I have some old Apple //e 5 1/4" disks which have some text files on
them (some programs I wrote in BASIC when I was a kid) and I'd like to
get them somehow. I already have an Apple //e emulator that I could
use to run the programs if I had them, I just need a way to get those
files. I still have access to the Apple //e and I could get access to
a present-day Mac (I'm a PC user, but I have friends who use Macs.)

I've seen a couple documents on this like:
http://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/MiscInfo/MSDos/msdos2pdos

However, it sounds like there would be a lot of hard-to-find hardware
I would have to buy. For instance, on that page it says "There's the
IIe Emulation Card that fits into the LC, LC II, LC III, Performa 4000
and the Color Classic". However, it appears that I'd need to buy one
of those systems, that IIe Emulation Card, a 5 1/4" drive (unless it
takes the same drive that the Apple //e uses), and I'd end up with
files on that machine. I'd still have to buy a network card of some
type for that machine which would allow me to transfer the files over
the network to a present-day machine. That's a lot of hardware that's
going to be hard to find and will probably be quite expensive.

Isn't there an easier way? It mentions using a null modem cable. Could
I get one of those for an Apple //e and transfer stuff directly to a
PC or a present-day Mac? If so, where would I get a null modem cable
for an Apple //e and what software would I need to make use of it?

Greetings mxnmatch!

If you go with a solution that requires a null modem cable, then you
do not need a cable specifically designed for the IIe.  It would be a
standard null modem cable.

I recommend first reading through the first part of this page, the
section entitled "How do I transfer files between my Apple and a PC or
Mac?":
"Hardware & Transfers"
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2T1TCOM.html

As you will read, the best method they recommend is to use a null
modem cable between a IIe and a PC or Mac.  Note though that the
PC/Mac will have to have a serial port.  iMacs do not have a serial
port so if you were trying this with an iMac you'd need to get a
USB-to-serial adapter (Keyspan makes one).  It may be easier to do
this method with an older Mac or with a PC.

Additionally, each computer will need to have a basic
telecommunications program on it.

The above link also describes a number of other methods, some of which
might work better in your specific situation.

Here are a few other solutions I found in a newsgroup:

"You can print to a disk file which is ASCII test and then send to a
PC over
a Null modem cable.  The null modem adapter is available at Radio
Shack for
around $10, then you can use any Mac to modem cable on a IIGS.  I have
a
null modem cable connected to my PC via 9-pin serial port and use the
Hyper
Terminal program on the PC and Seven Hills Spectrum on the GS.  Then I
use
Z-Modem to transfer files and the DOS Edit to load & Save the file. 
This
will convert the CR/LF on the PC.  It's a lot cheaper than the 
Crossworks
package, but you don't get the formatting with the transfer."
above from"Subject: Re: Apple transfer to W95 PC":
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&th=5c5f9ae909482d43&seekm=7frlac%249ra%241%40nntp2.atl.mindspring.net&frame=off

"Try finding a used Apple IIGS with both 5.25 and 3.5
drives.  The IIGS can write Mac HFS disks of the
800k format using its standard drive, so it can do
the transfer between IIe and Mac disks....The text files can be read
using TeachText on the Mac."
"Subject: Re: Retreiving files from Apple IIe disks":
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&selm=19991108011919.01261.00003178%40ng-xb1.aol.com

The USENET newsgroup comp.sys.apple2 seems to have many helpful people
on it.  You can browse or search through the newsgroup via the link
below.  It's possible that via the newsgroup you could even locate
someone who would be able to easily transfer the files for you:
comp.sys.apple2
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=comp.sys.apple2

Additionally, the link at the very bottom of this message will let you
view some newsgroups threads, many of which involve transferring files
from a IIe to a newer computer.

Also useful:
"Apple II Frequently Asked Questions":
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html

I hope this information is helpful.  If you would like for me to
clarify any part of my answer or further research your question,
please let me know before issuing a rating.  Thanks!


leep-ga


some search strategies:

"apple IIe" transfer "text files"
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=%22apple+IIe%22+transfer+%22text+files%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8

---

Clarification of Answer by leep-ga on 20 Nov 2002 00:25 PST

The IIGS supports a HD.  I don't know if the one you purchased has one
though.
"How difficult is it to add a hard drive to my IIGS?"
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2HDNSCSI.html#001

You can even get a SCSI interface card for the IIgs.  Some people then
connect an external hard drive or even a Zip disk.

If your IIGS comes with System 6.0.1, then you will be able to access
HFS FST (File System Translater) disks with it.  This will allow you
to transfer files between a Mac and IIgs on HFS diskettes.   On the
Mac you should be able to format Mac HFS (standard) 800k DS/DD 3.5"
disk and the IIgs can read and write it if you have the HFS FST
installed.  (Note: one site mentioned that if any files or folders
have a long file name or a tilde character, the disk will appear blank
and be unusable to the IIgs.)  Apparently PCs can not easily read such
disks.

You can get disk images of the GS/OS 6.0.1 system on a number of
sites.  The site listed below has it, for example.

Most online documentation about transferring files between the two is
about transferring from a PC/Mac to a IIgs/IIe.  Or transferring
binary files from the older Apples.   In theory it sounds like it will
be easier to transfer text files off of the IIe/IIgs.

Some basic information:
"Apple II Beginner's Guide":
http://gabrielmorales.net/Apple2/

"How can the PC open and read Mac disks yet
not support Prodos/GSOS?":
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&th=54564e09b2f3abfb&rnum=1

IIGS is also covered in the comp.sys.apple2 newsgroups:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=comp.sys.apple2

Thanks! I didn't know about the Apple IIgs method. I just purchased an
Apple IIgs on ebay which has 3.5" and 5.25" drives. I'm assuming that
"Mac HFS" disks can be read by any present day Mac that has a 3.5"
drive. Is that true? Does the Apple IIgs have a hard drive? If not
than what software would I need to copy files from the 5.25" to the
3.5" drive? Can I use any 3.5" disks (for instance, unformatted 3.5"
disks that I still have for my PC) and format them on the IIgs?

Thanks! Maybe I'll be able to get those files now.