Iomega Zip drive?

[Michael Rowley]

My old computer (made in 2000) has a 250 Mbyte Iomega Zip drive, which I found useful; my new computer (made a fortnight ago) hasn't, though it can write to CD etc. disks. I'm thinking of getting a Zip drive for the new one, but wonder if there's a better way for storage of comparatively small numbers of files: what do you think?

[don Arnoldy]

My old computer (made in 2000) has a 250 Mbyte Iomega Zip drive, which I found useful; my new computer (made a fortnight ago) hasn't, though it can write to CD etc. disks. I'm thinking of getting a Zip drive for the new one, but wonder if there's a better way for storage of comparatively small numbers of files: what do you think?For long-term storage, I use CDs. For temporary storage or transporting files, I use flash drives.

[terrie]

michael: I'm thinking of getting a Zip drive for the new one, but wonder if there's a better way for storage of comparatively small numbers of files: what do you think? I finally got around to selling both my Zip drives and associated disks about 8 months ago.

For a large volume of files--backing up my imaging work--I use DVD and for a smaller number, CD. For just a few files--quickie copying of files from my old system to my new or taking a few files to add to my sister's laptop--I use a USB flash drive...wonderful little thingies...'-}}

Flash drives have gotten quite inexpensive...I think you can probably get a relatively decent 1gb drive for under $20-$25--not sure what that would be in Euros or Pounds but cheap basically...

I was surprised that anyone would want my Zip drives--did it on ebay--but I priced them well and I sold each drive (one 100mb drive and one 250mb drive) with about 10-15 Zip disks each. I think I got about $30-$40 for each one (including the shipping)...

Terrie

[Michael Rowley]

Terrie & Don A.:

For just a few files--quickie copying of files from my old system to my new or taking a few files to add to my sister's laptop--I use a USB flash drive

Everyone seems to be using flash drives, CDs, and even DVDs these days; it seems that I have become a fossil, for the only things I have abandoned are floppies. But even for my last computer I should have to get a USB hub, for it's only got two USB sockets, both occupied. My last three computers have got Zip drives, and only the newest of them has USB.

[terrie]

michael: Everyone seems to be using flash drives, CDs, and even DVDs these days; it seems that I have become a fossil, for the only things I have abandoned are floppies.ROFL!!! I do know exactly what you mean! I sold the Zip drives with some reluctance and I don't use the flash drive the way my sister or one of my neighbors does but they are handy to have and once you start using them, they do become quite handy...'-}}


>> But even for my last computer I should have to get a USB hub, for it's only got two USB sockets, both occupied. My last three computers have got Zip drives, and only the newest of them has USB.

I think that one of the reasons I didn't use the flash drive that much and waited for quite a long time before buying one (and I only bought the one I did because it was sooo inexpensive--$15) was because my usb ports on my old system were all USB1 (and inconveniently placed) and it took me a long time to get a USB2 card. A USB hub can be very handy--no more crawling around on the floor to plug something in--and most of them are not too pricey...

Terrie

[Steve Rindsberg]

If you're storing the files only temporarily, then the zip drive might make sense. But given how inexpensive CD blanks are, you can burn an awful lot of them for the cost of a single Zip cartridge, I'd think. And for reliability and longevity, I'd bet on the CDs.

And as Don says, thumb drives for short-term storage seem a good buy.

[iamback]

I still have a ZIP drive but haven't used it for ages. The cost of the media (per mb) is way too high to continue to use it. I still have an archive on ZIP disks - once I have transferred that onto CD/DVDs the ZIP drive will go.

[Michael Rowley]

Steve:

If you're storing the files only temporarily, then the zip drive might make sense

I'm mainly concerned with transferring files from my last computer; once that's done, I shan't need it that often, if at all. But not everyone has CD writer, and even 250 Mbyte is a lot of room for most files: it seems to me that generally, using a CD is like hiring a 10-ton lorry to take a week's groceries home! But, as you say, CDs are cheap . . .

[don Arnoldy]

I'm mainly concerned with transferring files from my last computerIf that is your primary concern, then there are even more options.

I would connect the two computers ethernet-port to ethernet-port with a cross-over cable and transfer the files directly.

You could remove the hard drive from the old computer, install it in the new computer, then transfer the files across the internal bus. Then put the old drive back into the old computer if you want.

[Steve Rindsberg]

Not everyone has a CD writer, but how many won't have a CD reader?

And in any case, your odds of finding a CD reader/writer are more than just a wee bit better than finding a working 250mb Zip drive. ;-)

There are also external USB CD readers and/or writers in case you're stuck dealing with a computer that doesn't have a CD.

But if you're just moving files from an old HDD to the new one, and if you can remove the HDD from the old computer w/o too much trouble, you might want to spend US$20 worth of Euro on something like this:

http://www.byteccusa.com/product/adapter/BT-200/BT-200.htm

You plug one end of this litte rig into the HDD (sitting bare on any convenient surface) and the other end into the USB port on your new computer and voila, the old HDD appears as though an external USB drive. Which it is. Copy away.

I bought one on a "Oooo, that might be handy some day" whim and I've used it several times already to recover data from a good hard drive in a failed laptop and also from a failing but still usable hard drive in a good laptop.

[Michael Rowley]

Steve:

your odds of finding a CD reader/writer are more than just a wee bit better than finding a working 250mb Zip drive

Actually, in my office the score is 256 Mbyte Zip drives 3, CD writer 1; or CD writer 2, if you count my wife's laptop. But the Bytec sounds interesting, if it supplies in England (or even if it doesn't, because it's a Canadian company, and my youngest daughter and my second cousin are both Canadians).

Putting my old computer's hard disk in a case with USB sounds promising too, as cases for an (P)ATA-driven disk are available, although they cost £30 or £40. What about transferring via a radio link? I've got a radio router, which connects my computers to my cable connector.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

I have one of those Bytec units -- I paid a little more for the 300 unit which adds SATA to the hard drive compatibility -- and it works like a charm although the connections can be excessively difficult to push home! I'm not alone in experiencing this.

But very useful to have in one's tool kit. I used it to transfer my son's files from the old T20 Thinkpad that had lost its monitor to a new Compaq -- and to my desktop for backup.

[Michael Rowley]

Hugh:

I have one of those Bytec units -- I paid a little more for the 300 unit which adds SATA to the hard drive compatibility -- and it works like a charm although the connections can be excessively difficult to push home! I'm not alone in experiencing this.

But very useful to have in one's tool kit. I used it to transfer my son's files from the old T20 Thinkpad that had lost its monitor to a new Compaq -- and to my desktop for backup.

I'm convinced about the Bytecc unit, but it doesn't seem to be available over here. A pity, since it seems useful. How heavy is it? Perhaps I'll have to get it sent from Canada; I suppose it's the BT-200 I need.

[BobRoosth]

I have a different brand with the same sort of connections: IDE, laptop IDE and SATA. The USB part is very light. Mine came with a power brick for powering 3.5" IDE devices. That weighs a few ounces. I recently had to get an old ZIP-100 drive to work and found it would not work with this sort of adapter. Had to mount it in a case designed for external CD drives. No idea why. Every now and again USB-connected drives don't work for me. Never know why.

You might search for the function rather than the name on your side of the pond.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Not even from Dabs?

Have a look on www.NewEgg.com (http://www.NewEgg.com) to find different makes and/or do a Google.

I've an idea that someone here bought theirs from Amazon so you could try AmazonUK?

I have some SATA hard drives and they are the future interface so I wanted that in addition to IDE laptop and desktop sizes.

http://www.byteccusa.com/product/adapter/BT-300/BT-300.htm

And this is a link to a Google list that shows some other makes.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-41,GGLD:en&q=USB+2%2e0+to+IDE%2fSATA+Adapter

Maplin UK have some although this one does not include a powerbrick which I think is essential especially if you might want to plug the USB cable into a laptop since they may not supply as much power as a desktop USB connection and so the drive may not work.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48965&C=Newsletter&U=08P02-2_S1&T=11900102

This one does have a powerbrick:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=220115&&source=14&doy=21m2

Hope that helps -- I'm sure you can find something. Check the Bytecc website for UK contacts?

[Steve Rindsberg]

A wireless router? As long as both computers can see the network (via wireless or wired) you should be able to share a drive from one computer and copy to/from it on the other. Depending on the Windows version, there can be user name issues and whatnot ... if you're not used to setting it up, a hardware solution can be simpler.

[Steve Rindsberg]

I have one of those Bytec units -- I paid a little more for the 300 unit which adds SATA to the hard drive compatibility -- and it works like a charm although the connections can be excessively difficult to push home! I'm not alone in experiencing this.

But very useful to have in one's tool kit. I used it to transfer my son's files from the old T20 Thinkpad that had lost its monitor to a new Compaq -- and to my desktop for backup.
Seconded on both points. And on your suggestion re getting one with the power brick.

[Michael Rowley]

Steve:

if you're not used to setting it up, a hardware solution can be simpler

You have a point! But I'll ask the daughter that set up the router to send to my old computer (via a wired connexion) and my wife's laptop.

[Michael Rowley]

Bob:

You might search for the function rather than the name on your side of the pond

Yes, but I haven't had any success so far; but I might have not used the right query.

[Michael Rowley]

Hugh:

Hope that helps -- I'm sure you can find something. Check the Bytecc website for UK contacts?

Those links are very helpful: thank you. The Bytecc site only gives US & Canadian distributors and retailers.

[Michael Rowley]

Bob:

Yes, but I haven't had any success so far; but I might have not used the right query.

(Later)
I've found that looking for 'ide adapters' (and 'ide adaptors') does the trick; but Bytecc doesn't turn up, and not all of them supply power.