Transferring Amiga Connectivity Software Files from PC to Amiga

TOPIC

Amiga-PC data sharing software is great to move data between the two environments, but getting the software itself on an Amiga with no internet and no PC file system can be a chicken and egg situation.

DISCUSSION

The Amiga Explorer networking software, like all data sharing programs, contains one Amiga executable file which must be copied to the Amiga in order for the PC-Amiga networking software to run. This is the "server" that the Windows side "client" talks to, and consists of two files, named "AExplorer" (the Amiga program file) and "AExplorer.info" (the Amiga icon file for "AExplorer"), which by default are stored in "C:\Program Files\Cloanto\Amiga Explorer\Amiga". In order to use Amiga Explorer on both the PC and an Amiga, these two files must be copied to the Amiga, and "AExplorer" must be started with a double-click (or copying it to "WBStartup", or adding an entry to the Startup-Sequence, which are all options described in the documentation).

As explained in the documentation which comes with the software, we recommend the following methods to transfer the files:

• If you are going to use Amiga Explorer over a null-modem serial cable, right-click on the Amiga Explorer icon on the Desktop, select Setup, and follow the instructions to have the files automatically copied over the serial cable. Even an old 1.2 or 1.3 Workbench floppy disk can be used to boot the Amiga.
• If you have Workbench 2.1 or higher, or if you otherwise have a DOS file system such as Dos-2-Dos or CrossDos, you can copy the files to the floppy disk on the PC, and then read them on the Amiga. The "Copy to Floppy" command in the Amiga Explorer application folder in the Windows Start menu, or, in Amiga Forever, the equivalent "Copy to Floppy" option of the MenuBox launcher automatically copy the Amiga files to the PC floppy. After the files have been copied, it is important to make sure that these file names are restored, if they were modified by the copy process (if the Amiga does not support long DOS file names). Some Amiga computers do not support the PC's high-density floppy disks, in which case you need to use an Amiga floppy disk, and format it on the PC at 720 KB (not 1.44 MB).

The first method, which is pretty amazing if you are familiar with the technical difficulties involved, used to be considered impossible before its implementation in Amiga Explorer 3.5. No terminal, PC file system, Amiga Basic, or other additional software are required by this process.

If you have an Amiga with a CD-ROM drive, and acquired Amiga Explorer as part of the Amiga Forever CD-ROM, you can find the files for the Amiga side of Amiga Explorer in the "Amiga" directory on the CD.

Also see:

• 3-105 - Null-Modem Serial Cables