Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Transferring data from word processors ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Transferring data from word processors
Category: Computers > Software
Asked by: julius46-ga
List Price: $50.00
Posted: 04 Aug 2002 18:23 PDT
Expires: 03 Sep 2002 18:23 PDT
Question ID: 50632
How can I transfer data on floppy disc from a Brother word processor
to a computor with Windows XP?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Transferring data from word processors
Answered By: ldcdc-ga on 04 Aug 2002 21:31 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hi,

I'm sorry to say this but I have good and bad news for you.

The good news is that it is indeed possible to transfer the
information from those disks to your PC.

The bad news is that is might cost you some money.

The problem basically consists in the fact that you don't have a
program to read the files written by your machine.

If you want to learn more about why you cannot read the information on
your disks directly please visit this page on PCIN.net:
http://www.pcin.net/archive/2001/20010117.shtml

Go to the middle of the page where you'll find a question similar to
the one you asked.

Now here are the solutions I found (at the end of the answer is the
best site I found):

1. Use the installation disk(s) that you received with your word
processor.

Read any file with the extension .txt or .doc on those disks or read
the "User's Manual" if you have one to find out if your machine has
the ability to write the info in ASCII format or if you were provided
with software that turns the info into a PC-friendly format.

If so,  follow the advice (or ask for support) on how to enable your
machine to do this. The disk(s) should become usable with PC programs.

If you don't have anything helpful on your disk, then ask for support
at http://www.brother.com.

2. Buy a program that does this kind of job.

Here are the ones I found:

Wordport - it's 149$ but you can  download a demo version first to see
if it does the job you want (they say it does it):
http://acii.com/ or http://www.acii.com/wpt.htm

Windows Conversion Program -  75$
http://www.macdisk.com/conven.php3

Conversions Plus - it's 70$ and I found no trial version :(  Also I'm
not very sure it can be of help in your particular case. Use it only
as a last option, but not before sending them an email and asking if
their program can do the job you need:
http://www.dataviz.com/

3. Hire someone to do it for you (it's a lot cheaper if you don't have
many disks)

Luxsoft - about 10$ for each disk 
http://www.luxsoft.demon.co.uk/lux/dconv.html

Ask Chaz (from that discussion I recommended earlier) if he still uses
that email address.


Important Last Minute Information! 

As always, after writing an answer I searched for some more
information that I might've missed. And I found this on the Brother
Company site:

" Q.   Can I use the files from my daisy wheel word processor in a PC?

A.  Some Brother word processors (720k and 1.44MB disk drive models)
allow you to convert your files to ASCII format. Most PC word
processing programs can import an ASCII formatted file. In addition,
many of our models come with PC/WP Conversion Software. This software
was provided to you on disk with your other program files when you
purchased your unit.(720K and 1.44MB disk drive models) It is called
the Brother Conversion Software program. You can load this file onto
the hard drive of your PC and convert your Brother files into most of
the major PC word processing programs. In addition, you can convert
your Spreadsheet files into Lotus(R) 1-2-3(R) format.

Sorry, but files stored on 240K disk drive models cannot be converted
on your Brother unit. The 240K format is not compatible with PC
formats.
However, many of our customers have had success with converting all
different file formats to and from Pcs through Pivar, a company in
Illinois who offers conversion services. You can contact them at
1-800-CONVERT. "


You can fin this quote at
http://www.brother.com/usa/wp/faq/faq-dw.html.



Pivar seems to know everything about converting files to other
formats.

Here's the list of Brother products with file types they can handle:



BROTHER EM-100 
BROTHER EM-1000 
BROTHER EM-1050 (R/O) 
BROTHER EM-1050D (R/O) 
BROTHER EM-1050DS (R/O) 
BROTHER EM-2000 
BROTHER EM-2050D (R/O) 
BROTHER EM-350 
BROTHER EM-350E 
BROTHER EM-721FX 
BROTHER EM-811 (R/O) 
BROTHER EM-811FX 
BROTHER EM-850FX 
BROTHER EZ 3000 
BROTHER FB 100 (R/O) 
BROTHER FB 300 (R/O) 
BROTHER FX-3 
BROTHER II 
BROTHER PDP-100J 
BROTHER PDP-300CJ 
BROTHER PDP-350CJ 
BROTHER PERFECTYPE 
BROTHER PN-4400 
BROTHER PN-5700DS 
BROTHER PN-8500MDS 
BROTHER PN-8700MDS 
BROTHER PN-8800FXB 
BROTHER WHISPERWRITER 
BROTHER WP-1 (R/O) 
BROTHER WP-100J 
BROTHER WP-1350DS 
BROTHER WP-1400D 
BROTHER WP-1450DS 
BROTHER WP-1500D 
BROTHER WP-1600D 
BROTHER WP-1700MDS 
BROTHER WP-1800 
BROTHER WP-200 
BROTHER WP-200 STM 
BROTHER WP-2200 
BROTHER WP-230B 
BROTHER WP-2400 
BROTHER WP-2410 
BROTHER WP-2410DS 
BROTHER WP-2450DS 
BROTHER WP-2500Q 
BROTHER WP-2600Q 
BROTHER WP-2800Q 
BROTHER WP-300CJ 
BROTHER WP-330MDS 
BROTHER WP-335B 
BROTHER WP-3400 
BROTHER WP-3410 
BROTHER WP-3440 
BROTHER WP-350CJ 
BROTHER WP-3550 
BROTHER WP-3600D 
BROTHER WP-3650D 
BROTHER WP-3900DS 
BROTHER WP-500 (R/O) 
BROTHER WP-510 (R/O) 
BROTHER WP-55 (R/O) 
BROTHER WP-5500DS 
BROTHER WP-5550MDS+ 
BROTHER WP-5600MDS 
BROTHER WP-5750DS 
BROTHER WP-5850MDS 
BROTHER WP-5900MDS 
BROTHER WP-6400J 
BROTHER WP-650 (R/O) 
BROTHER WP-6500J 
BROTHER WP-660 
BROTHER WP-660E 
BROTHER WP-6700CJ 
BROTHER WP-7000J 
BROTHER WP-700D 
BROTHER WP-7400J 
BROTHER WP-75 
BROTHER WP-7500J 
BROTHER WP-7550J 
BROTHER WP-760D 
BROTHER WP-760D+ 
BROTHER WP-7700CJ 
BROTHER WP-7800J 
BROTHER WP-80 
BROTHER WP-800MDS 
BROTHER WP-85 
BROTHER WP-90 
BROTHER WP-900MDS 
BROTHER WP-95 
BROTHER ZX3000 

And here's their website's address: http://pivar.com. I'm sure they
are the ultimate solution for your problem. Contact them by phone or
by e-mail as you like.


I hope this answers your question. Before rating the answer or asking
for a refund please post a clarify request. I might be able to satisfy
your request.

Regards,

ldcdc-ga
julius46-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars

Comments  
Subject: Re: Transferring data from word processors
From: digitalis-ga on 09 Aug 2004 17:33 PDT
 
Just a quicky thanx, to idcdc, for that pivar hit.

I, too, am in a brother quandary, with numerous disks that the old
machine will no longer read, but which are formatted such that nothing
else can read them.

These PIVAR folx are very helpful and agreeable--and their prices ($42
per disk) are quite reasonable, considering what's involved.

Best,
digitalis

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy