Fairlight - how to copy from a floppy to the SD card

I'm using a ancient Fairlight IIx with a new SD card reader.

I have a few old floppy disks which need to be backed up onto a SD card.

Here are some pics of the flash drive upgrade:

https://djjondent.blogspot.com/2019/04/fairlight-flash-drive-upgrade.html

If your IIx hasn't been upgraded, I highly recommend it.

 

Now before you do anything you'll need to pick a blank floppy disk image.

The card reader I purchased came with lots of software including a "virgin folder" which contains blank disc images. They are named 6800_1 to 6800_100

First, make a copy of one using a PC and transfer it to a new folder on your SD card. (I don't have a Mac, but I suspect it will work with Apples too).

I like to do place the file in its own folder so I don’t accidentally delete existing files on another disk image

Next

1. boot the CMI using combination 3

     + Fairlight - SD card switch combinations

(left switch is down, right is up)

2. Place the disk you want to copy in the 8-­‐inch drive.

    (on my machine, its on the left).

   Ignore the switches in the pic below. 

3. Start the CMI with OS version V4_C5_R1_20 on Flash Drive B

    (if you happen to already be in Drive A, you will need to change it to B).

4. Once the IIx has booted and is displaying Page 1, type "P2".

    You will enter Page 2 and should see the contents of the disk you wish to copy.

5. Type [T,*] <return>

     This will begin the process of copying the entire disk.

6. You’ll next see the following message appear: [PLACE FILE DISK IN LH DRIVE]. 

     

     This means that the IIx wants you to select a 6800 disk image on Flash Drive B.

      ....... instead of the OS image (V4_C5_R1_20)

7. Find the folder (still on drive B) that contains the blank disc image you picked earlier.

     Once you select the disk image on the flash drive, the transfer 

     process will start immediately. 

8. Once the transfer process has completed the following message will appear:
    [ERROR:REPLACE SYSTEM DISK]

9. The transfer process is now complete.

    Re boot the IIx using switch combination 2 (no floppies) .

    You should now be able to access these files from your SD card.

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