Transferring data from floppy disks using Kryoflux

Transferring data from floppy disks using the KryoFlux

Before you begin:

  • This workflow uses tools in Windows. If necessary, restart the Digital Archives Lab workstation and boot to the Windows hard drive. You can find instructions on how to do this here.
  • Make sure the Digital Archives’ Lab workstation is not connected to the internet. Unplug the yellow ethernet cord at the back of the computer.
  • As you unpack the KryoFlux, pay attention to the labels on the data cable and the KryoFlux enclosure. These will help ensure that the floppy disk drive and the KryoFlux are connected correctly.
  • As you are setting up the KryoFlux, avoid placing any drives on the metal shelves over the workstations.

Set-up instructions:

  1. Using the data cable, connect the KryoFlux to the correct floppy disk drive.

    • The data cable has three connectors: one for the KryoFlux; one for 3.5” floppy disk drives; and one for 5.25” floppy disk drives. Each connector on the cable is clearly labelled.
    • The data cable’s red wire signifies pin 1. When connecting the data cable to the KryoFlux, be sure to align the red wire with the Pin 1 label on thestored KryoFlux enclosure.

  2. Using the USB cable, connect the KryoFlux to the lab workstation.

Check that the associated driver is correct:

  1. In the Windows Search Box, type device manager and hit enter.
  2. From the list, select Universal Serial Bus Controllers. If you see KryoFlux Disk System listed here, you can skip to the next section.
  3. If you do not see KryoFlux Disk System listed, select Ports (COM & LPT).
  4. Right-click on Bossa Program Port.
  5. Select Update driver software.
  6. Select Browse my computer for driver software.
  7. Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
  8. At this stage you should see KryoFlux Disk System listed. Select it and hit Next. You should see the following confirmation message: Windows has sucessfully updated your driver software. Hit Close.

Complete KryoFlux set-up:

NOTE: All terminal commands are case-sensitive.

  1. Type cmd into the Windows Search Box to open a terminal window.

  2. Type the following command into the terminal window in order to navigate to the DTC folder and hit enter:

    cd ..\..\"Program Files (x86)"\kryoflux_3.00_windows\dtc

  3. Type the following command and hit enter

    dtc -c2

NOTE: The resulting prompt will likely say: Control command rejected by the device. CM: maxtrack = 0.

Alternate instructions:

  • On the desktop, locate the folder titled RunFiles.
  • Double-click to open, and locate the file pre-run.bat.
  • Double-click on pre-run.bat, which will open the command prompt and automatically run the above command.

  1. Ensure that the power cable is plugged in and connect the power adaptor to the back of the floppy disk drive.

    • The power adaptor has two connectors: the smaller one is for 3.5” floppy disk drives and the larger one is for 5.25” floppy disk drives. Both are clearly labelled.
    • When working with the 5.25” drive, in particular, be careful to make sure that the adaptor is properly aligned.
    • When disconnecting the adaptors, grip the white plastic piece and not the wires, as these are quite fragile and easily come loose if mishandled.
  2. Insert a floppy disk.

  3. Re-type the following command and hit enter:

    dtc -c2

NOTE: The resulting prompt will likely say something like: CM: maxtrack = 83.

Alternate instructions:

  • On the desktop, locate the folder titled RunFiles.
  • Double-click to open, and locate the file pre-run.bat.
  • Double-click on pre-run.bat, which will open the command prompt and automatically run the above command.

Capture stream files:

  1. Ensure that the Digital Archives hard drive dock is powered on.

  2. Type the following command and hit enter::

    dtc -p -fJ:\digitalArchives\diskImages\[collectionName]_diskImages\[MSSnumber_ID]\[MSSnumber_ID] -i0 -i4 -i9 -l8

For example

dtc -p -fJ:\digitalArchives\diskImages\Lomax_diskImages\785_01\785_01 -i0 -i4 -i9 -l8

NOTE: You may need to double check the drive letter associated with the Digital Archives hard drive dock, as it may not always be J:. If necessary, substitute the correct drive letter at the beginning of the file path.

  1. Imaging will begin. Progress will be logged in the terminal window.

Verify correct encoding format:

  1. Review the terminal output to determine which encoding format is correct:

    • Incorrect formats will register as unformatted.
    • The correct format will be listed as OK.
    • If MFM is the correct format, use -i4 in step 21.
    • If Apple DOS 400/800 is the correct format, use -i9 in step 21.
    • If neither format is correct, make a note of this and set disk aside for further review at a later date.

Capture correctly encoded disk image:

  1. Type the following command and hit enter

dtc -fJ:\digitalArchives\diskImages\[collectionName]_diskImages\[MSSnumber_ID]\[MSSnumber_ID] -i0 -fJ:\digitalArchives\diskImages\[collectionName]_diskImages\[MSSnumber_ID]\[MSSnumber_ID].img -i[4 or 9] -m1 -l8

For example

dtc -fJ:\digitalArchives\diskImages\Lomax_diskImages\785_01\785_01 -i0 -fJ:\digitalArchives\diskImages\Lomax_diskImages\785_01\785_01.img -i4 -m1 -l8

  1. Once imaging is complete, remove the floppy disk from the drive.
  2. Label the disk with its MSSnumber_ID. Be sure not to obscure any original labels.

Repeat for remaining floppy disks:

  1. Insert next floppy disk.
  2. Repeat from step 18.

Alternate instructions:

  • On the desktop, locate the folder titled RunFiles.
  • Double-click to open, and locate the file run.bat.
  • COPY the file into the [collectionName]_diskImages folder.
  • Navigate to the [collectionName]_diskImages folder in the command prompt.
  • In the command prompt type run.bat [MSSnumber_ID] and hit enter.

This runs both command above in one step. Once it runs, swap out the disks, hit the up arrow and edit the command to go to the next disk number.

Time-saving tip: Use the up arrow to page through commands that you have previously run in the terminal window. Once you have found the correct command, you can edit it as needed before running it again.

Disconnect the KryoFlux:

  1. Click the Safely remove hardware icon and select KryoFlux Disk System.
  2. Once it is safe to remove the KryoFlux, carefully disconnect the power (taking care not to pull on the wires), then the USB cable, and finally the data cable.
  3. Replace all components in the KryoFlux box and return to the cabinet.

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