Left disk in machine with power off.

[Stephen P. Stoffer]

I made the occasional mistake of leaving my Zip disks in my Iomega Zip 250
ATAPI drive when the power was shut off. This often happened when my
computer suddenly freezes. I never thought that this was something that
could harm the drive and/or the disk. Recently I became curious after I came
across the disk utility "Trouble in Paradise" while browsing websites on Zip
products. ----> http://grc.com. I installed the free utility and now I am
observing alarming results on some of my Zip disks. Should I replace the
drive? It all seems to work fine...for now at least. I am not unfamiliar
with failed Zip drives and damaged disks. I was working with one once at my
mother's business when suddenly without warning it failed. I could not read
any more disks I inserted, in fact, it damaged them. I couldn't read them on
any compatible Zip drive! (I learned later that my mother once dropped the
drive onto a thick carpeted floor from a height of about 3 feet. I am not
certain if this had anything to do with the drive failure).
I just recently purchased four 250 Megabyte Zip disks for about $50.00. I
am tempted to get this drive out of my machine before it does irreperable
damage to my archived data. How about the new 750 Megabyte Zip drive? Is it
any more reliable? Does it still experience the "Click of Death" syndrome? I
am heavily invested in Zip disks, I have more than 15. Please let me know,
or perhaps I should lick my wounds and suffer the monetary loss and avoid
all Zip drives. Need some advice, please answer.

Sincerely, Stephen

[Rick]

Post by Stephen P. Stoffer
I made the occasional mistake of leaving my Zip disks in my Iomega Zip 250
ATAPI drive when the power was shut off. This often happened when my
computer suddenly freezes. I never thought that this was something that
could harm the drive and/or the disk. Recently I became curious after I came
across the disk utility "Trouble in Paradise" while browsing websites on Zip
products. ----> http://grc.com. I installed the free utility and now I am
observing alarming results on some of my Zip disks.

Define "alarming results." What is TIP actually reporting?

TIP reporting isn't reliable when using 100 disks in a 250 drive due
to the difference in track width and head width between the two. 100
disks in a 250 drive are pseduo compatible at best. It works, but
it's a compromise because of the differences in track widths.

[Stephen P. Stoffer]

Post by Rick

Post by Stephen P. Stoffer
I made the occasional mistake of leaving my Zip disks in my Iomega Zip 250
ATAPI drive when the power was shut off. This often happened when my
computer suddenly freezes. I never thought that this was something that
could harm the drive and/or the disk. Recently I became curious after I came
across the disk utility "Trouble in Paradise" while browsing websites on Zip
products. ----> http://grc.com. I installed the free utility and now I am
observing alarming results on some of my Zip disks.

Define "alarming results." What is TIP actually reporting?
TIP reporting isn't reliable when using 100 disks in a 250 drive due
to the difference in track width and head width between the two. 100
disks in a 250 drive are pseduo compatible at best. It works, but
it's a compromise because of the differences in track widths.

-------------------------------------------------

Post by Rick
Define "alarming results." What is TIP actually reporting?
TIP reporting isn't reliable when using 100 disks in a 250 drive due
to the difference in track width and head width between the two. 100
disks in a 250 drive are pseduo compatible at best. It works, but
it's a compromise because of the differences in track widths.

-------------------------------------------------
I'm beginning to wonder if you are correct. It seems that just about every
100 Mb disk I scan with TIP seems to be in bad shape. Yet, the 250 Mb Zip
disks either have no problems or small in comparison. Yet, one disk, a 100
Mb cartridge, acted in a very, peculiar manner. It began to click repeatedly
as I transferred information from the disk to the Windows desktop. It
finally succeeded. Afterwards I disassembled the disk and observed both
sides of the magnetic disk. Almost nothing except for two noticable circular
concentric arc tracks on one side. I wonder just what those scratches may
indicate. Yet the drive works fine with every other disk whether 100 or 250
Mb. Just what does all this mean?

- Stephen