Disc Conversion

DATA CONVERSION SERVICE

PCW files to CD

Zip Drive files to CD

3.5" Disc Drive files to CD

LS120 Drive files to CD

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PCW Disc conversions from LocoScript 3" and 3.5" discs to

Plain Text so it can be read on Microsoft Word on PC.

3.5" discs or CD format

for only £6 per disc!

The humble Amstrad PCW has been around since 1984 and over 200,000 were sold in the UK alone. Though superseded by PC's for many applications, the good old PCW is still favoured by many people for its easy to use LocoScript word processor and friendly keyboard layout

Yes, it IS possible to convert all your old LocoScript files (on 3" or 3.5" disc) to plain text files so that they can be read on a PC by programs like WordStar, Microsoft Word or Lotus WordPro !

Whilst some experts suggest using an ASCII conversion system to convert your files from PCW to PC format. ASCII conversions not only means that you firstly have to go through and save each and every file in ASCII format, it means that you loose all your formatting, including the bold characters and italics, as well as any special characters like foreign accents.

Others might suggest that you invest in expensive special cables and software to link your PCW to your PC. Paying over £50 for special PC software and then trying to get to grips with all the complex and time consuming procedures is just not worthwhile for the odd couple of discs ... and totally inappropriate for those who only own a PCW and just want to get their work published. Moreover, both these options pre-suppose that your PCW is still running. Often the reason for replacing the old faithful PCW is that it finally ceased working!

My competitively priced and fully confidential disc transfer service aims to keep all your formatting, and the resulting PC files can be tailored to suit most Windows-based word processors.

Disc Formats

My PCW conversion system will accept :

single (CF2) or double density (CF2DD) 3" discs from the PCW 8256/8512/9512

3.5" discs from all types of PCW, including High Density discs accidentally used on 9512+'s!

Files should be in Locoscript 1, 2 or 3 PCW format - the version you are running appears in the centre of the initial LocoScript screen display when it's starting up. If you have never upgraded from the discs originally supplied by Amstrad with the PCW, that's fine (the version will probably be 1.20 on the 8256/8512, 2.11/2.16 or 2.29 on the 9512, 2.31 on the 9512+, and 1.50 on the 9256 and PCW10).

Discs in LocoScript 4 and Locoscript PC format cannot be accepted however you may be able to save all the files in Loco 3 format by LocoScript 4.

The conversion format is plain text as this can not only be read by Word 6 under Windows 3.1 and all later versions of Microsoft Word (95/97/2000) running under Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000 but also Wordpad (amongst the "Accessories" in Windows 95/98/2000) and by Apple Macs used by a number publishers etc.

I have a very small quantity of unused CF2 3" discs at £1.50 each

A few Re-formatted CF2 3" discs are also available, at £1.00 each

Also disc conversions from WordStar 3.5" discs to Wordstar for Windows,

Word for Windows 95/97/2000

and Lotus WordPro PC formats

for only £6 per disc!

If you have upgraded your personal computer and no longer have;

A Zip Drive

A 3.5" Disc Drive

A LS120 Drive

Data conversions for these formats are also available for only £6 per disc!

Conversions from WordStar;Word for Windows 95/97/2000 or Lotus WordPro PC formats
to any of the following formats;
Wordstar for Windows, Microsoft Word and Lotus WordPro
.... for only £5.00 per disc!

Costs and Turnround

The conversion price is £6 per complete disc All Converted data is usually supplied on one CD

The conversion service is totally confidential and I aim to undertake the work within 10 working days of receipt.

For Non-UK residents, I will accept currency notes to the equivalent value in US Dollars, Australian Dollars or Euros. No foreign cheques please as I have to pay bank charges for banks to negotiate settlement and I can exchange currency notes without charge

If you wish to place an order for any of the above items or have any enquiries, please e-mail me

djbarnes@hotmail.com

The procedure for sending discs

For Amstrad users - If you have access to a working PCW, please make a copy of each of the discs you wish to be converted then verify the results (using either DISCKIT or LocoScipt 2/3) and send me the copies; you keep the originals. If you do not know how to copy or verify discs, or cannot copy them, mark the discs 'MASTER COPY' .

ALL PC and Amstrad Users

Please clearly number (or name) the discs

Pack up the discs securely, preferably in an anti-static bag or cardboard container to keep them together and preferably NOT in their plastic cases (as they invariably get broken in the post) then pop them in a "Jiffy" padded bag. Please include a Stamped Self Addressed Envelope (this will be used to return the PC disc(s) to you), and a slip giving your telephone number, e-mail address (if you have one),

Please remember to send any money / cheque (made payable to David J Barnes) with your discs.

Post the package through the normal postal service, (there is no need to pay out extra for registered or recorded delivery) addressed to:

David J Barnes c/o 148 Parkinson Street, Burnley, Lancashire BB11 3LL

If I encounter any reading problems with the discs I will contact you by telephone or e-mail to discuss options

Should I not be able to convert the discs, i.e. if they are corrupted or damaged etc the discs will be returned . Every effort will be made to extract data from discs

The files are converted (with the file names unchanged) to a CD which will contain all your numbered or named files corresponding to the PCW numbers or names.

Your original PCW CF2 / PC discs are mailed back to you along with the your new converted files on CD