Need a simple, small external DOS-based compression program (vanity)

[calvin sun]

My Windows 98 system has a bad hard disk. However, I can get to a command line prompt on that system via a boot diskette I have created.

I need to copy off a file that is larger than 1.44 mb. But of course neither COPY nor XCOPY support multiple destination diskettes.

I have looked at the utility RAR but it seems pretty hard to understand.

So, here is what I need: - a program that works in the command line environment that copies (compression would be great too) a file to multiple diskettes - a corresponding program that uncompresses - would like the program to be under 1.4 mb

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

[Dataman]

Use pkzip with the span disks command.

[B Knotts]

As I recall, PKZip does multiple-diskette spanning.

[amigatec]

Yes it does, I use to use it all the time.

[DB]

If you have another Windows 98 machine you can remove the bad hard drive and connect it to your working Win98 machine as a second (slave) drive without actually mounting it. Boot the computer and then simply copy the files you want. When done remove the bad drive.

[calvin sun]

Does PKZIP work in a command line environment, or only in full-screen-graphics mode? I have access only to the command line, so I need a program that works there. I didn't think PKWARE still made a DOS-type program.

[Grit]

There are tons of DOS based file splitting utils out there...I can't vouch for any of them personally but this one is shareware with a limit of 3meg files...

http://server49.hypermart.net/hangvogel/smartcopy/smrtcopy.exe

Also search through download.com for file utilities...

[balrog666]

Does PKZIP work in a command line environment, or only in full-screen-graphics mode? I have access only to the command line, so I need a program that works there. I didn't think PKWARE still made a DOS-type program.

Yes, look for version 2.50.

[r9etb]

You can download a dos version from here.

[Question_Assumptions]

If none of the other options work, look for gzip (gzip.exe).

[Paleo Conservative]

Do you know anyone who has a Laplink parallel cable? If you do, you could connect your old computer to another computer running DOS and transfer your files over a parallel cable. Laplink parallel transfers are much faster and more reliable than transferring data to floppies.

There is also a utility that I downloaded a few years ago that allows long file names on FAT partitions to be backed up to a file and then restored later from that file.

[brianl703]

You could also get a null-modem cable and use Telix or another DOS communication/terminal emulation program with Zmodem support, and send the file with Zmodem...

I think the long file name utility comes with Windows.

[Paleo Conservative]

A null modem cable is a lot slower than a parallel cable. I have both the serial (null modem) and parallel cables that I got with Laplink III. I have rarely ever used the serial cable, because the highest data rate is only 115 kb per second. That is kilobits per second not kilobytes, and that assumes you have parallel ports on both computers that can go that fast. There are 8 bits to a byte. When you account for some overhead it is more like 10 bits transmitted per byte. so 115 kb/sec is more like 11.5 kilobytes per second. That is pretty slow to transfer a whole hard disk full of data. A parallel cable can transfer 500,000 bytes per second. It is about half the speed of an old 10 megabit ethernet connection.

[Paleo Conservative]

and that assumes you have parallel ports on both computers that can go that fast

Erratum: that assumes you have serial ports on both computerst that can go that fast.

[DeltaZulu]

INFOZIP @ http://www.info-zip.org/pub/infozip/

[brianl703]

That's true, but a null modem cable and comm software is a heck of a lot easier to come by than a parallel cable and Laplink III....

[Paleo Conservative]

That's true, but a null modem cable and comm software is a heck of a lot easier to come by than a parallel cable and Laplink III....

It is possible to get everything necessary for a transfer via parallel cable today in just about every city where there is a CompUSA, Office Depot, or Best Buy.

Laplink V is still available from Laplink.com and is downloadable.

http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&SID=738&SP=10007&PN=5&PID=378010&DSP=&CUR=840&PGRP=0&CACHE_ID=0

If you don't know anyone who has laplink cable already, you can buy a parallel file transfer cable from your local Office Depot for about $20. I have also seen Laplink with cables available at Half Price Books for about $15.

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=108126

[Paleo Conservative]

Here is a page I found with archive copies of both Laplink and FastLynx (a similar program). Just follow the link and go to the bottom of the page.

http://www.oldstuff.myagora.net/powerload/msdos.htm

[chuckles]

Post #5 has the best, easiest, fastest, cheapest idea. Everybody has an old 486 or something laying around, right?

Trying to boot from a floppy and mess with command line with PKWare will just PI$$ you off. If you have to buy another hard drive any way, install the new drive as master, then put on the OS, then hook up the old drive as slave. Viola! done with one computer.

[chuckles]

PS. I'm suposed to admonish you to always back up your data from now on. There, you should feel totally whacked even though nobody backs up data unless their money is on the line.

(People always say that kind of crap to me, so now I get to say it to you). Don't you have the file you need on backup?