229

.229HP-229 Disk Image

Hewlett-Packard · 1983

Developer
Hewlett-Packard
Category
Disk Images
MIME Type
application/octet-stream
First Released
1983
Open Format
No
File Signature
No standard, widely recognized header signature for .229 files; often identified by file extension and context.
At a Glance
.229
HP-229 Disk Image

A .229 file is an older HP disk image format, typically used for creating bootable disks or backups on vintage HP systems.

Reviewed on May 6, 2026
Compression
Plain text
Transparency
No
Editability
Low
Best for
Disk imaging

Key Features

  • Sector-by-sector disk duplication
  • Used for bootable media and backups
  • Primarily associated with older HP systems
  • Raw binary format

Best For

  • Preserving the exact state of an old HP floppy disk
  • Creating bootable media for very specific vintage HP environments
  • Archival of original software distribution disks for historical purposes

Less Ideal For

  • Modern operating system backups
  • Storing individual files or folders
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Efficient storage of large amounts of data

Common Use Cases

  • Creating bootable floppy disks for HP computers
  • Archiving or backing up the contents of an entire floppy disk
  • Distributing software or operating system components for legacy HP hardware
  • System recovery and restoration on older HP machines

How to Open It

  1. Use specialized disk imaging or emulation software that supports legacy formats, such as 'DiskGenius' or potentially some features within '7-Zip' if it recognizes the underlying structure.
  2. Virtualization software like VMware or VirtualBox might allow you to mount raw disk images, though compatibility with .229 is not guaranteed.
  3. If you have access to vintage HP hardware that used this format, you might be able to use the original HP utilities designed for these disk images.

What is a .229 file?

The .229 file extension is primarily associated with Hewlett-Packard (HP) disk image files, often used for creating bootable disks or disk backups. These files contain a sector-by-sector copy of a floppy disk or other storage media. They were commonly used in conjunction with older HP computer systems and operating environments, particularly for software distribution and system recovery purposes. Due to their age and proprietary nature, .229 files are rarely encountered in modern computing environments.

Programs That Open .229 Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsDiskGeniusFree
7-ZipFree
macOSDisk Utility (limited support)FreeOfficial
Linuxdd command (raw copy)FreeOfficial

How to Convert .229 Files

FormatMethod
.ISODisk imaging software, Conversion utilities

Common Problems with .229 Files

⚠️ File cannot be opened or recognized by modern software.
Try using specialized legacy disk imaging or emulation software, or look for tools that can convert .229 to a more common format like .ISO.
⚠️ Data corruption in the image file.
If possible, try to create a fresh disk image from the original source. If the source is unavailable, data recovery attempts might be challenging due to the raw, sector-based nature of the file.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a .229 file?

A .229 file is a disk image created by Hewlett-Packard, containing a direct sector-by-sector copy of a floppy disk, typically used for bootable media or backups on older HP computers.

Can I open a .229 file on Windows 10 or macOS?

Direct opening is unlikely. You'll likely need specialized disk imaging software or virtualization tools that support older, proprietary formats.

Is .229 a common file format today?

No, .229 is a very old and niche format, primarily relevant for historical computing or specialized archival tasks related to vintage HP systems.

Technical Details

HP-229 disk images are essentially raw binary copies of the original disk sectors. They do not employ sophisticated compression algorithms or complex file structures. The format captures the entire disk layout, including boot sectors and file system information, directly as a bitstream. This direct sector-level replication makes them precise but also limited in flexibility compared to modern disk imaging solutions.

Did You Know?

The .229 format's age means it predates many common file system features and compression techniques we use today.
Its proprietary nature made it tightly integrated with specific HP hardware and software environments, limiting its interoperability.

Security Information

As a disk image format, .229 files can potentially contain malicious software or boot sectors if the original source disk was compromised. Exercise caution when opening them, especially if their origin is unknown. Always scan files with reputable antivirus software.

Related Extensions