HP analyzer floppy disk utility?
Matthew Purver
Hi,
we recently bought a HP35660A spectrum analyzer.
I can save plots etc. to the built-in floppy drive, but haven't yet worked out
how I might be able to read these floppies on another machine in order to
manipulate the data. The disk format can't be read by DOS, or even by Linux
(with mount using the hpfs option).
Anybody know of a way to read the disks?
thanks,
Matt
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew Purver Ultra Electronics Ltd., Noise & Vibration Systems
Phone: +44 (0)1223 426699 Fax: 426696 Email: ma...@ultranvs.co.uk
Frank Slootweg
[This is a recording.]
If the diskettes are written in HP's Logical Interchange Format (LIF),
then the information in the below (edited) copy of an earlier comp.sys.hp
posting, may be of help.
By the way: If you have an HP UNIX (HP-UX) system with the appropriate
diskette drive available, then you can do the conversion from LIF to DOS
filesystems on that system. See LIF(4) and DOSIF(4) for details.
Please note that all the utilities only/mainly convert the
file*systems*, not the *data* in the files (which is processor,
language, OS, etc. dependent). So after using these utilities, the
target system can *read* the data. Whether it *"understands"* the data,
is quite another matter, with which I can not help.
Frank Slootweg, HP, Dutch Customer Response Center
P.S. The HP LIFUTIL, part number E2080A, is obsolete after October 1,
1994. It is now available as unsupported freeware. See below for
details (and for yet another alternative).
[End of recording.]
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
From: [deleted]
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1993 19:12:49 GMT
Subject: CITIfile data format FAQ file
Organization: [deleted]
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp
[deleted]
DOS:
Utilities are available for DOS machines that enable them to
transfer files to and from a LIF formatted disk. Many of these
programs are menu-driven, and are available from several companies.
Two utilities available from HP are:
* The HP LIFUTIL, part number E2080A, $195 US list.
* HP 3563A Option 921 "PC File Utilities for HP 3563A", $150 US list.
The LIFUTIL program runs on HP Vectra PCs, IBM PCs, and 100%
compatibles; it can do the following functions: LIF to DOS copy, DOS
to LIF copy, LIF catalog, LIF purge file, zero LIF disk, LIF disk
status, LIF Hex sector dump, LIF Hex sector edit, and LIF disk
initialize. The program has both command-line and menu-driven modes;
it can be controlled from the keyboard or with a mouse. The program
is well written, well documented, is easy to use, and works well.
The "PC File Utilities for HP 3563A" is a supplemental software
package for the 3563A Control Systems Analyzer. There are two
LIF/DOS conversion programs included named "LIF" and "LIFDIAG". To
order them you must order a 3563A Analyzer, quantity 0; with Option
921, quantity 1. The programs work much like the typical DOS copy
commands. The available functions are virtually identical to those
supplied by LIFUTIL: LIF to DOS copy, DOS to LIF copy, LIF catalog,
LIF purge file, LIF disk check, LIF Hex sector dump, LIF Hex sector
edit, LIF disk initialize, and ASCII/binary sector pattern search.
This program is command-line driven only; however it comes with a
good help facility, is fairly easy to use, and works well.
[deleted]
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
vxd exchange / feb 95 3
* [LIFUTIL] LIFUTIL STILL AVAILABLE FOR FREE: The LIF to DOS utility
product, E2080A, was discontinued last year, yet continues to be requested.
LIFUTIL is now available free to customers on a non-supported basis and can be
obtained in one of several ways:
% From our support BBS at 303-679-5978.
% From our anonymous-FTP server, hplvopen.lvld.hp.com (or 15.255.16.2) in
the directory pub/dist/vxd/dos/obsolete/lifutil.
% We can email a copy on request; just send your request to
pc...@hpislsup.lvld.hp.com.
% If all else fails, we can send a copy through the posts on disk (stateside
only, we can't ship directly to a customer overseas).
Note that LIFUTIL was obsoleted because modern PCs don't always work with it.
If you have a PC where it won't work, you might consider instead using the
DOS File System (DFS) binary for HP BASIC, which allows an HP BASIC
workstation to access a DOS floppy ... product number is 98616D.
[%%] gvg
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
Later (December 1996 or earlier) note:
The hplvopen.lvld.hp.com machine has been relocated to a new machine:
Web access:
ftp://fcext3.external.hp.com/dist/mxd/pc/index.html
FTP access:
fcext3.external.hp.com
dist/mxd/pc/README
----------------------------------- THE END ----------------------------------
[Well, not quite the end. Here are some more postings from comp.sys.hp.*
groups which may be relevant:]
Path: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com!isonews.bbn.hp.com!news.corp.hp.com!col.hp.com!usenet.eel.ufl.edu!warwick!yama.mcc.ac.uk!usenet
From: Ian Hawkins <i...@fs4.ee.umist.ac.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.misc
Subject: Freeware program to read HP BASIC LIF BDAT files.
Date: 25 Jun 1996 14:01:00 GMT
Organization: UMIST
Lines: 17
Message-ID: <4qores$7...@yama.mcc.ac.uk>
NNTP-Posting-Host: idh.ee.umist.ac.uk
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 1.1N (Windows; I; 32bit)
I have posted a revised version of a program to read LIF disks to the
ftp server ftp.mcc.ac.uk , it should appear in the pub/dos/ subdirectory
as LIF2DOS2.ZIP. The readme file follows.
LIF2DOS2.EXE runs on IBM PC compatible machines. It converts data files
stored on HP LIF disks into DOS text format. ASCII files and HP4145B
semiconductor parameter analyser files are converted, and (new to this
revision) BDAT binary data files created by HP BASIC programs can also be
translated into DOS text. To do this a template file named BDAT.INF has
to be present in the current directory. The format of this file is
explained in the LIF2DOS2.TXT file that accompanies the LIF2DOS2.EXE
file. This program is freeware, and comes with no guarantee.
25-June-96
Ian Hawkins I...@fs4.ee.umist.ac.uk
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
Path: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com!isonews.bbn.hp.com!news.corp.hp.com!col.hp.com!news.dtc.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!sdd.hp.com!news.sgi.com!howland.erols.net!EU.net!usenet2.news.uk.psi.net!uknet!usenet1.news.uk.psi.net!uknet!psinntp!psinntp!pubxfer.news.psi.net!usenet
From: "Ted Dasher, Jr." <tda...@dasher.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
Subject: Re: HP 9000 Series 300 floppies
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 1996 08:09:00 -0600
Organization: Ted Dasher & Associates
Lines: 14
Message-ID: <327A04...@dasher.com>
References: <107.6877...@why.net>
Reply-To: tda...@dasher.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: 38.254.39.65
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0Gold (Win95; I)
To: David S Lund <dl...@why.net>
David S Lund wrote:
>
> Does anyone know if there is a way to read the data off of an HP9000 series
> 300 floppy with a PC or Amiga?
Take a look at http://www.transera.com They have a product called HPCOPY
which will take care of this on PCs.
--
Ted Dasher
Ted Dasher & Associates (800) 638-4833
4117 2nd Avenue South (205) 591-1108 Fax
Birmingham, AL 35222 (205) 591-4747
mailto:tda...@dasher.com
http://www.dasher.com
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
Path: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com!isonews.bbn.hp.com!news
From: Alain MANOURY <alain_...@hp.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.misc,sci.data.formats,comp.os.ms-windows.apps.utilities.win95
Subject: Re: Can I Read HP Floppy Disk Data On a PC ?
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 14:29:13 +0100
Organization: HP France
Lines: 23
Message-ID: <32C7C3...@hp.com>
References: <5a5sjl$6...@news.tamu.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: dinok78.france.hp.com
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0 (WinNT; I)
Xref: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com comp.sys.hp.misc:9901 comp.os.ms-windows.apps.utilities.win95:30547
Declan Hughes wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I stored data from a HP 3563A Spectrum analyser via
> HPIB and a HP9122 floppy disk drive on a high density
> double sided floppy disk. Is there software that will enable
> me to read these files on a Pentium PC running W95
> or DOS, or must I seek out a HP workstation attached
> to the Internet ?
>
> Declan Hughes
> dhu...@aero.tamu.edu
HP use a proprietary format called "SDF" or "Standard Data
Format" with this instruments line.
There is a software, which runs in Win 3.1, which can transform
your 3563A data files into manageable information.
It's called HP 35639A, Data Viewer.
May be you can ask a demo disk to your local HP office.
Regards.
Alain_Manoury; HP France, TMO
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
Path: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com!isonews.bbn.hp.com!news.corp.hp.com!akebono!hpujjpo!hpscit.sc.hp.com!news.dtc.hp.com!col.hp.com!sdd.hp.com!usc!newshub.csu.net!www.nntp.primenet.com!nntp.primenet.com!EU.net!uknet!usenet1.news.uk.psi.net!uknet!uknet!yama.mcc.ac.uk!usenet
From: Ian Hawkins <i...@fs4.ee.umist.ac.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.misc
Subject: Re: Can I Read HP Floppy Disk Data On a PC ?
Date: Mon, 30 Dec 1996 20:11:00 -0800
Organization: UMIST
Lines: 31
Message-ID: <32C892...@fs4.ee.umist.ac.uk>
References: <5a5sjl$6...@news.tamu.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: idh.ee.umist.ac.uk
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0 (Win16; I)
To: Declan Hughes <dhu...@aero.tamu.edu>
Declan Hughes wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> I stored data from a HP 3563A Spectrum analyser via
> HPIB and a HP9122 floppy disk drive on a high density
> double sided floppy disk. Is there software that will enable
> me to read these files on a Pentium PC running W95
> or DOS, or must I seek out a HP workstation attached
> to the Internet ?
If the data was stored as ASCII on your LIF disk then you have
no problem. There is are a couple of freeware programs that
will do the job. HPWUTIL.EXE was the HP utility, originally
commercial this is now freeware; I have placed a program
on ftp://ftp.mcc.ac.uk/pub/dos/lf2dos2.zip that also does the
LIF ASCII to DOS.
If the data is in HP BASIC BDAT format AND you have exact knowledge
of the variables and their storage order then you can read it
with HP2LIF2. However if the data is stored using non-standard
numbers you have problems; (only 8 byte reals, 2 byte integers
and HP BASIC strings are readable by HP2LIF2).
The use of non-standard length reals made reading data stored
by a HP semiconductor parameter analyser a pain. Another
piece of HP kit (I think it was a HP Lightwave component
analyser) had no information at all available on the data file
LIF disk storage format. YMMV.
Ian H.
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
Path: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com!isonews.bbn.hp.com!news
From: Alain MANOURY <alain_...@hp.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.misc
Subject: Re: HP9000-300 (HP-BASIC) files to PC?
Date: Tue, 18 Feb 1997 17:32:09 +0100
Organization: HP France
Lines: 22
Message-ID: <3309D9...@hp.com>
References: <Dsw8B...@ecf.toronto.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: dinok78.france.hp.com
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0 (WinNT; I)
ANTHONY DAVID M wrote:
>
> I am looking for a way to transfer files from an HP9000 Series
> 300 to an IBM-PC compatible. The 9000-300 is running HP-BASIC
> 5.1. The files are numerical test data; I would like to be
> able to transfer it into a spreadsheet on the PC.
> What software would I need and where can I find it. As well,
> what hard links might I need. The HP has a 3.5" floppy drive
> but the format is different than the PC's.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dave Anthony
> University of Toronto
> ant...@ecf.utoronto.ca
The HP-Basic does exist for Windows, on a PC.
You will be able to transfert your program and data from your 300 serie
to your PC running HP-Basic, and save your data with a spreadsheet
extension.
You should ask to your prefered HP sales rep.
HP Basic for Windows is HP E2060B.
----------------------------------- cut here ----------------------------------
Path: hpuamsa.neth.hp.com!isonews.bbn.hp.com!news.corp.hp.com!akebono!hpujjpo!hpscit.sc.hp.com!sdd.hp.com!usc!howland.erols.net!rill.news.pipex.net!pipex!uknet!usenet1.news.uk.psi.net!uknet!uknet!yama.mcc.ac.uk!usenet
From: Ian Hawkins <i...@fs4.ee.umist.ac.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp.hardware
Subject: Re: Help! How to read HP 9133 diskettes in MS-DOS?
Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 11:35:55 -0800
Organization: UMIST
Lines: 30
Message-ID: <33133F...@fs4.ee.umist.ac.uk>
References: <8565661...@dejanews.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: idh.ee.umist.ac.uk
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0 (Win16; I)
To: hans_w...@t-online.de
hans_w...@t-online.de wrote:
>
> There are some 3 1/2" diskettes of an old HP200 series system with
> many data interesting to me. They probably have been written by a
> HP9133 or similar type.
> Is there any chance to read the diskette in a standard diskette drive
> of a MS-DOS PC?
> Who can give me some help? Are there any programs converting the
> HP format to MS-DOS format? Or simply reading the HP format?
If the data is in ASCII format you could use the freeware obsolete
HP program. I wrote a freeware program to copy across both ASCII
and BDAT data to MSDOS systems from LIF disks. You tell it what the
BDAT data layout is in a template file, and it outputs text files.
Tokenised BASIC program files will need to be loaded into a HP system
and then saved as ASCII to go across.
The program is LIF2DOS.zip and can be found on ftp.mcc.ac.uk
in the pub/dos directory. I intend putting the source code
(quick basic) on this site too. (It had been my intention to
tidy it up and make some mods first, but realistically I dont
have time). It could do with being ported to windows.
The sector reading interrupt routine works OK from 16 bit apps
in both Win3.1 and Win95.
Good Luck
Ian H.
I...@FS4.EE.UMIST.AC.UK
----------------------------------- THE END ----------------------------------