[Revised Jan 04]
Backups are often made to the IO-Mega Zip drive.
- Internal in which case it looks like a floppy disk drive built into the computer. or rarely;
- External which plugs into the printer port.
Blank drive
If the Zip disk is not inserted when a backup is requested, Windows will blank the drive path (E.g. will blank out the D:, E: or F: etc). Next time a backup is made Windows will not know where to find the Zip drive and it will have to be reset.
To Find the path (letter) for the Zip drive.
1. If you do not know what the path is (usually D: or E: or F:) , you can find out by using Windows 'Explorer';
Bring up the Windows 'Start button', 'Programs' , 'Explorer'.
2. Under the LHS column will list 'My computer' with a list of disk drives such as
- '3.5 inch floppy [A:]
- 'Windows 95 drive [C:]
- 'Zip drive [D:]
or
- 'CD drive [D:]'
- 'Zip drive [E:]' etc
- and printers etc.
The actual names and drives letters will vary, but it should be possible to identify the drive letter of the IO mega zip drive. The Zip drive could be called 'IO mega' or 'Zip drive' or 'Removable hard drive' or similar. You may need to scroll down, but should be able to find it under a meaningful name. The Zip is likely to be on D:, E: or F:.
To reset the Zip drive path
In the program 'Start menu' Tools, Backup, and observe the drive showing as 'Backup to...'. If necessary click on the button to the right and pull down a list, and click on the correct drive.
It is important that the backup is made to the Zip and is not going somewhere else or you will not be getting a true backup.
Usually the last drive on the list is the Zip. After changing the drive letter, always confirm that it is working correctly by watching for the Zip light to flash while the backup is being made.
Zip drive letter not retained
If a Zip disk drive letter won't stick (changes spontaneously), a known cause is set to "cable select" rather than "master".
Switching to 'Master' solves it.
Disk won't come out
On internal zip drives there is a hole in the top LHS (of the face into which you insert the disk) of the drive. Insert a paper clip into this hole to trigger the disk ejection.
External drive have a similar hole on the back.
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