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October 7, 1999

Q&A: Getting Files Off Old Disks


Q. I have a number of files on old 5 1/4-inch diskettes that I'd like to retrieve, but I no longer have a computer with a floppy drive that will read them. Is there any way I can get these files onto my new computer?

A. Even though the 5 1/4-inch floppy disk -- the most common size for PC disks made before 1987 -- has pretty much gone the way of the eight-track tape, it might still be possible to get your files back. But if the documents were created in an old program that has also fallen by the wayside, you may also have to get your old files converted to a format that will work on your new computer. Data conversion companies can take many types of obsolete storage media and transfer the material onto the modern 3 1/2-inch floppies or CD-ROM's or Zip disks. In addition to 5 1/4-inch disks, conversions can also be done for more obscure storage media, like 8-inch floppy disks (the ones that were actually floppy), magnetic data tapes, optical disks and Syquest cartridges.

Prices for the service depend on the type of files you have and the condition of the disk or tape. Some conversions can be as cheap as $5, while more elaborate jobs could cost several hundred dollars. Some companies to try include Computer Conversions
(
www .computer-conversions.com) and the National Data Conversion Institute (www .ndci.com).

J. D. BIERSDORFERBio

Q&A appears in Circuits every Thursday. Click here for a list of links to previous columns.


Circuits invites questions about computer-based technology, by e-mail to QandA@nytimes.com or postal mail to Questions, Circuits, The New York Times, 229 West 43d Street, New York, N.Y. 10036-3959. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually.


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