User profile for user: Michael Markwick
Michael Markwick Author
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Iomega Zip Drive (2000) - Connection to Macbook Pro?

Hi all, so I am cleaning out our tech drawers. I have an old Iomega Zip drive and wanted to pull data off the old disks. I am based in Germany now, but bought it in the U.S. way back the year 2000. I have not used it for a long time... about 18 years.


First thing I noticed when I plugged it into the power, it did not come on. It has a U.S. plug but I used an adapter to connect to the EU outlet.


II tried to connect it via USB, but get no visible connection, of course because of the power not being enabled I guess. Does anyone know if I need to get some kind of power converter to use the drive? There was no life whatsoever when plugged in.


The data I think is not crucial. But I was curious what was there and wanted to pull it. I guess I could buy an old zip drive that works if this is dead but thought I would ask about the power situation on these old drives. EU vs US power input?


Any other suggestions for the zip drive


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jul 1, 2020 2:42 AM

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User profile for user: neuroanatomist
neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9
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Posted on Jul 1, 2020 7:53 AM

The older Iomega drives were not bus-powered, you need a connection to the AC/mains power for the drive to work (there are newer ones that are USB-powered). You can look at the fine print on the power adapter itself, I think it should be 100-240V input meaning you'd just need the plug adapter. Since you adapted the plug and it didn't work, the problem is either the adapter or the drive. If you have a multimeter, you can check the power at the adapter tip. An equivalent 5V power supply should be pretty inexpensive (they're ~US$12 on Amazon here). If it's not the adapter, the drive is likely dead so if you want the data you'd need to pick up a used drive.

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User profile for user: neuroanatomist
neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9
59,903 points

Jul 1, 2020 7:53 AM in response to Michael Markwick

The older Iomega drives were not bus-powered, you need a connection to the AC/mains power for the drive to work (there are newer ones that are USB-powered). You can look at the fine print on the power adapter itself, I think it should be 100-240V input meaning you'd just need the plug adapter. Since you adapted the plug and it didn't work, the problem is either the adapter or the drive. If you have a multimeter, you can check the power at the adapter tip. An equivalent 5V power supply should be pretty inexpensive (they're ~US$12 on Amazon here). If it's not the adapter, the drive is likely dead so if you want the data you'd need to pick up a used drive.

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Iomega Zip Drive (2000) - Connection to Macbook Pro?

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