Converting Commodore Files to PC Format

By Dick Estel

Some of you reading this are probably like me – you don’t use your Commodore anymore, having moved on to a Windows PC. Some don’t even have Commodore equipment any longer.

What you DO have are some disks of text files that you created with Speedscript, The Write Stuff or some other Commodore word processor. These may be a diary of your trip to the Grand Canyon, a stab at the Great American Novel, or just records, letters, and the other typical stuff we do on the computer. Whatever it is, you’d like to be able to read it and print it out again.

That’s where Big Blue Reader comes to the rescue. This commercial program runs on the C64 or C128, and converts Commodore files to PC format and vice versa. Of course, “runs on the C64” means you either need to have your old classic in working shape, or know someone who does.

BBR is relatively simple to use, and all required entries and actions are indicated on screen, with one important exception.

The program requires a 1571, 1581 or comparable third party drive, and let’s face it, you’re probably not using a PC that has any place to stick a 5.25” disk, so a 3.5” drive is a necessity. 

The first step is to choose the appropriate drive In/Out settings, and to select the correct format for each drive (CBM or PC). For example, I usually convert from a 1571 with CBM files to PC format on a 1581. Next you must load the directory, and choose the desired files, all guided by on-screen prompts. Once you’ve done this, you’re at a loss if you don’t have documentation or a friend who knows the secret – press the up arrow key (next to Restore) to launch the conversions.

You’re given the choice of keeping the original file names or entering them yourself. Here’s where things get tricky. I always choose the original name option, but the program was written in the old days of eight character DOS file names with a three character extension (e.g. DIARY98.TXT). No matter what the file name is, the program will select the first eight characters (eliminating spaces and any characters that are not alpha or numeric). Since Commodore users were used to using 16-character file names, you often find yourself with duplicate names, so you have to enter an alternative name.

For example, names such as SUMMER TRIP 1, SUMMER TRIP 2, would both be converted TO SUMMERTR, and you would have to rename the second and subsequent duplicates. I just delete the last character and add a number (e.g. SUMMERT2). I also add the .TXT extension since it makes it easier to use the files on the PC.

The program operates in computer memory only (no disk access other than loading the files), so if there are a lot of files or large files, it will load as many as possible, do the conversion, then load the next batch until the job is completed.

Big Blue Reader includes several utilities, the most useful of which is the ability to format a 3.5” disk for the PC. Since the 1581 drive requires 800K disks, this is very useful. I’ve found that my newer PC does not want to format a disk at less than 1.2Mb, which is not recognized in the 1581.

A number of options are available when converting. When the program boots, you can choose “screen code” as the source. This is helpful with The Write Stuff, Speedscript, and other Commodore word processors that save files in this format. During conversion, you can choose to have the files changed to standard ASCII, which is the normal format for text files. 

If you are converting non-text files, then you answer “no” to this question. This lets you convert any kind of file, but the end use of such files is limited. You can’t convert PacMan and expect to run it on a PC. Instead, this option is intended to allow you to upload or download Commodore files via the PC.

Big Blue Reader is no longer supported by its creator, but you can probably find used copies (possibly without documentation). There is also a free public domain program, Little Red Reader, that performs the same tasks. I’ve never used it, so I don’t know if it’s as functional as BBR, but it IS an option.


(The Fresno Commodore User Group offers file conversion service at a nominal cost; for details log on to www.dickestel.com/fileconvert.htm). In addition, we’ll be happy to provide answers and advice via Email to webhost@dickestel.com.