Zip drives - Did I miss something

[danpayer]

I want to install Partition Magic on this big hard drive
but before I do I know I need to backup. I thought I could
use my parallel port Zip drive.

As I started shuffling files around getting things ready
Windows Explorer began crashing with regularity. I
installed the Iomegaware with the parallel port upgrade
just to be sure. This didn't help. Everytime I moved a
file Windows Explorer crashed.

Sort of cancels the plan to use the Zip for backup.

Did I goof, or miss the announcement, or is WinXP and Zip
drives just incompatible? Guess I better not pull out
that old Ditto drive....
dan

 

[IanR]

You tried running a windows update to see if there are
any updates which might fix it?

 

[Nathan McNulty]

Windows is compatible with Zip Drives. It just sounds like the drivers
for the Zip drive weren't installed right or something went wrong with
that whole process. I would uninstall the software and try downloading
and installing the latest drivers/software from IOMega.

Just a last question: Do you not have a CD Burner? You may want to look
into buying one for data backup. They are very inexpensive (around
$20-$30 for a good one).

 

[Eric P.]

Some time ago I tried my old Iomega Parallel Zip 100 with success in
Windows XP Home.
Avoid using any Iomega Zip software.

I copied some info I used at the time:

http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/10127.html

STEP FOUR - Enable the legacy plug and play in Device Manager

1. Right-click the My Computer icon and then click Manage.

Note: In Windows XP, you will need to click Start and then
right-click the My Computer icon.
2. Click the plus (+) symbol next to System Tools.

3. Double-click Device Manager.

4. Click the plus (+) symbol next to Ports.

5. Double-click the Printer Port icon.

6. Click the Port Settings tab.

7. Within the Filter Resource Method box, click Use any interrupt
assigned to port.

8. Click Enable legacy plug and play detection to place a check mark.

9. Click OK and then close the Computer Management Window.

10. Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

11. Double-click the My Computer icon.

Note: In Windows XP, you will need to click Start and then click
the My Computer icon.

If your Zip drive is listed with a drive letter, you are
now ready to use your drive.

If your Zip drive is not listed with a drive letter
assigned, please continue with the next step.


STEP FIVE - Change the parallel port mode in the computer setup (BIOS)

Some parallel port mode settings may not allow your Zip drive and
computer to communicate properly. On most computers, the parallel port
mode can be changed in the computer setup.

1. Refer to the documentation that came with your computer or
contact the computer manufacturer for instructions on accessing your
computer setup.

2. Locate the parallel port mode setting.

3. Set the Parallel port to Enabled.

4. Set the Mode to EPP or bi-directional.

5. Set the I/O (Input/Output) address to 378.

6. Set the Interrupt to IRQ 7.

7. Save changes and exit out of the computer setup.

8. Restart your computer.

9. Double-click the My Computer icon to verify there is a Zip drive
with a letter assigned.

Note: In Windows XP, you will need to click Start and then click
the My Computer icon.

If your Zip drive is listed with a drive letter, you are now ready to
use your drive.

 

[danpayer]

Just went to windows update. Nothing there that seemed fix
this problem. thanks anyway.
dan

 

[danpayer]

You can do that? I might be able to pull one from another
machine. (Oops that one is SCSI). Anyway, tell me more.
What do you do, write an image file than copy it to a disc?

I'm going to use the old Zip drive til I figure out the
answer. The thing's been around for years and I'm not
about to let it beat me now.

Thanks for that suggestion. Never knew....
dan

 

[danpayer]

Thank you much. I can see my first and biggest mistake
was installing the Iomega software. It was always so
essential when the drives first came out. In fact you
couldn't use 'em without it.

I'll put these steps to work and let you know.

dan

 

[ray]

My zip 100 drives work with my machines using win xp but
one is an ide drive and the other is a usb drive. If you
can maybe convert it to a usb then maybe it will work for
you.

 

[Eric P.]

Also you can't connect a printer together with the ZIP 100 drive anymore
to the parallel port in Windows XP.