Amstrad PCW
Supercalc2 & Protext
Disc
Conversions
to PC or Mac
by
LuxSoft of Luxulyan
the
original independent professional
& confidential disc conversion service
Please click here for other types of disc conversions we can do
Amstrad PCW Supercalc2 & Protext conversions:
PC's tend not to like PCW 3" discs in their drives!
Most PCW owners just used the supplied LocoScript word processing software for all their needs but some preferred Protext whilst many who explored the world of the CP/M operating system used Supercalc2 for creating Spreadsheets.
Most computer shops will tell you that it's just not possible to convert these to useable PC files ... but it is! Moreover our system keeps all you Protext document formatting (bolds, italics etc).
However, the conversions are very laborious and time consuming (each file has to be converted individually through a three or four stage process) so our charges are per file rather than per disc.*
Our conversion service is fully confidential and the results are suitable for the vast majority of DOS and Windows-based software. Full post-transfer support comes in the form of a comprehensive step by step instruction & tips sheet plus free support by phone or e-mail.
We can accept :
single and double density CF2 3" discs from the PCW 8256, 8512 and 9512
3.5" discs (single, double and high density) 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.
We can also convert files from PC Protext so can accept files on all PC media.
PC Formats available for the transferred files
Protext WP Files can be converted to:
PC Protext format
Rich Text Format (.RTF) - almost universally acceptable wp format
MS Word 7 (.Doc) - not too far behind
Supercalc2 Spreadsheets are converted to the 'Comma Separated Variable' (CSV) type of text file which can be very quickly and simply read by most PC spreadsheet programs including:
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Excel
Lotus 123
In view of the very considerable amount of work involved converting each individual file, these data types are charged on a sliding scale according to the number of files there are per disc*:
The minimum charge per disc is £5 which covers the first two files on it.
Files 3-5 are 75p each
Files 6-10 are 50p each
Files 11-15 are 40p each
For over this number, please call or e-mail for a quote.
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 while to non-Europe it's £1.50.
For overseas customers, £1 translates to approx $1.40 US or 1.10 Euros
Turnround for smaller jobs is generally within 48hrs but larger jobs may take a few days.
* New el cheapo '2 stage' option for Protext users .....
If you have forgotten what's on the discs and/or don't want every file converted, we can offer a two-stage approach:
Convert the files to a format which you can read sufficiently well to see what each one contains and so decide whether or not to have it properly converted. Cost is as per LocoScript discs - £5 per disc with healthy discounts for 6+
Convert just the desired files to suit Word etc. Cost 50p per file with discounts for quantities over 20 files.
The procedure for sending us discs:
Click here to print out the Conversion Request Form to give us your details as well as how you would like the discs converted. If you are unable to print out the Request Form, please include a letter to give the info requested on the form.
If you have access
to a working PCW, it's best to make a copy of each of the discs
you wish to be converted and
send us the copies; you keep the originals.
(If you do not know how to copy discs using
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
Wrap each disc in a piece of kitchen towel and place between pieces of card then pop the pack in a "Jiffy" padded bag. Some CF2 discs were supplied in Perspex cases - please do not send discs in these Perspex cases as they can shatter in the post and damage the discs!
Unlike other companies, we do NOT ask for payment in advance ... but we do ask for prompt settlement of the invoice sent with the results.
Post the package to us. Please note that .....
Use of Recorded Delivery or Registered Mail is encouraged for valuable material & when disk 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.
What we then do:
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 them 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.
In
accord with your preferences and the volume of data involved, the
results are either e-mailed to you or sent by post on floppy disc or
CD together with an invoice and a set of
step-by-step instructions and useful tips. The invoice will detail
payment options which now include 
while the notes not only give advice on
opening and saving the files in your PC's word processor but also
comprehensive tips
on re-formatting
the documents to give even better looking results
For security, your original PCW discs are returned to you under separate cover once your payment has been received and, if by cheque, it has cleared through the bank. Due to high business bank charges and our distance from the bank, this may on occasions take up to a month from the date of cheque receipt.
"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 23rd April 2009
All material Copyright LuxSoft
2000-2009
All rights reserved worldwide
No part of this page may be copied, adapted or reproduced without
permission.
Other types of disc conversions we can do
