Archiving Old Software

[dw85745]

Like most I have lot of old software that came on 5 1/4, 3 1/2 floppy, etc.
I'd like to put it all on CD and wondering the best approach.
Though I would convert each disk into an ISO image, then copy that image to CD under its own directory.
For example:
App-Floppy1
App-Floppy2
etc.

This leaves the question if at some future date I want to install the software can it be:
1) Installed from the ISO residing on the CD, or
2) Do I need to copy Image back to a floppy which in that case I will also need to retain hardware.

Any suggestions whether this is a good approach or whether is a better alternative?

[JuggaloBrotha]

What I would do is read each floppy into it's own folder (most could probably be dumped into the same folder, it depends on the program) then you could even just zip using WinRar, 7-Zip, or WinZip and keep it that way, or if you must turn it into an ISO there are numerous ISO-making programs out there, Nero 8 and newer, MagicISO, PowerISO, to name a few. As for reading the ISO at a later time, you could always burn it to a cd/dvd or you could install a virtual cd/dvd program, Daemon Tools is my favorite virtual cd/dvd software & it's free, where you simply mount the ISO (or other cd/dvd image file) in a virtual drive and windows recognizes it as if it's a real cd or dvd disc.

[dw85745]

What I would do is read each floppy into it's own folder (most could probably be dumped into the same folder, it depends on the program)

Doesn't just copying files raise issues of:
1) Overwriting files if same name on multiple disks.
2) Inability to install the software as a file copy would loose OS key files

I have heard you can use XXCopy (is this what your suggesting?) instead of of making an ISO file?

Since it is ISO don't get where the proprietary comes in as ISO s/b a standard. Maybe they've extended it?
but my understanding a lot of the paid CD programs have their own proprietary ISO format?
Willl look at Daemon, I assume similar to Open Source VM-Ware?

[Nightwalker83]

Doesn't just copying files raise issues of:
1) Overwriting files if same name on multiple disks.
2) Inability to install the software as a file copy would loose OS key files

Well, you would ofcourse create a root folder for the program then sub directories for each disk that make up the data. No overwriting would take place.

[JuggaloBrotha]

Doesn't just copying files raise issues of:
1) Overwriting files if same name on multiple disks.
2) Inability to install the software as a file copy would loose OS key files

I have heard you can use XXCopy (is this what your suggesting?) instead of of making an ISO file?

Since it is ISO don't get where the proprietary comes in as ISO s/b a standard. Maybe they've extended it?
but my understanding a lot of the paid CD programs have their own proprietary ISO format?
Willl look at Daemon, I assume similar to Open Source VM-Ware?

Well, you would ofcourse create a root folder for the program then sub directories for each disk that make up the data. No overwriting would take place.

Yep, that's what I was getting at.

[dw85745]

Thanks for feedback.
Guess I know my options.

[Nightwalker83]

Ah, the good ol' days of the Floppy Disk so many memories. Pity, I no longer have those Floppy Disks so many great programs and games.

[JuggaloBrotha]

Ah, the good ol' days of the Floppy Disk so many memories. Pity, I no longer have those Floppy Disks so many great programs and games.

I still have a bunch of programs on 3.5" disks and even some on a few 5.25" disks too. Saddly, I haven't had a single floppy drive in 10 years now, I doubt any of the data on any of the disks is still in tact, but without a disk drive I have no way to find out. I barely use cd/dvd's anymore either since I've been using Daemon Tools to make & read ISO image files since 2003 as well.