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General discussion

Parallel Printer & zip drive

Sep 15, 2004 1:19PM PDT

Have a new Dell 8300 with OS XP home. Connected parallel printer to zip drive & zip drive to parallel port on computer. Downloaded Iomega's file for XP zip drive & printer were recognized & working. So what's the problem you ask... Well, now at cold boot the zip drive is not recognized (& the printer doesn't work), i.e. if I look in "my computer" zip drive is not there. If I reinstall Iomega's file everything fine & both work until the next cold boot.
Help

Discussion is locked

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Re: Parallel Printer & zip drive (on new machine)
Sep 15, 2004 11:16PM PDT

It's a known problem. Here's why. The timing of the newer machine's parallel port in much faster all around since not only is the circuitry faster, but your CPU is likely faster.

A known fix is to add a PCI PARALLEL PORT CARD.

I'm surprised Dell didn't tell you this (or Iomega).

The issue of the drivers confuses the owner and gets them to think it's purely a software issue. Sadly I can't fix that.

In closing, the ZIP 100 Meg drives are very expensive media wise. I have removed all but a few from the office and moved to CDRW. The last units are IDE ZIPS which are not as finicky as the parallel port model.
Bob

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Re: Parallel Printer & zip drive (on new machine)
Sep 18, 2004 9:05AM PDT

Bob

Thanks for the suggestions....
In defense of Dell & Iomega...I didn't ask..
Had consider PCI Parallel port card. Thanks for reminding me to look for the simple fixes. Thought that maybe could save some bucks...Oh well...

Thanks again for the quick (& accurate) rely...

Frank

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Re: Parallel Printer & zip drive (on new machine)
Sep 18, 2004 1:24PM PDT

I guess if you've already bought the hardware my post is sort of after the fact, but here goes anyhow. If you stop/start the service by right-clickng "My Computer" and selecting "Manage" then click double-click on "Services and Applications" and look for the appropriate service. To stop/start it, right-click on it and select "Stop/Start".

Chauncey

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Try
Sep 16, 2004 3:14PM PDT

Try,

Right click my computer, select manage, select device manager, find the printer port, right click it, then select the ?Port settings? tab.

Select to use any IRQ assigned to the port.

Then also try enable legacy Plug-n-Play.

Have fun.

By the by, Zip disks are the second most expensive computer storage, (Floppy is the most expensive storage media). Zip disks are puny, slow, and not very good for much. I would personally ditch that and get some real storage device, like a CDRW, or DVD recorder. For the price of a Zip drive and a few blank zip disks, you can buy a CDRW drive and 100 disks.

Any way, just trying to help.

Have fun.

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Re: Try
Sep 18, 2004 9:10AM PDT

Dkingery,

Thanks for your reply....

Will buy PCI parallel port card to solve the problem...
(see R. Proffitt reply)

Frank

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Re: Parallel Printer & zip drive
Sep 16, 2004 10:26PM PDT

Not only are Zip disks/drives much more expensive to use for data than a CD, they can run into a Click of Death problem where the Zip disk is instantly damaged beyond repair, and any subsequent disks you put in are also damaged. This has happened to a lot of people.

Don't trust Zip disks, use CD's and save a tremendous amount of money. You can use CD-RW disks at 50 cents each (get 10X CD-RW disks) to hold 5 times what your Zip disk does...and read it on any computer.

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Re: Parallel Printer & zip drive
Sep 18, 2004 9:13AM PDT

JMarchi,

I know....I know....

Thanks for your reply...

Frank