Mitel systems originally used floppy diskettes for both PBX software and the customer database.  Mitel started with the 5.25" (soft) floppy, evolved to the 3.5" (hard) floppy, then to flash media and now Mitels use more modern flash media or hard drives.

Because Mitel systems with both the 5.25" and the 3.5" floppy diskettes are still in use today, knowing how to image those diskettes for duplication is still necessary.  To accomplish this task, I use a small program called "Floppy Image."  This program looks like abandon-ware originally from www.rundegren.com.  I use v1.5.2 because it suits my needs.  There is a newer version available, but it is cumbersome because it requires installing software.  v1.5.2 features a handy stand-alone executable!  This software is not free, so if you don't have a copy, you'll need to purchase a license.  It looks like the new version is available from: http://www.towodo.com/products/floppyimage/

Having a 'Read Floppy' process complete successfully does not necessarily indicate that the source diskette is good, but if the process fails you can be assured the source diskette was corrupt!  If your 'Read Floppy' process completed AND your source diskettes can boot a PBX, THEN you have good indications that your images are reliable.

When you run the application, It presents you with two primary options: Read Floppy and Write Floppy.  When you're pulling a backup, you'll need to stick to the Read Floppy section in the top half of the application.  Otherwise you risk losing the data on your diskette! Looking at the program window on the right, start by clicking the top browse button.  From here, you choose a storage location, and give your floppy image a name.  After doing so, you'll have an option to put a note on the image reminding you what it is (see far right).  Now just click 'Start!'

If you've already made images and want to restore them to new diskettes, you just follow the same basic process, but from the bottom half of the application.