What is the best way to move files from my modern desktop to my 486?

[Chuck(G)]

But this is about 486 class machines which are generally more flexible.

My post was in response to Jim's post just above mine. Yes, if you have a 486, there are many options for networking.

 

[MikeS]

My post was in response to Jim's post just above mine. Yes, if you have a 486, there are many options for networking.

The OP's original post is asking about connecting to "old PCs and compatibles" after all (but he seems to have moved on ;-) )

 

[Unknown_K]

For old PCs Ethernet is the way to go. For 8 bit systems you either can connect their floppy drives to a PC via adapter or just use a serial connection (modem to modem if needed).

I should have some original software coming for Wildcat BBS (v 3.5.2 I think) so I can test out how easy a BBS transfer is between different machines.

 

[Stone]

Lantastic Z provides near ethernet connectivity without the need for any ethernet cards. You can use serial, parallel or modem connections.

 

[PeterNC]

There are 8 BIT NICs that support BNC/COAX that you can connect to UTP/RJ45 through a HUB that bridges both. I have that setup. Works great and looks cool: lots of lights going on / off all the time.

 

[tezza]

I have three PCs. Modern laptop running Win7. Next a P4 running XP. The P4 has wireless internet, an RS-232, and USB . Finally a P2 running Win98 (or straight boot to DOS). I use this latter machine for making boot disks or when I want a strict MS-DOS environment.

To get files from my laptop to the P2, I normally use Dropbox or a USB stick to get the files on the P4. This is networked by direct cable (RS232) to the P2 when the latter is running Win 98. Hence I can transfer the files.

Tez

 

[MikeS]

Lantastic Z provides near ethernet connectivity without the need for any ethernet cards. You can use serial, parallel or modem connections.

And then there are the remote control packages (Carbon Copy, PCAnywhere, etc.), again, depending on what your configuration is...

Somebody (not I) should compile a list of the various transfer methods and the respective software options and requirements; I bet you'd easily hit 50 or more...

 

[Chuck(G)]

Good idea, Mike--but you should also include information if the other end of the connection can be running Windows 8, 64-bit XP, etc. with nothing but USB ports available.

 

[Gribnitz]

The OP's original post is asking about connecting to "old PCs and compatibles" after all (but he seems to have moved on ;-) )

Nah, still lurking and absorbing. All pretty confusing to someone just jumping in, but eventually I will need to do something more advanced than using CD ROM's to move files around.

 

[MikeS]

Good idea, Mike--but you should also include information if the other end of the connection can be running Windows 8, 64-bit XP, etc. with nothing but USB ports available.

If you've got or don't mind getting and installing an Ethernet NIC/PCMCIA/PCcard/RS-232 or parallel adapter and software then that's probably the most compatible at the server end, with a compatible terminal program and USB<>RS-232 or Bluetooth probably a little cheaper and simpler.

But that's why I keep saying that the best (or even possible) method(s) depend on the configuration, i.e. hardware, ports, OS, etc. at both ends; so many variables, not even counting personal preference ;-)

I kinda visualize a large matrix of different configs of server and client with appropriate software/methods at the intersections (and lots of *Note: 's ;-) ).

 

[MikeS]

Nah, still lurking and absorbing. All pretty confusing to someone just jumping in, but eventually I will need to do something more advanced than using CD ROM's to move files around.

If there's a serial port on your server then your null modem cable is all you need. Me, I find the C64/VIC20/PET/Amiga file transfer options even more confusing... ;-)

 

[creepingnet]

Install Windows For Workgroups 3.11, or 95/98(SE), and setup to use TCP/IP (TCPIP32B.EXE), setup some file shares in File Manager, then on your modern Windows Box, do the following:

Win7
START->RUN
Type in \\machinename
The shares should appear in an explorer window

Win8.x
Start Screen
Type \\machinename
The shares should appear in the window

That's how I do it, I do ALL of the file management on my 486 from my Windows 7 64-bit machine. Also, having this means you can connect the machine direct to broadband and have broadband internet on it as well - which I use for IRC and sometimes directly getting 486-related programs from sites. This is the best way for me as I have a huge HDD (8GB) in my 486 and I have tons of games installed for DOS/Win3.x/Win9x.

 

[smeezekitty]

^ Thats what I do. And you can also store large files on your main machine and access it from the 486

And a bit off topic but if you want to try out win 3.11 on the internet, opera 3.60 works fairly well