Can't See Files on Zip Drive

Cary,

I do not know why the files are not available, I recently moved my ancient zip from a Win95 machine to a XP machine with no problem (parallel connection). Perhaps it's a USB problem, I would look there first, maybe a setting that is not enabled.

However, I do know about your problem with the context menu (right click) eject and format options. XP uses its own drivers to run the Zip, that's why the Zip will run on the 8400 without having installed any software (in the old days Zips would not work at all without an installation disc).

What you need is "Iomega Active Disk' availiable from Iomega -

http://www.iomega.com/software/index.html

This might even solve your file viewing problem, but I doubt it, it should just add functionality to your context menu.

Take care,


Steve

Cary,
Dumb question: have you tried a different USB port on your 8400, in case there's something flaking about that one?

I also have problems with (internal) Zip 250 drive on new Dimension 8400 so perhaps there is more generalized Dell/Iomega/Microsoft problem. I can only eject disks via software and not by the manual eject botton. The button works ok until I see the Windows XP splash screen during boot-up and then it stops working. So something that loads may be causing problems with zip drives. I can see my files ok.

Vaguely remembering reading somewhere (Dell forum? Iomega site?) about solving the grayed out software eject problem so check around.

Good Luck!
RoHe

Hi,

If the Zip drive is fully USB powered, you might try using a powered USB hub.

Lack of power on the USB bus may cause the drive to not have enough power to run properly.

Ceri

Dumb question: have you tried a different USB port on your 8400, in case there's something flaking about that one?
----------------------------------

Rohe,  Not a dumb question at all.  I did that, and it had no effect.  Should have mentioned that originally.

Ceri:  The Zip with the problem is one of the clunky old blue ones that has a power brick, so power doesn't seem to be a problem.

I also tried formatting a zip disk in another (working) zip drive and then trying that disk in the drive with the problem.  No cigar.  I keep trying to think of some obvious reason why files would be invisible because of some setting, but I can't think of anything that wouldn't cause the same problem with all disks.  The disks are definitely not protected, and the files are normal document ones.

I appreciate all your responses very much.

Cary

Cary,
(I tried to post this already, but it didn't show up, so it might eventually appear 2X.)

Are you certain Zip is being assigned valid drive letter, even though it appears in Windows Explorer? Go to Iomega's site to find a cure if that's the issue.

If it has valid drive letter, can you save a file (drop/drag or from within an app) to it and see the file in directory? Better try this with blank disk, just in case.

Note in Iomega user manual says Zip may not be recognized correctly if the drive is connected before the software was installed. So unplug drive from USB, go to Add/Remove and remove all Iomega stuff and then reinstall. If that doesn't help, double-click My Computer and right click Zip icon (this does *not* work from desktop shortcut). Select Properties, and on Tools tab click Check Now to see if it reports any errors on your disks. On Iomega tab, click Drive and Disk buttons to see if there are any indications of the problem.

Is it possible your files are marked "hidden" and the 8400 hasn't been set to show hidden files?

RoHe

RoHe,

I will try the things you mention when I get back to the machine.  I hadn't thought about the drive letter assignment being invalid, so that will be the first thing I try. 

I am away from home for the moment, but will return late this weekend.  I'll report in a couple of days when I can try those things. 

Thanks again.

Cary