How to dump FDS games without an old DOS computer!

[zmaster18]

I was wondering if it is possible to dump FDS games with FDS Loader without an old computer with a parallel port. Instead, you could use a laptop with a parallel port to USB adapter cable and emulate DOS on the laptop with software. Is this possible? Please let me know before I buy the cables!

[ericj]

Nope, it won't work with a usb to parallel converter.

[zmaster18]

Dang... Where does one buy a compatible computer? 

[ericj]

If you're in the US, have a look on craigslist or in a second-hand shop.

And, just checking, but you probably mean "write" disks, not "dump" them, right? I'm assuming so since there aren't any sellers with the dump version of the FDSLoader cable. But, if you do have some unique disks that you need dumped, I can do that for you.

[zmaster18]

Ah yes I did mean write. And are written disks fully operational in regular disk systems? Even if the 2 bytes of security information is missing?

[ericj]

Rewritten disks work fine in the regular disk systems.

[zmaster18]

What if I were to buy a computer like this:

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computers-Dell-620-Mini-Ultra-SSF-2-8-intel-2gb-80gbHD-HTPC-XBMC-W0QQAdIdZ334758680

The description says it runs Windows XP, but the machine still has a parallel port. Can I still use or emulate DOS on this computer?

[P]

There's no need to buy such a powerful and expensive computer just for FDSloadr. There's no guarantee that it will work with it either. Also that computer doesn't seem to have a floppy drive which you might need to install DOS (although FreeDOS may be installed from a CD I think). FDSloadr is said to need a pure DOS environment (DOS 6.22 and bellow or FreeDOS) so no emulation or virtualisation.

Here is a list of some working and non-working computers http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10124#p112587 you can find more useful info in that thread as well. Laptops generally doesn't work but sometimes does.
It seems like computers bellow 1GHz generally works better.

[zmaster18]

I just want to have the ability to rewrite games if I ever purchase games that either don't work, or don't match what is on the disk label. Do you think pawn shops have DOS computers? Or are they too old that they wouldn't even be for sell in second hand stores? Or can I just get any 90's computer with a parallel port and that can run FreeDOS?

[P]

Or can I just get any 90's computer with a parallel port and that can run FreeDOS?

Yes, any IBM compatible PC can run DOS as far as I know.

[jamesholodnak]

You might want to check this out, writing with audio!  Reading works the same, only backwards!  I have gotten it working with much success.

http://forums.nesdev.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9909

[ericj]

Looks interesting, but a bit time consuming to dump and write disks. Nevertheless, I may give this a try in the next few weeks and see if I can get it working.