the
original independent professional
& confidential disc conversion service ...
... still going strong on
!
This page is for the Amstrad PCW versions of LocoScript
For other PCW & PC disc & file conversions, please click Here
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Yes, we can convert LocoScript files from PCW's to suit Microsoft Word, Works and many other popular PC or Apple Mac word processing programs so that the results can then be edited just as if the text had been entered on the PC/Mac in the first place. We can also convert LocoFile databases to suit Excel, MS Works or Access.
At just five pounds per complete disc (or even less for 6 or more), this is a fraction of what other professional conversion services charge.
Please beware amateur imitators, those who lose all your formatting with text-only (Ascii) conversions and those who produce dangerous files which could wipe your computer's hard disc clean!
As per life in Cornwall generally, we believe that quality is more important than speed. We can't guarantee same day turn-round but our prime concerns are the accuracy and completeness of the results we achieve, particularly when discs are faulty.
We care about your valuable data !
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We can handle all versions of LocoScript on either 3" CF2 or 3.5" discs, and versions can be mixed on the same disc. There are NO surcharges for Loco 4 files and we take them as they are - we do NOT ask you to do any conversion of these to another format before sending them to us.
We DO accept damaged or corrupted discs and make NO additional charge for initial data retrieval work. We also accept batches of discs of unknown content making NO CHARGE for those which transpire to be empty or purely program discs.
We can convert files to suit all popular PC & Mac word processors WITHOUT losing the document formatting - we do NOT lose all your bolds, italics etc through using Plain Text format. The most popular are Microsoft Word 2 and Rich Text Formats but we do make special arrangements for those rich enough to afford MS Word 2003 SP3 or Word 2007; we don't leave you high-and-dry like the others do.
We do NOT produce files which could seriously harm your computer if double clicked upon. Unlike most competitors, the files we produce are not only safe but also very easy to open on both PC's and Macs. You can then edit the results as you wish, for example to benefit from the wider range of typefaces and sizes offered by Windows.
We charge a flat £5 per physical PCW disc (= both sides of a single density CF2's), no matter how full it is, and there are progressive discounts for 6 or more error-free discs.
We do NOT ask for payment with order. You send us the discs, we do the conversion and we send you the results (by post and/or e-mail) accompanied by a comprehensive Help & Editing Tips sheet and an invoice. Once your payment has been received & cleared, your original discs are (if you wish) returned to you.
If that has
answered all your questions, click
here to skip down to the detailed costs and the procedure for sending us
discs.
Otherwise
scroll on down for the full nitty gritty ....
PC's tend not to like PCW 3" discs in their drives!
Introduction
Most shop assistants these days are younger than the average PCW so they will likely never even have heard of them, let alone know about file conversion possibilities. But yes, it IS possible to convert LocoScript files (whether on 3" or 3.5" disc) from all versions, including Loco 4, so that they can be read on a PC - or a Mac - by word processing programs like Microsoft Word .... and we can do it without losing all your document formatting too!
Some companies convert LocoScript files to 'text only' (ASCII files). This means that you loose all your precious formatting, including all those lovely bolds, italics and foreign language accents. We do not - our method keeps all your formatting.
Some charge per file - we charge per complete disc, however full it is.
Some produce files which are difficult to load on a PC and could easily corrupt your hard disc if double clicked on in Windows. Our 'Easy Read' system is both simple and safe for all levels of PC user.
Some ask for advance payment with order. We invoice on completion as we make no charge for discs which transpire be empty or purely program discs.
Some do not accept known damaged or corrupt discs. We DO accept problem discs ... and we make NO additional charge for evaluation & initial data retrieval attempts.
Our fully confidential disc transfer service keeps all your document formatting and is suitable for the vast majority of DOS and Windows-based word processors. Full post-transfer support comes in the form of a comprehensive and widely acclaimed step by step instruction & tips document as well as free support by phone or e-mail.
Oh yes, and we're about the cheapest professional service too!
We can accept :
single and double density CF2 3" discs from the PCW 8256, 8512 and 9512
double and high density 3.5" discs from all flavours of PCW, be they 9256, 9512+ or 10, which had 3.5" disc drives from the outset, or older 8256/8512/9512 models which have been fitted with replacement drives
single sided (173k/180k) 3.5" discs from non-standard 8256/8512 drives
files which have already been transferred 'as is' to PC on PC floppy, CD or by e-mail.
PCW File Formats accepted
LocoScript - all versions (1, 2, 3 or 4) - and it doesn't matter if discs contain some files in one version and some in another.
LocoFile - versions 1, 2 and 3 - again they can be mixed, and they can be on the same disc as LocoScript files.
Please note that -
Any other types of file on the disc(s) - such as saved phrases, bits of the LocoScript program and printer definition files - are not converted as they are not relevant to the PC environment.
"Limbo" files (erased files and previous edits held in the "Recycle Bin") are only converted by special request or if disc errors prevent the latest ('active') version from being satisfactorily converted.
PC Formats available for the transferred files
Locoscript 1/2/3/4 Files - These can all be converted to:
MS Word for Windows 2 (.DOC). This popular format can be read by ALL versions of Microsoft Word from version 2 onwards up to 2003 SP2, including 95/97 & 2000 both on PC and Apple Mac, plus MS Works 4 & 8 and Lotus WordPro 97.
MS Word for Windows 7 (.DOC) to suit those who have upgraded their Word 2003 to SP3 or who have the delightful Word 2007.
Rich Text Format (.RTF) is suitable for other versions of Microsoft Works on PC as well as AppleWorks on Mac but can also be read by a host of others including Word and Wordpad.
LocoScript PC, Word Perfect, Windows Write and many more.
Please note however that currently we are unable correctly to convert LocoScript text that is in Greek, Cyrillic (Russian) or Old Icelandic.
LocoFile Databases - We use a format which can be very quickly & simply read by:
Database IV
Lotus Approach
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program.
Note - For those wanting to use Microsoft Access, it's best firstly to open the files in Excel then import the resulting Spreadsheets into new Access Tables via the 'Get External Data' command.
The price is a mere £5 for ALL the files on a complete disc (that means BOTH sides in the case of a 173k CF2 disc from an 8256/8512). That's a tenth of the price some companies charge !
The even better news is that there are significant discounts for quantities of 6 or more error-free discs : - for 6-10 it's £4.50, 11 to 15 it's £4.25 and 16-20 it's £4; please e-mail or call for larger quantities.
Please note that, unlike some, we charge a flat fee per complete disc. There are:
NO surcharges for full or nearly full discs,
NO surcharges for LocoScript 4 files,
NO surcharges for our supplying the PC floppy disc(s) or CD's and
NO surcharges for sending back your old discs afterwards!
All prices include e-mailing of results worldwide. For results on CD or floppy disc sent by post, a minimum invoice value of £10 has had to be introduced due to the ever increasing cost of postage. For CD's to Europe (incl Republic of Ireland), there is an additional postal charge of 50p and to non-Europe of £1.50.
For overseas customers, £1 translates to approx $2 US or 1.30 Euros
The conversion service is totally confidential and, for the police and members of the legal profession, we can if required produce at nominal cost affirmations of conversion integrity, reports on disc condition & directory content etc.
Although we aim to achieve a 24 to 48hr turnaround, we firmly believe that the quality of the work is far more important than speed. Sometimes it may therefore take a tad longer, particularly if there are problems with the disc read errors or it's a busy period. Naturally, if there were a long delay, you would be notified by e-mail.
THE PROCEDURE FOR SENDING US DISCS
What to send and where to:
Click here to print out the Conversion Request Form to give us your contact details as well as say which program you are now using for your letter writing (word processing) so that we can convert the files to suit it. Most wp programs will flash up their name & version when they start and/or from Help on the toolbar then 'About'. Please do not say "Windows XP" or 'Vista' - these are the operating systems, not wp programs !
If you
have
a working PCW, make copies of your discs and send us those. If you
are not sure about copying discs with DISCKIT, please click here for detailed instructions.
If you don't have a working PCW or the discs won't copy properly
due to disc errors, please send us the originals.
Please clearly number the discs
Some CF2 discs were supplied in clear Perspex cases - please do not send these as they can shatter in the post and so damage the discs!
Wrap each disc in paper kitchen towel then place in an anti-static bag or between two pieces of card. Pop the pack in a "Jiffy" type of padded envelope together with your completed Conversion Request Form.
Please do NOT send
any money at this stage. You will be invoiced upon completion
and payment methods include cheque and 
.
Post the package to us. Please note that .....
Use of Recorded Delivery or Registered Mail is encouraged for valuable material & when disc copies cannot be made but this may delay receipt as the post arrives outside office hours.
Postage rates in the UK go on thickness of pack as well as size and weight so even just a single floppy must go as a 'Large Letter'. To avoid Royal Mail's punitive surcharges, please ensure that all mail is adequately stamped.
By sending us your discs, you are deemed to have accepted the Terms & Conditions of our service.
The files are converted to a format suitable for your PC Word Processor on floppy disc or CD. As the files from several PCW discs can be accommodated on one floppy or CD, each will contain separate numbered "folders" corresponding to each of your (numbered) PCW discs.
Alternatively, we can e-mail you the results - particularly relevant if you in a hurry or live outside the UK. If you have WinZip or use Windows XP, sending you a zipped archive makes life a whole lot easier ... but please ensure that your anti-virus or firewall software does not block .Zip attachments.
If we encounter any reading problems with the discs because they have become corrupted, we will spend up to 20 minutes per disc free of charge trying to repair it so as to retrieve as much as possible of the data. If this fails, we will contact you by telephone or e-mail to discuss options and the likely cost of further retrieval efforts.
The results are mailed to you together with an invoice and a set of step-by-step instructions and useful tips. These describe in simple terms not only how to open and save the files in your PC's word processor but also contain advice and tips on re-formatting documents.
Unlike
other companies, we do NOT ask for payment in advance but we do ask
for prompt settlement of the invoice. The invoice will detail
payment options which now include
For the security of your data, your original PCW discs (if they are still required) are returned to you under separate cover after your payment has been received and, if by cheque, this has cleared through the bank. Due to high business bank charges and distance from the bank, clearance may on occasions take up to four weeks from date of cheque receipt.
Comments from Previous Customers
"I was so excited and moved by what we discovered on the discs. Many thanks for a priceless service"
"The best £5 I ever spent!"
"I would like to compliment you on the wonderful service you provide. It is not often nowadays that one gets personal & friendly service"
"Very thorough instructions"
"You've done for a fiver what I was quoted £200 to do elsewhere!"
"Those disks have sat in a drawer for ten years and I am delighted to finally be able to access their data again. Thank you for such a speedy, professional, and inexpensive service."
"Thank you for the excellent work you did. I found your turnaround time really good, your work excellent and all for a very fair price too. I have no hesitation in recommending your service to anyone."
"I am thrilled & delighted to have all that information back again. Thanks to you, 5 years of research and hundreds of hours was not wasted after all!"
Other types of PCW to PC Disc Conversion that we can do
With so many types of file format around, it's difficult to list what data file conversions we can and can't do - so just call or e-mail us for a quote.
Please do remember that, unless you are running a PCW emulator like "Joyce" on your PC, PCW programs will NOT run on a PC !! (... unless you fancy re-writing those in Basic to run under GW Basic)
"Clinging to the trailing edge of technology"
Tel (01726) 81 2257 - Fax 087 0051 7259
e-mail malc@luxsoft.demon.co.uk
Established 1986 - This page last amended 7th August 2008
All material Copyright LuxSoft
2000-2008
No part of this page may be copied, adapted or reproduced without
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