Zip discs

Thegingerbear

Does anyone know where I could download data from zip discs? I have about 10 such discs and I need to get the data off them. I used them about 7 years ago and was always meaning to take the data off them. Alternatively would buy a zip drive to plug into my lap top if they were available. Any help/advice greatly appreciated as I am on a deadline to complete the report.

Alun

There's a few for sale on adverts.ie right now! They're still used a lot in the music world for synthesizers I understand.

http://www.adverts.ie/191692/hardware/iomega-zip-100-drive/

http://www.adverts.ie/249639/peripherals/iomega-zip-drive-usb/

... and a few others too. Just search for zip drive.

softdancomputer

ebay - http://computers.shop.ebay.ie/Zip-Drives-/3757/i.html

Thegingerbear

Thanks guys, will have a look later. Do you know if any shops sell them on the high street?

spurious

I have an old zip drive you're welcome to for free if you collect it.

**edit**
It's a parallel connection, which may not suit a laptop.

the_syco

Based in Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Have a zip100 with a parallel connection. What make/model is the laptop? A lot of the older laptops have a parallel port hidden in the back.

Thegingerbear

Thanks guys, it's a Dell Inspiron 6400, got it in 2007.

the_syco

Thegingerbear wrote: »

Thanks guys, it's a Dell Inspiron 6400, got it in 2007.

Seems your laptop is too new to have one. Only a bad thing now

Because of this, the cheapest way would be to get a USB zip drive.

Ask this guy here: http://www.adverts.ie/249639/peripherals/iomega-zip-drive-usb/ if it's still for sale.

Peats may be able to order this in for you? Ring them at their Dublin store on 01 8727799 and see can they source it for you. If ordering it in, maybe getting it delivered to their Newbridge store may suit you better? You don't say where in Kildare you are.

/edit
Maybe (BIG MAYBE) this may help you out if you can't get in contact with the above seller: Peats has this: http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=25170 In theory it should allow you to hook up a 25pin parallel connector (like the one on the zip drive) through to USB. The 25pin part must look like the DB25 male or the DB25 female to be of any use to you. If you get the latter, with a female connection, you don't need the gender-bender type of connection.

If you get a DB25 male connector on the USB device, get a gender-bender female-female device like http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=1344&sid=14&cid=108&scid=616 as the above will have male pins coming out of it, as will the parallel cable from the zip drive.

In case you find it, I doubt this http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=224512 will not suit the 25pin cable. The 25pins are in two separate rows on the cable for the zip drive.

Thegingerbear

Thanks syco, think I will call into Petes, they should be able to sort me out

JonathanAnon

I'd ring ahead before you go in...
http://www.peats.ie/

I dont see a zip drive on their website, and even if they have one, you should probably check that they have one in stock..

Might be more of a chance with PC world in Newhall.

ajmull

I'm in Kildare Town and have a USB Zip Drive. You are welcome to borrow it to get the data from your discs. PM me if you want the loan.

johndoe99

have you looked around the local cyber cafes etc, to see if any have zip drives