Accessing data on Acernote light

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Hi,
I've been asked to retrieve some account files from an old Acernote
Light laptop. It has a Mitsumi D353F2 external floppy drive that isn't
currently reading, writing or formatting floppy disks. It also has a
Phonic Pro modem PC card, through which I could email the files but the
modem card has no line cable.

I'd like to be able to get the files to the intended recipient. I'd
also like to make this old laptop functional. Please can anyone give me
advice on any of the following:

I've been to the Acer site looking for a User Guide and other
documentation but it's like the Acernote Light never existed. Is there
an alternative source for these documents?

I'm going to try cleaning the floppy drive head with a cleaning disc
and cleaning fluid. If this doesn't work is it possible to buy just the
bare floppy drive and use it with the existing floppy case and cable?

Is the Phonic Pro modem PC card's line cable likely to be a standard
generic cable or will I need to get a proprietary cable from the
manufacturer?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote in news:1121353285.102245.19300
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> Hi,
> I've been asked to retrieve some account files from an old Acernote
> Light laptop. It has a Mitsumi D353F2 external floppy drive that isn't
> currently reading, writing or formatting floppy disks. It also has a
> Phonic Pro modem PC card, through which I could email the files but the
> modem card has no line cable.
<snip>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards,
> Lila Duncan

if it has an ethernet connection, put it on your network and access the
files that way.

you can probably find an external USB floppy drive, assuming you have a USB
port on that laptop.

finally, you can always remove the hard drive and hook it up to an external
laptop hard drive case, and access the drive by hooking it up to another
computer.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Good Man wrote:

> if it has an ethernet connection, put it on your network and access the
> files that way.

Thank you for the suggestions but:
No Ethernet

> you can probably find an external USB floppy drive, assuming you have a USB
> port on that laptop.

No USB

> finally, you can always remove the hard drive and hook it up to an external
> laptop hard drive case, and access the drive by hooking it up to another
> computer.

This will be a last resort.

Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> writes:
> > if it has an ethernet connection, put it on your network and access the
> > files that way.
>
> Thank you for the suggestions but:
> No Ethernet

Put in an ethernet pc card. They are dirt cheap.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

"LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1121372917.527068.308200@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

>
>
> Good Man wrote:
>
>> if it has an ethernet connection, put it on your network and access
>> the files that way.
>
> Thank you for the suggestions but:
> No Ethernet
>
>> you can probably find an external USB floppy drive, assuming you have
>> a USB port on that laptop.
>
> No USB
>
>> finally, you can always remove the hard drive and hook it up to an
>> external laptop hard drive case, and access the drive by hooking it
>> up to another computer.
>
> This will be a last resort.
>
> Regards,
> Lila Duncan

and you mentioned that "I'd
also like to make this old laptop functional. "

how functional is a laptop in this age with no Ethernet or USB? functional
for what exactly? checking your email with a dial-up modem?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Paul Rubin wrote:
> "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> writes:
> > > if it has an ethernet connection, put it on your network and access the
> > > files that way.
> >
> > Thank you for the suggestions but:
> > No Ethernet
>
> Put in an ethernet pc card. They are dirt cheap.

Thanks, I'll get one.🙂
Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Good Man wrote:

> and you mentioned that "I'd
> also like to make this old laptop functional. "
>
> how functional is a laptop in this age with no Ethernet or USB? functional
> for what exactly? checking your email with a dial-up modem?

Thanks, Yes. I will add an Ethernet card. Is it possible to add a
writeable CD drive or USB ports via a PC card?
Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

budgie wrote:
> On 14 Jul 2005 13:28:37 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:

> Is it a 370 series machine? Pentium 1 - 133 or -150?

Apart from the 'Acernote Light' logo it only has a model No. AN 370C
and that it was made in Holland on 14/11/96
The CPU is described as a Pentium 120MHz

> CD-Rom drive internal,
> floppy on a short leash from a proprietary latching connector on the rear?

That's exactly what it's got. 🙂

> If so, I think I have the user and service manuals here somewhere.

I'd appreciate a copy especially if you have it in eBook form.

> As others have said, if it boots and runs then I'd be looking at a PCMCIA NIC to
> get the data off if it is running a suitable OS. Otherwise, pull the HDD. On
> the 370 series that's no big deal for the -150 version - remove one screw.

Thanks for the advice. I'll get the PCMCIA NIC.

Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Andrew wrote:

> Careful. While you can get USB cards for a PC Card (aka PCMCIA) slot,
> they are likely "Cardbus" standard that may not work in older laptops
> such as, perhaps, yours. You didn't say what OS this laptop has, but
> if it is Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, USB won't be supported at all, and
> you may have trouble getting drivers to work even for an Ethernet PC
> Card you buy.

Very helpful thanks. I'll have to check whether the laptop has carbus
compatitbility. Perhaps considering the minmial hardware spec (16MB
RAM, 1.2GB HD), I couldnt hope to upgrade the OS beyond Win98, if that.

> Your laptop probably does have a serial port. There are ways to
> connect up two computers via the serial ports and copy files, etc. Do
> some googling on that - try searching for "serial port cable
> connection" or something like that.

Thanks, I'll do that.

> Just to get files off the hard drive, the easiest solution might be to
> buy a USB hard drive enclosure, take the hard drive out, and plug the
> USB/drive enclosure with drive in it into another computer and just
> read the files off of it.

I do have one of these. It's fitted with an internal 3.5" HD, so I
don't know if it will adapt to a 2.5" laptop drive.

> Andrew
> --
> ----> Portland, Oregon, USA <----
> *******************************************************************
> ----> http/www.bizave.com <---- Photo Albums and Portland Info
> ----> To Email me remove "MYSHOES" from email address
> *******************************************************************

Thanks for the help.
Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Andrew]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

LilaDuncan <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
: Good Man wrote:

: > and you mentioned that "I'd
: > also like to make this old laptop functional. "
: >
: > how functional is a laptop in this age with no Ethernet or USB? functional
: > for what exactly? checking your email with a dial-up modem?

: Thanks, Yes. I will add an Ethernet card. Is it possible to add a
: writeable CD drive or USB ports via a PC card?

Careful. While you can get USB cards for a PC Card (aka PCMCIA) slot,
they are likely "Cardbus" standard that may not work in older laptops
such as, perhaps, yours. You didn't say what OS this laptop has, but
if it is Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, USB won't be supported at all, and
you may have trouble getting drivers to work even for an Ethernet PC
Card you buy.

Your laptop probably does have a serial port. There are ways to
connect up two computers via the serial ports and copy files, etc. Do
some googling on that - try searching for "serial port cable
connection" or something like that.

Just to get files off the hard drive, the easiest solution might be to
buy a USB hard drive enclosure, take the hard drive out, and plug the
USB/drive enclosure with drive in it into another computer and just
read the files off of it.

Andrew
--
----> Portland, Oregon, USA <----
*******************************************************************
----> http/www.bizave.com <---- Photo Albums and Portland Info
----> To Email me remove "MYSHOES" from email address
*******************************************************************

 

[budgie]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 14 Jul 2005 13:28:37 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
>Good Man wrote:
>
>> if it has an ethernet connection, put it on your network and access the
>> files that way.
>
>Thank you for the suggestions but:
>No Ethernet
>
>> you can probably find an external USB floppy drive, assuming you have a USB
>> port on that laptop.
>
>No USB
>
>> finally, you can always remove the hard drive and hook it up to an external
>> laptop hard drive case, and access the drive by hooking it up to another
>> computer.
>
>This will be a last resort.

Is it a 370 series machine? Pentium 1 - 133 or -150? CD-Rom drive internal,
floppy on a short leash from a proprietary latching connector on the rear?

If so, I think I have the user and service manuals here somewhere.

As others have said, if it boots and runs then I'd be looking at a PCMCIA NIC to
get the data off if it is running a suitable OS. Otherwise, pull the HDD. On
the 370 series that's no big deal for the -150 version - remove one screw.

 

[Andrew]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

LilaDuncan <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
: Andrew wrote:

: > Careful. While you can get USB cards for a PC Card (aka PCMCIA) slot,
: > they are likely "Cardbus" standard that may not work in older laptops
: > such as, perhaps, yours. You didn't say what OS this laptop has, but
: > if it is Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, USB won't be supported at all, and
: > you may have trouble getting drivers to work even for an Ethernet PC
: > Card you buy.

: Very helpful thanks. I'll have to check whether the laptop has carbus
: compatitbility. Perhaps considering the minmial hardware spec (16MB
: RAM, 1.2GB HD), I couldnt hope to upgrade the OS beyond Win98, if that.

Win98 with 16MB of RAM would be pretty tough!!!

: > Your laptop probably does have a serial port. There are ways to
: > connect up two computers via the serial ports and copy files, etc. Do
: > some googling on that - try searching for "serial port cable
: > connection" or something like that.

: Thanks, I'll do that.

: > Just to get files off the hard drive, the easiest solution might be to
: > buy a USB hard drive enclosure, take the hard drive out, and plug the
: > USB/drive enclosure with drive in it into another computer and just
: > read the files off of it.

: I do have one of these. It's fitted with an internal 3.5" HD, so I
: don't know if it will adapt to a 2.5" laptop drive.

Well, it can, but you probably need to buy an adaptor. I have one -
it converts the plug from a 40 pin IDE connector into the 44 pin (with
power) laptop IDE connector. I think my adaptor was $6 at Fry's.
You can buy one online probably.

Andrew
--
----> Portland, Oregon, USA <----
*******************************************************************
----> http/www.bizave.com <---- Photo Albums and Portland Info
----> To Email me remove "MYSHOES" from email address
*******************************************************************

 

[budgie]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 15 Jul 2005 00:48:21 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
>budgie wrote:
>> On 14 Jul 2005 13:28:37 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Is it a 370 series machine? Pentium 1 - 133 or -150?
>
>Apart from the 'Acernote Light' logo it only has a model No. AN 370C
>and that it was made in Holland on 14/11/96
>The CPU is described as a Pentium 120MHz
>
>> CD-Rom drive internal,
>> floppy on a short leash from a proprietary latching connector on the rear?
>
>That's exactly what it's got. 🙂
>
>> If so, I think I have the user and service manuals here somewhere.
>
>I'd appreciate a copy especially if you have it in eBook form.

The UG is ~1M as a .pdf, zipped doesn't compress it more than 9%. The SM is a
3.2M .pdf ditto. If your gmail account can handle attachments of that size I'll
ping them across.

>> As others have said, if it boots and runs then I'd be looking at a PCMCIA NIC to
>> get the data off if it is running a suitable OS. Otherwise, pull the HDD. On
>> the 370 series that's no big deal for the -150 version - remove one screw.
>
>Thanks for the advice. I'll get the PCMCIA NIC.

The only issue there might be drivers. I run 98SE on a pair of 370's (P1-133
and P1-150), with no problems installing a PCMCIA NIC. The 98SE disk had
drivers that supported both. Don't know 95 well enough to know what it would
do, but as long as the CD drive works you can feed it anything it wants.

Along the line Andrew suggested, there are Laplink-type products that will
possibly be the easiest way to get the data off, requiring only the purchase of
a <$10 cable. If rendering the machine a useful tool is a significant objective
then the NIC is probably still worth pursuing.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Andrew wrote:
> LilaDuncan <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
> : Andrew wrote:

> Win98 with 16MB of RAM would be pretty tough!!!

Yes, 16 MB of RAM is the least I've encountered on a computer in my
limited experience. I'll check the possibility of upgrade.

> : Thanks, I'll do that.
>
> : > Just to get files off the hard drive, the easiest solution might be to
> : > buy a USB hard drive enclosure, take the hard drive out, and plug the
> : > USB/drive enclosure with drive in it into another computer and just
> : > read the files off of it.
>
> : I do have one of these. It's fitted with an internal 3.5" HD, so I
> : don't know if it will adapt to a 2.5" laptop drive.
>
> Well, it can, but you probably need to buy an adaptor. I have one -
> it converts the plug from a 40 pin IDE connector into the 44 pin (with
> power) laptop IDE connector. I think my adaptor was $6 at Fry's.
> You can buy one online probably.

Thanks that's a great idea. I'll get one of those and try it.



> Andrew
> --
> ----> Portland, Oregon, USA <----
> *******************************************************************
> ----> http/www.bizave.com <---- Photo Albums and Portland Info
> ----> To Email me remove "MYSHOES" from email address
> *******************************************************************

Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

budgie wrote:
> On 15 Jul 2005 00:48:21 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >budgie wrote:
> >> On 14 Jul 2005 13:28:37 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
> >

> >> If so, I think I have the user and service manuals here somewhere.
> >
> >I'd appreciate a copy especially if you have it in eBook form.
>
> The UG is ~1M as a .pdf, zipped doesn't compress it more than 9%. The SM is a
> 3.2M .pdf ditto. If your gmail account can handle attachments of that size I'll
> ping them across.

Thanks, Id appreciate that. Shall I email you to confirm?


> >> As others have said, if it boots and runs then I'd be looking at a PCMCIA NIC to
> >> get the data off if it is running a suitable OS. Otherwise, pull the HDD. On
> >> the 370 series that's no big deal for the -150 version - remove one screw.
> >
> >Thanks for the advice. I'll get the PCMCIA NIC.
>
> The only issue there might be drivers. I run 98SE on a pair of 370's (P1-133
> and P1-150), with no problems installing a PCMCIA NIC. The 98SE disk had
> drivers that supported both. Don't know 95 well enough to know what it would
> do, but as long as the CD drive works you can feed it anything it wants.

If I can upgrade the RAM from 16MB, perhaps I can install Win98, which
might increase the chances of successful LAN activities.


> Along the line Andrew suggested, there are Laplink-type products that will
> possibly be the easiest way to get the data off, requiring only the purchase of
> a <$10 cable. If rendering the machine a useful tool is a significant objective
> then the NIC is probably still worth pursuing.

I'll try both these options.

Regards,
Lila Duncan

 

[budgie]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 18 Jul 2005 02:07:53 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
>budgie wrote:
>> On 15 Jul 2005 00:48:21 -0700, "LilaDuncan" <LilaDuncan@gmail.com> wrote:
(snip)

>> The UG is ~1M as a .pdf, zipped doesn't compress it more than 9%. The SM is a
>> 3.2M .pdf ditto. If your gmail account can handle attachments of that size I'll
>> ping them across.
>
>Thanks, Id appreciate that. Shall I email you to confirm?

en route

>> >> As others have said, if it boots and runs then I'd be looking at a PCMCIA NIC to
>> >> get the data off if it is running a suitable OS. Otherwise, pull the HDD. On
>> >> the 370 series that's no big deal for the -150 version - remove one screw.
>> >
>> >Thanks for the advice. I'll get the PCMCIA NIC.
>>
>> The only issue there might be drivers. I run 98SE on a pair of 370's (P1-133
>> and P1-150), with no problems installing a PCMCIA NIC. The 98SE disk had
>> drivers that supported both. Don't know 95 well enough to know what it would
>> do, but as long as the CD drive works you can feed it anything it wants.
>
>If I can upgrade the RAM from 16MB, perhaps I can install Win98, which
>might increase the chances of successful LAN activities.

98 runs in 16MB - well, it dawdles actually. The difference with 32MB is
substantial.

>> Along the line Andrew suggested, there are Laplink-type products that will
>> possibly be the easiest way to get the data off, requiring only the purchase of
>> a <$10 cable. If rendering the machine a useful tool is a significant objective
>> then the NIC is probably still worth pursuing.
>
>I'll try both these options.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

budgie wrote:

> >> The UG is ~1M as a .pdf, zipped doesn't compress it more than 9%. The SM is a
> >> 3.2M .pdf ditto. If your gmail account can handle attachments of that size I'll
> >> ping them across.
> >
> >Thanks, Id appreciate that. Shall I email you to confirm?
>
> en route

Thanks so much for your help, I'll be able to see more clearly what
upgrades are possible now.

> 98 runs in 16MB - well, it dawdles actually. The difference with 32MB is
> substantial.

I can hardly wait to find out if a doubling of RAM is possible on this
laptop. 🙂

Regards,
Lila Duncan