@sixtimesseven
The stuff I downloaded some time ago from your links consists of 2 zip's: one contains a file created with "EasUS_Clone" - useless. The other seems to contain, file by file, the content of the instruments C drive. As I don't know how you created that, I cannot say if files (hidden / system files) are missing. It might be possible to re - create the disk by
- partitioning the new disk (CF or mechanical) using fdisk or whatever other tool
- creating a MBR using the same tool
- marking the first partition as bootable
- formatting the first partition with
(probably VFAT)
- copying the a.m. files back into that partition.
As said, that may work, but only if nothing is missing.
What I would do first, if the rotten HD still has some life, connect it to a linux box and copy the whole disk with dd into a file, using the "conv=noerror" directive to continue after read errors. The file can then be mounted as a file system, and analyzed. Maybe with what you already have, and rescue that way, the original content can be reconstructed.
Of course, things would be much easier if somebody had an undamaged image...
And for me (also having a ZVCE with crashed HD, but the old version, 486 CPU / DOS/Windows 3.1) an image of that Version would essentially be a late Christmas gift.
What I learned from the discussion in this forum (various threads) and other sources seems to be:
1) First make sure, that your replacement disk (be it CF or a real HD) is recognized by your instrument. Boot DOS from a Floppy, and see if Drive C is present.
2) If you own any R&S instrument from that time (ZVxy, FSEx, FSIQ, probably others) back up the HD TODAY. The question is not if it will fail, only when. These disks are way beyond there expected life, have thousands of hours on them, or years of sitting around unused. I don't know, what is worse.
3) it is possible to replace the original HD with a CF in an adaptor, but not every CF and every adaptor will work.