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Feb 29, 2008 13:29:30 GMT
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OK, this is on topic, but is computer-related so I thought I'd ask here... Basically, I need to transfer the diagnostics software to run the BMW ECU reader I've got coming, from one laptop to another. Now, the laptop I want it to go on is OLD. Like, Pentium 75Mhz... retro! It has no CD drive, just a floppy drive. It does, however, have the serial port needed to hook up to the car... which is why I want to use that one. The file is 26Mb Zipped. So obv won't go onto a floppy disc. I'm going to unzip it and see what the separate file sizes are, but I'm betting that none of them are under 1.44MB or whatever a floppy holds. To add to the problems, the old laptop does not have any WinZip software on it. In the past, I've transfered Megasquirt software onto this laptop by using WinRAR self-unpacker but I can't for the life of me remember how it was done! Plus I think the MegaSquirt software was much smaller. Can anyone solve this puzzle?!
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Last Edit: Feb 29, 2008 15:48:53 GMT by BenzBoy
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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Feb 29, 2008 13:38:54 GMT
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Has it got a usb port, or even better, a network port?
Other wise, you need to create a self extracting archive of the files using WinZIP / WinRAR.
If you are still struggling, come over this weekend and we will get it on somehow...
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,858
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Feb 29, 2008 14:19:09 GMT
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Serial port to serial port hook up? I've done this the the past but it was a long time ago
Network port if it has one would be easier
Assumes no USB?
Oh and if I wasn't keeping the retro laptop I'd pull the hard driver out of it - mount it in a portable drive case and usb it all onto your new laptop
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Feb 29, 2008 15:26:27 GMT
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Thanks guys! Rysz - that's really good of you. I think I'm away this weekend but if I'm still stuck at a later date maybe we could arrange something? Just dug the old laptop out and dusted it off... It has no USB ports. It has a 9-pin D-socket. It has a 15-Pin D-socket (for a monitor I think?) A 25-Pin long plug (I assume this one's the serial port). And two round plugs that look like a mouse would plug in there. Oh, and a really wide, thin socket that looks as if a wide ribbon cable plugs in there. Sorry for the non-technical terms, I'm a bit of a compu-tard ;D It's equipped with Windows 95, and has a massive 750-odd Mb hard drive. ;D ;D ;D I just unzipped the BMW software and most of the files are under 10Mb, so that might make things more manageable... maybe... ;D
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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Feb 29, 2008 15:34:01 GMT
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If I can get a hard drive, I have just been given a 200Mhz powerhouse with a fubared one, it has a cdrom and a serial port so maybe.
Otherwise, thinking about it, I have an adaptor and can just shove the stuff onto the hdd when it is out of the machine...
Most evenings I am free after about 7ish (when kids are asleep-ish)
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Feb 29, 2008 15:48:27 GMT
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Just found the system requirements for the software: Ar$e. Looks like the laptop is too "retro" The laptop I'm using now (which has the software on it) has XP, but no serial port. The old laptop has a serial port, but Win95! Argh! ;D ...maybe I'll try finding Win98 on a... erm... completely legal file sharing site... Apparently you can use the gizmo with serial port to USB adaptor but you lose a lot of functionality and it isn't recommended
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Last Edit: Feb 29, 2008 15:49:56 GMT by BenzBoy
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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Feb 29, 2008 15:59:31 GMT
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Right then, Should be able to fit win 98 on that drive and if installed in my retro laptop, we can go from there...
Alternatively, get a pcmcia serial card for the laptop thus negating the need for an old laptop, I will dig around in my mountain of spares and see if I have anything suitable...
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Feb 29, 2008 16:05:36 GMT
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Star! I'd prefer if I could use the old laptop as a) it already has Megasquirt software on there so can be a dedicated "garage computer", and b) the other laptop isn't mine, so can't take it away / fiddle with it. I changed the thread title so it's a bit more informative... and maybe some people might take "computer geek" the wrong way! I meant it tongue-in-cheek...
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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Feb 29, 2008 16:13:58 GMT
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Leave it with me over the weekend and I will see if I can sort anything out for you mate.
I know enough geeks to be able to get my hands on most things, even if its only on a temporary basis.
btw, Win 98, fully patched uses about 550MB so will not leave a lot of room for software and you will need a cdrom to get it onto the pc in the first place.
Will see what I can do...
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Feb 29, 2008 23:48:04 GMT
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That's excellent Rysz! I'm a bit limited travel-wise with the Benz being off the road at the moment (no laptops needed there!). But you're on a bus route so I should be able to sort something out if necessary. I might need to get a "new" laptop, but a Win98 equipped laptop isn't exactly a desirable thing so I'll probably be able to pick one up really cheap if I really need to. To be honest I'm quite looking forward to getting into this ECU jiggery-pokery
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