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Level 1

4 points

How to transfer Windows 3 data from a G3 with a bad floppy drive

My first Mac was a PowerMac G3 beige tower (233 Ghz) in 1998. At that time I installed VirtualPC running Windows 3.0 to use a genealogy program that didn't run on a Mac and input all my family data. I have a 5 inch floppy disk with the data but when I tried to use it to transfer to a newer computer, I got a message that one of the files (of course it had to be the biggest!) was corrupted. Now the floppy disc drivenon the G3 has failed. I bought a "new" drive off the Internetn but it doesn't work either. Windows 3.0 doesn't recognize USB, so I can't use my external floppy drive. Is there any way I can transfer the data via a direct connection to another Mac? I have a eMac (educational version of the original iMac, vintage 2002) that still works, also a PowerPC iMac and an Intel iMac. I will be extremely grateful to anyone who can keep me from having to input all that family info again!

PowerMac G3 beige tower-OTHER, Mac OS 9.2.x

Posted on Jan 31, 2012 6:10 PM

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Posted on Jan 31, 2012 10:27 PM

Whew Mary, I feel your pain, but I think your only option is finding an older PC with a 5.25" drive, (likely free at GoodWill, etc), and trying to use that to repair or at least IMAGE the 5.25" floppy to an ISO/DMG... oh, is the Floppy HFS or FAT16?

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34 replies

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2012 11:16 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the offer of continuing help. Let me wrestle with the old G3 a little longer. If I really get stymied I may take you up on this. Meanwhile, thanks for the support.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Feb 3, 2012 10:08 AM in response to MaryRB

Might also see if there's a Mac User Group close, likely they could help tooo...

http://appleusergroupresources.com/?page_id=394

Jeff

Level 6

12,058 points

Feb 4, 2012 1:10 AM in response to MaryRB

"I think I got it: put the old hard drive into a different Mac?"

The suggestion to acquire an old Mac was made with the idea of installing the hard drive from your beige G3 in it. You previously indicated that you have a PowerPC iMac, an eMac, and an Intel iMac. Unfortunately, none of these computers is capable of accommodating a second internal hard drive, nor can the IDE/PATA hard drive from the beige G3 replace the internal hard drive in any of them and boot the computer. The beige G3 was the last of the Old World Architecture Power Macs, as all subsequent models were built with the New World Architecture. This means that the beige G3's hard drive cannot boot a newer "ROM-in-RAM" Power Mac, because the beige G3's System Folder lacks the Mac OS ROM file needed to boot either your iMac or eMac. This is why it was suggested that you purchase an IDE/PATA-to-USB adapter, to connect the beige G3's hard drive externally to a USB port on one of your newer Macs. I don't know that this would solve your problem, as it seems to me (in your other Topic) that it was determined that VirtualPC creates a "virtual" hard drive, the image of which is a single file stored on the computer's physical hard drive. A direct connection of the hard drive via the IDE/PATA-to-USB adapter will not reveal the contents of VirtualPC's imaged "virtual" hard drive, from which the G3 runs the Windows 3.0 environment. I think you should return to basic troubleshooting and get the beige G3 up and running again. Many Macs will have startup problems, if the internal battery on the motherboard is very weak or dead. It's a 3.6-volt ½AA lithium battery and is available from battery specialty retailers for $8 or less. Radio Shack carries a suitable replacement, but you could buy three of them elsewhere for the same $$ spent. If your beige G3 has been disconnected from an electrical outlet for an extended period of time, the battery is undoubtedly in need of replacement. It is also possible that the hard drive is having mechanical and/or electronic problems that prevent it from being recognized at startup. If this is the case, you may be left with few options. If the optical drive is functioning, I'd recommend booting the computer from the OS installer disk and running Disk First Aid to check the hard drive. If it finds and can correct any problems detected, you may be able to resume booting the G3 from the internal hard drive.

Feb 4, 2012 1:36 AM in response to Jeff

Great post by Jeff!

Could have used a few spaces here and there to make the text a bit more redable, though. 😉

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 24, 2012 1:15 PM in response to Jeff

Hi, Jeff. Thanks for your long detailed reply. I have been sick and therefore unable to work on this problem for the last few weeks. I want to give it one last shot before I throw up my hands in despair.

1) About the battery: would the computer even turn on if the battery was shot? It has been sitting unused for a few years but when I push the button it does try to start.

2) I have tried running Disk Repair but am getting the message "Cannot read from disk". When I ran Drive Set Up and tested the drive, I got the message "Unrecoverable error. Drive could not be fixed."I have a bad feeling that this means the hard drive is toast. Am I right or might there still be some hope?

If the drive is history, my next question may be moot but I'll include it anyway so I know I've tried everything.

3) As a possible side effect, the G3 isn't reconizing my external floppy drive (which works fine with my iMac). I do have a folder with the genealogy files on the G3. I can see it in my directory but it looks empty when I try to open it because the files were created in VirtualPC I can't copy it to a floppy now but would the IDE/PATA-to-USB adapter work to bring over just that folder? Or does the G3 have to be running for the adaptor to work?

Once again, I am very grateful to you and any others who may try to help me with this frustrating problem.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Feb 24, 2012 1:44 PM in response to MaryRB

1. The Battery can cause real strange startup problems.

2. Doesn't sound good, but not impossible a later Disk Repair tool could fix it or recover data from it.

3. No need for the G3 to be involved in any way with that adapter.

4. Sorry to hear about you being sick for so long. 😟

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 24, 2012 1:56 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the quick response!

1) So I should try replacing the battery? Is that hard to do?

2) I'm using the Disk Repair program from the OS 9 disk because that's what the G3 is running. Would an OS X repair program work?

3) How coudl the G3 not be involved, since that's where the files are?

4) Thanks for the sympathy. I'm feeling better but going back to this problem may make me sick again :-)

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Feb 24, 2012 2:13 PM in response to MaryRB

1. Pretty easy to replace & cheap from the right place.

I think this is the right one, but look for yours first...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2295

http://mac-batteries.com/

2. Possibly, but not sure on the very latest.

3. The files aren't on the G3, they're on the Hard Drive itself.

4. We must help you get well & stay that way! 😉

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 24, 2012 2:45 PM in response to BDAqua

It sounds like the adapter is going to be my best bet, but i really don't understand how it works. How do I see which files I want if the G3 isn't running? And if the drive is damaged, would I be able to get anything off of it?

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Feb 24, 2012 5:19 PM in response to MaryRB

Consider the Hard Drive like a VCR tape or DVD, it holds all the info, and can be taken out of the VCR or DVD Player & put into another one, the G3 holds no info or files of it's own, they're stored on the Hard Drive.

If the VCR dies you just pull the Tape out & put it in another VCR... movie still plays.

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 25, 2012 8:57 PM in response to BDAqua

I understand that the data is on the hard drive, which can be removed and placed into another "container". But if the drive is damaged would another "container" make any difference?

And I still don't understand how the adapter works. Would I use it between the hard drive while it's in the G3 and one of my iMacs, or would I have to move the drive to another computer?

Sorry I'm so dense about this. My ignorance of the underlying technology is showing.

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 25, 2012 9:19 PM in response to BDAqua

I just Googled the adapter and found out more about how it works.

1) Am I correct that I would have to remove the hard drive to use it?

2) Can I select to bring over only certain files/applications? There is a company called Apricorn that sells a kit including software but their site only talks about cloning an entire drive. I don't want or need to do that; I just need the FamilyTreeMaker app and files. The generic adapters on Amazon are cheaper but don't seem to come with instructions. e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B001OORMVQ

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Feb 25, 2012 9:55 PM in response to MaryRB

1. That would give many more options gor epairing, recovery, or transfering.

2. most likely we can, depends what happens on 1.

THe Amazon one looks good great... we dont need no eduation! 😉

If you get ot &pull the drive, connect it, then just report back... I feel good about this solution. 🙂

MaryRB Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 26, 2012 5:25 AM in response to BDAqua

OK, if you think a cheaper one will work, I'll go ahead and order from Amazon. I have a friend who used to have his own computer store who may be willing to help me pull the drive and connect it.

Since the cheap adapters aren't eligible for Amazon Prime free shipping it will probably take a while to get here. Which is OK, because I'm going into the hospital for surgery tomorrow. I'll be home by the end of the week but probably won't be able to get back to this right away.

I will definitely report back on how it goes. Meanwhile, many thanks again for sticking with me and all my questions. This community is truly awesome!

BDAqua

Level 10

239,345 points

Feb 26, 2012 11:07 AM in response to MaryRB

It sure looks like the cheaper one will work... wish I had some money, I'd buy a few of them at that price!

Our best wishes will be with you & your surgery... anxiously waiting...

How to transfer Windows 3 data from a G3 with a bad floppy drive