Operating your Zip® 250MB Drive

 

To use the Zip drive, insert a 250MB* Zip disk, then select the drive letter assigned to the Zip drive in My Computer (Windows 95/98; Windows NT 4.0) or File Manager (Windows NT 3.51; Windows 3.1). You can store and copy files to and from the Zip drive using the same methods you use for other drives on your system. (If you need instructions on how to copy files, refer to the help file for your operating system.)

*250MB or 100MB capacity where 1MB = 1 million bytes. The capacity reported by your operating system may vary. Use 250MB Zip disks for maximum performance.

 

Inserting Zip® Disks

Always turn on power to the computer before inserting a Zip disk. When you insert a Zip disk, the drive activity light will flash momentarily and go out. (If the light continues to blink slowly, push the disk eject button to eject the Zip disk, then reinsert it.)

Never put anything into your Zip drive except Zip disks with the genuine Zip 250 or Zip 100 symbol. Using disks that do not have the genuine Zip symbol may cause damage to your drive or loss of data.

 

Ejecting Zip® Disks

Windows 95/98 systems – Push the disk eject button or use the Iomega software eject command, which is available by right clicking on the Zip icon on the desktop or under My Computer.

Windows NT systems – Use the Iomega software eject command.

Windows 3.1 systems – Push the disk eject button.

When your Zip drive is not in use, remove the disk from the drive. Never move your computer with a Zip disk inserted.

 

Disk Eject in Case of Power Loss

The computer must be powered on for normal disk insertion and removal. If you need to eject a Zip® disk during a power failure, access the rear of the Zip drive and push a straightened paper clip into the emergency eject hole which is located just above the power connector (see illustration below).

Disconnect power from the computer before using the emergency disk eject hole. Do not try to forcibly remove a Zip disk from the drive. If the disk does not eject immediately, repeat the emergency disk eject procedure as described above.

 

Drive Sleep

The Zip Internal drive has an automatic sleep mode that spins down a Zip disk after 15 minutes of inactivity. This feature minimizes power consumption when the Zip drive is not being accessed. The Zip disk automatically spins up again when the drive is accessed.

You can use the Iomega Tools program included with your drive to change the drive sleep setting. Refer to the Iomega Tools help file included in your software package for additional information.

 

Compatibility with 100MB Zip® Disks

The 250MB Zip drive features backward compatibility that allows you to read and write 100MB Zip disks. However, because of the higher capacity of the 250MB Zip drive, performance when writing to a 100MB Zip disk is significantly reduced. This means that a large file that takes 10 seconds to write to a 250MB Zip disk could take about a minute-and-a-half to write to a 100MB Zip disk (using your 250MB Zip ATAPI drive to write both disks).

To maximize performance of your 250MB Zip drive, you should use 250MB Zip disks whenever you want to store new information. If you have existing data on 100MB disks, you can transfer it to 250MB Zip disks using Copy Machine. (Copy Machine does not ship with this software package, to obtain a copy of Copy Machine visit our web site at: http://www.iomega.com).

 

Here are some important things to know about using
250MB and 100MB Zip® disks and drives together:

If you write information to a 100MB Zip disk using a 250MB Zip drive and later find that the disk cannot be read by a 100MB Zip drive, try reading the disk again in your 250MB Zip drive.

If the 250MB Zip drive appears to hang when you are writing to a 100MB Zip disk, you can verify that the drive is operating correctly by checking that the green activity light is blinking irregularly. (A slow, steady blink may indicate a problem with the drive. If there is a slow, steady blink, try pushing the disk eject button to eject the disk, then reinserting it.)

You can use the Short Format option if you need to format a 100MB Zip disk in a 250MB Zip drive; the Long Format option is not supported for 100MB Zip disks in the 250MB Zip drive.

A 250MB Zip disk cannot be used in a 100MB Zip drive; the 100MB Zip drive will automatically reject a 250MB disk.

 

Zip® Tips

Here are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind to care for your Zip® drive and disks!

Always turn on power to your computer before inserting a Zip disk.
If a disk is inserted without the power on, and power is then applied, it could damage the drive.
Never force a Zip disk into or out of the drive.
Never use ordinary 3.5" diskettes or floppy head-cleaning disks in your Zip drive. They will damage your drive. Only use 250MB or 100MB Zip disks with the Zip logo on them.
Never put anything into your Zip drive except Zip disks with the genuine Zip 250 or Zip 100 symbol. Using disks that do not have the genuine Zip symbol may cause damage to your drive or loss of data.

Avoid exposing Zip disks to direct sunlight, high temperature, moisture, and magnetic fields (such as from monitors or speakers).