Data Migration Facility

"There's an entire facility in here guys" -LGR

COPY35.COM Utility for the sending system
RECV35.COM Utility for the receiving system

Install and Transfer File Instructions in a Text File

Data Migration Facility
DMF Pinout
Install the DMF
Transferring Files
   Limits of COPY35.COM
   COPY35 Syntax


IBM PS/2 Data Migration Facility (#5003) (1501224)

This connecting tool provides a method for file transfers from an installed personal computer with a 5.25-inch diskette drive to the PS/2. It operates via the printer cable on the existing system and the parallel port on the new system. A receive program, also required, has been included on the 3.5-inch starter diskette packaged with each PS/2. DOS is required for both the sending and receiving systems. Level 2.0 or higher is required on the sending system, and 3.30 for reception. The printer cable must be attached to one of the following printer adapters on the host.


Data Migration Facility Pinout

From David Beem:
   Here are the pinouts for the PS/2 Data Migration Facility passthrough (Straight from the included IBM booklet). I will also do a 25-pin to 25-pin cable as a do-it-yourself for the people that can't find the passthrough connector. Later I will have the files & picture(s). On second look the utility just transfers files one way.

The Data Migration Facility is pretty simplistic: You are kind of "printing" a file to the PS/2 system. You have to create the directory structure or it has to exist on the receiving system before you run the utility. COPY35.COM runs on the sending system, while RECV35.COM runs on the PS/2 system to receive the "printed" output.


Install the DMF

  1. Connect DMF to parallel port of receiving system. Use thumbscrews as the adapter and cable are heavy and will pull away.
    Dave says: The receiving computer must have a "PS/2" bidirectional parallel port.
  2. Connect printer cable to DMF. Use the bails on the DMF to secure it.
  3. Connect printer cable to parallel port or printer port of sending system.
    Dave says: The sending computer can have just a regular parallel port.


Transferring Files

There are two files here, COPY35.COM (sending system) and RECV35.COM (receiving system). Start RECV35 on the receiving system, then run COPY35 to send files.

Note: You can't transfer files from a 1.44MB floppy to a 1.2MB floppy.

Limits of COPY35.COM

  1. Files not created with DOS cannot be transferred.
  2. Files cannot be renamed during transfer.
  3. Some copy-protected files cannot be transferred.
  4. If files have the same name, the receiving system's file will be overwritten.
  5. Don't transfer system files, since the receiving system may have a different DOS version.
  6. Files cannot be transferred to logical or virtual drives.

COPY35 Syntax

COPY35 function is similar to the DOS "COPY":

COPY35 [d:][path]filename.ext [d:][path]

A:, B:, C:, and D: are supported.
COPY35 supports the DOS wildcard characters * and ?.

During file transfer, the sending system displays "Sending files", the receiving system displays "Receiving files". At the successful completion of file transfer the sending system displays "XX File(s) copied" and the receiving system displays "Received successfully".

Content created and/or collected by:
Louis F. Ohland, Peter H. Wendt, David L. Beem, William R. Walsh, Tatsuo Sunagawa, Tomáš Slavotínek, Jim Shorney, Tim N. Clarke, Kevin Bowling, and many others.

Ardent Tool of Capitalism is maintained by Tomáš Slavotínek.
Last update: 24 Mar 2024 - Changelog | About | Legal & Contact