Computers and You: Zip Discs or Zip Drives. . .

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by btb87
CT fo', I'm no computer expert, but I LOVES me some zip drives. It's essentially a bigger version of a floppy. My computer at work uses a 250 mb, but the external one I had previously and have 'borrowed' from work is a 100 mb. You can even get a 750 mb. I also believe the costs have come down in price, and you can get the disks anywhere.

Try this site - hopefully you'll get some useful info. I'd rather use a zip than a CD. To me it just seems easier, but maybe I haven't given the CD-RW a chance.

I will check out the site you suggested. THANK YOU.

For some reason, I think my M drive has been corrupted.

After I posted this, I went and saw they have a 750 MB one. Question? Can you have more than one zip drive? I imagine that if I were to take all of my stories now, it would be about 300 MB.

[btb87]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
I will check out the site you suggested. THANK YOU.

For some reason, I think my M drive has been corrupted.

After I posted this, I went and saw they have a 750 MB one. Question? Can you have more than one zip drive? I imagine that if I were to take all of my stories now, it would be about 300 MB.

Just do like you would on a regular floppy - put them on several zip disks, and keep them all labeled. I'd hate to have to wait for your next book/story and you can't find your manuscripts!!!

But one thing to remember - if you're using one size (say 750 mb) you may not be able to read that size disk on, say a 250 mb, so it may not be a bad idea to stick with the smaller mb.

But I defer to the computer experts.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by btb87
Just do like you would on a regular floppy - put them on several zip disks, and keep them all labeled. I'd hate to have to wait for your next book/story and you can't find your manuscripts!!!

But one thing to remember - if you're using one size (say 750 mb) you may not be able to read that size disk on, say a 250 mb, so it may not be a bad idea to stick with the smaller mb.

But I defer to the computer experts.

Let me see if I get this correctly. I buy a zip DRIVE and zip DISCS. The zip DRIVE is the main house for the zip DISCS of which I can have many? If so, cool.

Thanks. I guess I should read that site you sent me.

[Ten/Four]

CT4, it may not be necessary to purchase a zip drive. The media will soon be done away with. They are already trying to phase out the the 100mb zip drive and disk.

I use what's called a jump drive. Some people call them flash drives--samething. Here are the advantages:

1. They are used like floppy disks. You can use them in any computer that has a USB port. Most newer computers have at least one.
2. They can be used on both PCs and Macs without having to reformat the disk.
3. They are small enough to fit in your pocket. I carry mine on a keychain.
4. They are available in any size starting a 56 megabytes.
5. The prices have really come down since the media first came out. Most store have sales every so often.

Here is a link to view a picture:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....4&type=product


For archiving documents I think it's better to use a CD-R. They can be read in any computer, and they can't be accidentally overwritten.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Ten/Four
CT4, it may not be necessary to purchase a zip drive. The media will soon be done away with. They are already trying to phase out the the 100mb zip drive and disk.

I use what's called a jump drive. Some people call them flash drives--samething. Here are the advantages:

1. They are used like floppy disks. You can use them in any computer that has a USB port. Most newer computers have at least one.
2. They can be used on both PCs and Macs without having to reformat the disk.
3. They are small enough to fit in your pocket. I carry mine on a keychain.
4. They are available in any size starting a 56 megabytes.
5. The prices have really come down since the media first came out. Most store have sales every so often.

Here is a link to view a picture:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....4&type=product


For archiving documents I think it's better to use a CD-R. They can be read in any computer, and they can't be accidentally overwritten.

Thanks for your help. Essentially what I want is something that is external for a hard drive/memory storage. I think some kind of way my M drive (CD-ROM) has been corrupted.

I liked the CD-RW but for some reason when I went to access some stories, I was not able to even open any of the files. Thankfully I had backed them up on my internal C drive.

I found a 750 MB zip drive for $100.

Whatever I get, I want to be able to access and be secure in its accessibility at all times.

ETA: I checked out the Jump drive; definitely cheaper!! I will talk more with Best Buy Tech Support.