some google/google groups searches for using WinVICE in this manner.

Using WinVice for transferring images to a 1541 is probably the most roundabout way of doing it. You'd need an adapter to hookup the drive to your PC anyway. The only advantage you might have is that it might support turbo load/save, none of the native transfer utilities that I have used did. Although it's been a while and I always transferred disks on my a1200 anyway.

[Sega dude]

I bought this and it come yesterday but I need help useng it. http://cgi.ebay.com/Commodore-XE1541-XM1541-Adapter-PC-1541-64-128_W0QQitemZ250206251405QQihZ015QQcategoryZ74945QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem  After I connect my 1571 disk drive and connect it to the computer, I turn the PC on. The light on the adapter lights up at the BIOS screen then turns off when Windows XP starts to load. I'm using cbm4win with the GUI. I also noticed that the drive light on the commodore drive stays lit and never turns off. When I start cmb4win i get this error: http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2857/cmb4winerrorwi0.png Does the 1571 drive work with this adapter? Please help. Thanks

[xlar54]

Well... the ebay seller says it does...but who can really be sure about such things.  I would first try various LPT port settings in your BIOS.  I made my own cable for 64HDD and after some trial and error, I found the setting that got it working. There's really too much going on to be able to help your situation.. the whole thing is really hit or miss due to motherboards, voltage levels, interface types, running software, etc.  Keep poking at it or try a different machine is probably the best realistic advice.

[Sega dude]

Ironic that you mention you refuse to use an emulator... WinVICE supports IEC devices via OpenCBM (I think its OpenCBM anyway..all from memory).  What that means is that you can connect a real 1541 to a PC and use the emulator to read...and write... the floppy disk.  WinVICE is good in all that it can do.  Do some google/google groups searches for using WinVICE in this manner.

Got the adapter to work today after installing a driver. I would like to know how to do that with WinVICE. Also can anyone recommend a program the has a windows gui, that I can make .d64 images with? I what to backup all my important commodore diskettes. Any game recommendations? 

[nikoniko]

In WinVICE, go to the Settings->Peripheral settings menu and tell it to use a real IEC device.