Transferring data from a DOS 5.0 (Win 3.1) Computer to a Windows XP Computer - Using Labview

[NoviceT]

In 1992 my lab purchased a Particle Size Analyzer (Microtrac series 9200) that came with a Compaq computer (DOS 5.0, Win3.1) and a printer.  Due to proprietary software restrictions I currently need to keep the analyzer software operating on the DOS computer (to calculate the particle size distribution according to Microtrac's evaluation), although everything else about the system is out-dated.  In fact the printer just died last week. 

I have been asked to figure out a way to still be able to use the old analyzer software on the DOS computer, but retrieve the data so that it can more quickly (and reliably) be analyzed using current platforms. At the back of the DOS computer the only available port is a parallel port - what Im wondering is how I can transfer data using a parallel port from a DOS computer to another computer with Windows XP?  I'd like to use Labview on the 2nd computer (with Windows XP) to retrieve the data - is this possible?  And, how do I do this?  

Other related questions which you may be able to help with:
(1) What equipment/ type of cord do I need to connect parallel ports?
(2) How do I get a DOS to send signal from the parallel port to the other computer? Do I just need to push "print screen"?
(3) What program do I need on the DOS computer to interface with the parallel port and send signals to the newer computer?  Is there a labview program that will run on a DOS computer (Win 3.1)?

Thanks very much in advance for any assistance in this. I do not have a huge amount of computer knowledge so I apologize if any of my terminology is not completely accurate.

[Kristoff2]

NoviceT,

You can certaily use the parallel port with LabVIEW.  You can do so using the NI VISA drivers.  More information about this can be found here:

How Do I Use the Parallel Port in LabVIEW?

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/B937AC4D8664E37886257206000551CB

I'm afraid I cannot provide much assistant with using the parallel port under windows 3.1 but you should be able to find more information about this from Microsoft and possibly our other forum users.

Regards,

Sam K

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

www.ni.com/support

[josborne]

Getting the data off the win3.1 machine, and across the Parallel port, is a good job for LabVIEW.  Have a look at the tutorial mentioned above. 

But I think you have left out one piece of the puzzle:  How do you plan to "retrieve the data" out of the old analyzer software?  Does it output data the data in some way?  To a text file?  Does it have some kind of interface? 

Or are you thinking of just grabbing a screenshot and sending the image (hence your reference to "print screen").  If you are looking at using a screenshot, then why not just buy another printer?

[NoviceT]

Today I figured out one way to get the data out of the old analyzer (Microtrac (c) 1993) software.  It'll be a bit onerous, but the analyzer can be set up to save it to a directory in dos and I can then open it in notepad on Win3.1.  The format of the file in notepad is messed up, but, after opening it, I can save it as a text file in win3.1.  From there I will need to send it across the parallel port to the 2nd computer (with windows xp).

Is there a program I can use on my ooooold computer with win3.1 to send the data over the parallel port?  Or, is there a labview edition that will work on Win3.1 (and I only have floppy input drives)?  I think the current version of labview will work on xp, but I may have to find another program that will interact with labview for the win3.1 version?  Does this make sense?

The problem with the current dos/win3.1 computer is that though we could get a new printer, I have been asked specifically to streamline the data entry and analysis.  Currently we have to type in the data (whether we observe the data on the screen or on print-outs).  Of course, by the time I open the file in notepad and send it across the parallel port it might be just as fast to write it down...but I am going to at least attempt to get a good interface with a current computer capable of emailing data and/or storing it on a USB key. 

[josborne]

That is an interesting challenge for you!  But at least the software outputs data to a file.  So you have a place to start.

It wasn't too long ago I deployed a LabVIEW application on a Win3.1 machine.  It was back in 1998.  I believe LV5.0 was the last version to support Win3.1.  I don't even think LV 5.1 supports it.  Here are the relase notes for LV5.0:

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/321778a.pdf

The problem is getting a copy of it.  Don't think NI sells it.  And you might need a CD drive to actually install it. 

You could check E-bay for old versions of LV.  I have seen old LV versions for sale there ... though I'm not sure its legit to do that.

Hmmm.  That is a tough one.

[josborne]

Also:  Have a look at the old machine.  Can you add expansion cards to it?  Maybe those old AT or ISA expansion cards?

I know that win3.1 could be "networked".  So maybe you could add a NIC to it.  And then maybe you could setup file sharing and just create a batch file to move the file.  To do that, you might want to ask a on a Windows forum.

[mikealder]

Whats wrong with using the Floppy drive just get a USB floppy unit for the newer PC and physically take the disk containing the results between the two devices - Mike

[Coq_Rouge]

In dos you can use the copy or print command. More about it here. http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000199.htm I have also used a memory stick on dos system. I have USB memstick driver. This works fine. However This will require that your host computer do have a USB port.

Most computers from that time do have one or more serial ports. If you have a free serial port I would have used this and hyperterm on the XP computer. In order to transfer the output file. But before you do this you must set the serial ports on both computers to the same setting. In DOS this is done with the mode coomand http://www.computerhope.com/modehlp.htm 

I do not know if this is supported in dos 5.0. But try to type the command msd in dos. MSD is a diagnostic utility to view diagnostic information relating to your computer's hardware setup  

[Coq_Rouge]

Eh I forgot to say. Most modern computers do not have a serial port. But that can be fixed using a cheap USB to serial converter. You will also need a NULL modem cable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem Your cumputer department will have this and a USB to serial converter. Or be able to get you these parts very easy.