Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

How do I contribute my disks for preservation?

By using our KryoFlux USB device, which is currently in Beta, and a standard PC floppy drive. Otherwise this must be done using a Commodore Amiga, which needs to meet certain requirements. If your system meets these requirements, then please contact us in order to receive the disk imaging software, which will perform some hardware compatibility tests. If all is well you will then be able to upload the resulting disk images to us for processing. Assuming everything works out, they will be released as IPF files, which is the SPS re-mastering format usable by emulators (and later will be used to write back to disks when suitable hardware is available).

Once, the KryoFlux device is out of beta, Amiga based methods will be phased out.

How can I image games for non-Amiga formats?

The same way you would any other disk, provided you have the required disk drive.

  • To image Atari ST games, you should use the same method as for Amiga disks. And the same goes for Acorn Archimedes Disks.
  • In the case of the PC based games:
    • If they are standard DD 3.5” disks, you should use the same method as Amiga.
    • If they are 1.44MB HD floppies, you will need a GENUINE Amiga high density disk drive, NOT a ‘Power XL’ drive or any other clones. The reason for this is that genuine amiga high density drives spin at half speed when a high density disk is inserted as the amiga cannot handle the data rate of a normal high density disk drive. The power XL drive instead has a buffer, and this destroys the accuracy of the information we are reading.
  • For 5.25” floppies, you will need a compatible Amiga 5.25” drive, these are quite rare but do exist. You will need to make sure you have the latest version of the disk imaging software which supports 40 track devices. It is currently NOT possible to image 1.2MB High Densiry 5.25” disks.
  • You can image 3” disks (commonly used for the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC) using a special adaptor and a 3” disk drive.

Can I image games using my PC? / When will a PC disk imaging tool be available?

While this is always in the back of our minds, it is not yet being activly developed, therefore there is no timescales on this. If this situation changes, this FAQ will be updated, and news will be posted on the homepage.

What about using a Catweasel Mk4 to image disks on a PC?

Unfortunately not. More details about this can be read here.

I cannot meet the disk imaging requirements. Could I just send the disks to you?

If you do not have the required hardware, and do not know anybody else who does, you can arrange this with us directly, please contact us.

I have imaged my disks using your tool. How do I make IPF files from them?

It is not possible for contributors to do this, it is a very complicated process. What happens is disk images are submitted to us, and our technical members create the IPF‘s only if the disks they were taken from are 100% correct and authentic. This is explained in much detail here.

I have some ADF files of games on your wanted list. Shall I send them to you?

No, ADF files are not suitable for preservation, please see this link for further info.

I imaged a game ages ago. Why hasn't it been released?

This disk is either not yet supported (we havent managed to remaster it yet), your disk was modified, or it was otherwise bad. Rest assured if a good copy gets dumped, you will receive the preserved file from your contribution.

What about box scans/manuals etc?

Boxes and manuals get battered, lost or broken, just like disks do. Therefore everything that came with a game should be preserved. This of course requires co-operation with people to get these boxes and manuals scanned, and scanning takes a lot of time.

We will release scans as soon as they are ready - time permitting. If you are interested in scanning something, please check the games page to see both what we need, and what have already. If you have something particular you want to do, and it is not on the games page, it is probably best to drop us a mail just in case the scans have been submitted before we have had a chance to update the page.

For an in-depth tutorial to how we wish to accept material for scanning, you can refer to the SPS Scanning Guidelines (Version 2.01).