Format & Media Migration Service
Library to pilot data conversion service for faculty
Do you have important information in digital form that you can no longer
access? Perhaps you have data stored on old style floppy disks but no longer
have the requisite disk drive for them. Or you may have saved word processing
files but the software needed to read the files is long
since obsolete.
Cornell University Library’s Research & Assessment Services is conducting a one-year pilot project to identify the need for and processes involved with offering a data conversion service to rescue information stored on obsolete media or formats. This service will be free to faculty on a limited basis during this pilot.
Initially the service will be able to migrate data from certain types of older removable media to CD-R media or files that can be transferred across the campus network. (See the FAQ below for more details about the types of media we can handle.)
Files created with obsolete software will be converted to a readable file format when possible. For example, the text from a document that you created in a now defunct word processing format will be saved in a current format while preserving as many of the original attributes as possible. (See the FAQ below for more details about the types of files we can handle.)
Please note that we are not able to offer "data rescue" services. Storage media may be obsolete but must be in reasonably good condition. If your media is unreadable we may not be able to restore the data. However, we will provide contact information for services that do provide data rescue, as well as tips to prevent media damage and obsolescence in the future.
If you would like more information about this service see the FAQ below. If you need additional information or would like to register your data for inclusion in the pilot project, please:
fill out the Request Form
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this service?
The File Format and Media Migration pilot service provides resources and assistance to Cornell faculty who need to move digital information from obsolete media (e.g. floppy disks) to more modern media (e.g. CDs), and when possible, from obsolete file formats to currently supported ones.
Who is providing this service, and why?Cornell University Library (CUL) IRIS Research and Assessment Services is keenly aware of the burgeoning problem of digital data loss due to obsolescence. Rapidly evolving technology has sometimes left important data on older style media, but the drives required to read them are no longer available. Files written with older file formats may become unusable once the software needed to open them becomes obsolete. With an ongoing commitment to research and policy development for digital preservation, Research and Assessment Services started the File Format and Media Migration pilot service to determine the extent that these problems affect the Cornell community, to provide assistance with migrating digital information onto modern media, to foster awareness of the threat of technological obsolescence, and to promote best practices to avoid the loss of digital information.
Who can use this service?Informational resources posted on our website are available to the public, however, the migration service is only available for Cornell University faculty at this time.
How can I use your service?You may submit a request online on our website <http://www.library.cornell.edu/iris/migration/>. You will need to provide a description of your old media and files as we are not equipped to handle every type of media and file format. Once we determine that we are able to work with your files we will arrange to have your media picked up or delivered to our office. Most migrations requests can be handled within two weeks. Your original media will be returned to you, along with the migrated and/or converted files, assuming we are able to process them. In most cases, the new files will be provided on writable CDs. We can also write to other media, but may ask you to provide it if the quantity is great.
What kinds of media can you handle?Currently we are equipped to handle 5.25" floppy diskettes (from PCs running DOS or Windows, as well as some older systems, especially CP/M); 3.5" floppy diskettes (including most older Mac and PC formats); and a few other removable media such as 100Mb and 250 Mb Zip disks and 44 Mb Syquest cartridges (for Mac and PC). We will explore adding support for additional media types based on demand and availability of necessary hardware. Please contact us with your specific needs.
What kinds of files can you handle?We are able to convert data files produced by older versions of many currently popular productivity applications as well as those from some applications that are no longer available. We are making a particular effort to support applications that were once popular at Cornell, such as WordPerfect for DOS and WriteNow! for Macintosh. Our focus is on the DOS, Windows, and classic MacOS environments.
Please keep in mind that file format conversion does not always guarantee that all characteristics of the original file can be migrated forward. If complete fidelity of appearance is essential, we may be able to provide screen dumps or printouts that are correctly rendered, even if we cannot convert the files to a more modern format. Please inform us of your specific needs.
If you are not able to migrate my files, what other alternatives do I have?If we are unable to take your media for migration, we may be able to point you to resources within or external to the Cornell community that can help. Campus-based user groups or CIT personnel may be able to help you locate the hardware or software that you need. Outside data conversion companies advertise that they can handle most kinds of media and file formats, although costs can range from $15-25 per disk for simple conversions to over $250 per disk for more complex conversions.
Will my original data be preserved?We take several precautions to minimize any risk of data loss. We will visually inspect your media to check for overt signs of damage. We will utilize the write-protection features of your original media and use the originals to create a back up set of disks from which we will perform other migration and reformatting tasks. Despite these precautions, we cannot guarantee that we can prevent data loss. Any media that requires physical contact with the drive presents a risk of damage from even a single read operation. In some cases, a disk may not be readable even before it reaches our workstation due to, for example, physical damage not externally visible, bad sectors, or corruption of the directory structures. Age, handling, and storage environment can cause this kind of damage. We are not equipped to perform data recovery from damaged media, but may be able to refer you to commercial outfits that specialize in such services.
How much does it cost?We are conducting the File Format and Media Migration Service as a pilot project to assess the demand and the need for such a service in the Cornell community. At present, the service is free, however, we reserve the right to limit the amount data submitted by any one individual, or to charge cost recovery fees for larger orders.
If you would like more information about this service or if you would like to register your data for inclusion in the pilot project, please: