<b>Recovering data from damaged Zip disks

Previously, I mentioned that a reader (Michael McGuire) received instructions from Iomega on how to potentially recover data from a damaged Zip disk, using Norton Utilities. Several readers have asked that I post this information. Here it is (paraphrased by Michael):

1. It is best to run with extensions off if possible.
2. Boot NUM Disk Doctor first.
3. Put the Zip disk in the drive. The Zip drive will continue to click but let it. It may take several minutes but NUM will finally recognize the zip disk as "damaged disk."
4. Click on examine disk. The Zip drive will continue to click but let it.
5. Skip over bad blocks. The Zip drive will continue to click but let it.
6. Let NUM run to the very end without interruption. The Zip drive will continue to click but let it.
7. You then run unerase. The Zip drive will continue to click but let it.
8. Unerase should display the files on the disk. You may have to run it twice since unerase has two modes to check for files.
9. Open the files one-at-a-time that you want to recover. NUM will then let you save it to your HD. Do not try to save all the files at the same time. The Zip drive will continue to click but let it.
10. After all the files are recovered you should be able to fix and reformat the Zip disk.