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Subject:
From:
Kenneth Alan Boyd Ramsay <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 25 Oct 1998 03:41:06 -0500
Content-Type:
TEXT/PLAIN
Parts/Attachments:
TEXT/PLAIN (63 lines)
>
> A friend has a Bondwell 286 portable computer (made in 1991 according to
> the FCC ID).  The display gave up the ghost.  He has all of his formulas
> and solutions to his laboratory experiments on the hard drive.  I am
> assuming that the drive is either a MFM or RLL type.  The computer has a
> video output connector on the rear, but it is identified as an RGB
> output.  The system will turn on but he cannot "see" anything.  If a
> monitor could be connected to it, he could then copy all of his data to
> floppies and put it on his home computer until he gets a new laptop.
>
> But since it is a RGB output, I don't think it can drive the more common
> standard monitor.
>
> I thought of taking the drive out, but before I crack the case, I want
> to know if that is a good approach or a last ditch effort.
>
> Looks like Bondwell is not on the web (was a Hong Kong company)
>
> Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
>
> --
> Jean Bourvic :>))
> ------------------------------

You could get a pile of empty, formatted, floppies and try a "blind" DOS
BACKUP.

If you use a bootable floppy with BACKUP.EXE and a second copy in the A:
drive of another system, you can verify that everything else (other than
the display) is working by using the DIR A:, DIR C: commands (the
appropriate drive LED will come on.)

Type BACKUP C:\*.* A:/S (practice on the working system first - I
gather that you have been less than conscientious keeping backups.
You can re-use any floppies filled this way.)

Just keep feeding floppies and pressing <ENTER>.  When the A: drive LED
goes out, feed the next.  Number them carefully.  Then you can use
RESTORE A: C:\*.*/S to load an empty system.
___________

If you want to rescue just a few files and store them on a friend's
compatible system, MD YOURFILE to create a directory to contain all
the files you want to rescue.  You must be able to recognize them by
their pathname or filename.

Put a floppy in your old system and use XCOPY C:\*.* A:/S/M to copy
everything on the old C: drive.  (This copys only files that have
been modified since your last backup - i.e. the archive bit is SET.
It then UNSETS the archive bit - After this you won't be able to do
an incremental BACKUP - only a full BACKUP.)  Transfer the floppy to the
friend's system and use XCOPY A:\*.* C:\YOURFILE\*.*/S/P, which will prompt
(Y/N?) for each file.  Type Y for those you want to save, N for the rest,
DEL A:\*.* to clear the floppy, and repeat until done.

Boyd Ramsay

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