external zip drive....which one? USB or SCSI or IDE?

[kareem]

My system is an IDE, asus p5a,k6-2:350, 128 megs ram.

I would like to get a zip drive.
($100 allowance please)

Should I get the USB,SCSI, or IDE type of zip drives? What other pieces of hardware would be needed for the zip?

Do I need a scsi card for the scsi zip drive on an IDE system?

Anyone have ideas?

[Bronco]

USB

Nothing else needed

Totaly portable

FAST

Use on any computer with USB

Have one works great /forum/smile.gif

[toms111]

Internal Ide is probably cheapest. Last one I bout was about $65 complete. SCSI wouldn't make any scence since you would need a scsi card. USB is probably very good but if you are not planning on moving it arround, may not be worth the extra cost (assuming that USB costs more).

[Brian48]

Been using external ZIPs for years. I would not recommend an IDE version because it limits your use. ZIP disks are not very good for long term storage anyway, which is what an IDE drive would force you to use it for. The only thing a ZIP drive is good for is transfering large files from one PC to another, not long term storage.

I actually would recommend a parallel model. Like Toms111 said, unless you plan on NOT moving around very often, a parallel version would be more useful. The parallel is slow as molasses compared to a USB version, but its the most compatible in terms of portability. Not every PC (whether it be at your work, school, or friend's house) will have a USB port, but almost every PC from your ancient x386's to your fastest PIII's or laptops, will have a parallel port. Of all my ZIPs, the parallel has seen the most use. I can almost guarantee you if you get an external, you'll be sharing files left and right with everyone you know. The drive will be moving around quite a bit and you'll want that compatibility.

If you're looking for a long term storage medium, consider an IDE CDRW. They're alot cheaper these days than you think. I picked mine up last summer at CompUSA on sale for $99.



[This message has been edited by Brian48 (edited 11-05-1999).]

[Axel]

Having had a Zip for a few years myself - one thing I can say about the parallel drivers is that you can expect trouble from it and will probably end up installing the driver manually for IDE. It loves to attempt to install the SCSI driver first no matter what - it was really annoying.
Haven't played with a USB connector, but would like to try it given a chance.
Also, made myself a really nice case using an ammo can and closed cell foam to pad it out - re-finished the can in a nice matt black. Water-proof, shock proof, big enough for the power adapter, parallel cable and 5 disks plus a driver floppy, boot floppy, and zip-tools floppy not to mention the drive.

[This message has been edited by Axel (edited 11-05-1999).]

[deep_sky]

USB.
I have an external usb and it is fast and portable to any system if you need to. the only thing is that it is noisy and my particular drive shoots out disks so fast that you gotta pay attention or the disk will literally fly across the room. /forum/smile.gif but usb are the way to go definitely.

[Brangwen]

Not IDE. That's a real waste of (probably) 1 of 4 IDE connections, as written in a previous message. I know 'cause all my IDE connections are in use, and I was not able to add a [5th] IDE device. Depending on what you really want to do NOW: cd-rw is a great way to go for storage, backing up system, etc. Probably not best way to transfer large files from one computer to another because of compatibility issues between cd-drives. That's what Zips are really handy for. If that's your need, to move data from one machine to another, get a Zip but choose an alternate interface, e.g., usb, unless you NEVER intend on using up your free IDEs on HDs, etc. But we are "add-addicts" by human nature! Atleast I am! /forum/smile.gif

Brangwen

[Pantion]

USB: painless install, medium range price, but can't be used on old computers.

Parallel: 100% compatible with all PCs and no install problems either, but if you have one parallel port need to make daisy chain and it is very slow.

SCSI: blazing fast, will daisy on any other current scsi stuff, but is expensive and need a scsi adapter... so it is very limitating.

IDE: good replacement or companion for the pretty old floppy driver, uses the IDE, but will take up one IDE channel and it will be fixed to the computer, unless you want to open every computer were you take the drive.

So make you decision according to your needs /forum/smile.gif A CD-RW could be another and/or better choice.

[pickel]

Pantion: I have my printer (parallel port)
plugged in thru my scanner. Since I don't use my scanner all that much and my printer seems slower than it used to be, should I unplug scaner and plug in printer direct to increase print speed and replug in scanner when I need it? Will I need to reinstall drivers? Thanks

the pickel

[CMonster]

Kareem

My vote is for USB - the forseeable future is USB - my experience with parallel has been rather dismal to say the least.

[LittleKing]

I would go for a CD-RW. But it all depends on what you want if for.

Long term storage:
Definately CD-RW. More reliable and most everyone, if not all, have a cd-rom.

File Transfers:
Depends if the other people or place has a zip drive. if they do then zip drive. otherwise CD-RW.

But this is my oppion and I prefer a cd-rw over zip. I think zips are not worth the money. The media is definaly more expense ($15 for 250MB = zip, $2 - $5 for 650MB = CD-RW) and the drives have comparible prices.

To answer you orignal question:
if you were to get a zip then go with the USB. Faster than parallel and easier to connect and disconnect. Cheaper than SCSI which is a plus, and for IDE, I don't think you can get an external zip in IDE format. But I could be wrong.

Happy shopping.

LK

[Pantion]

to Pickel

if plugging your printer to your scanner makes the data transfer slower then plug it directly to the pc. Not quite sure why this happens... it shouldn't, but you can try changing the Parallel port mode. Maybe it is on a slower mode like bi-directional or standard parallel port mode... change it to ECP or EPP for better performance.

I'm not quite sure on this one and if anybody else knows post a reply here it goes: Does the length of the parallel devices affects data transmition as it does on SCSI? (either be on speed and/or data integrity)

[This message has been edited by Pantion (edited 11-06-1999).]

[jammer699]

spend another 50 and get a cdr-rw.....got a sony at buy.com.....disk are a lot cheaper for more storage....love it....got a usb zip i hardly use now!!!!!!!!!!

[800XL]

I would have to say USB for an external. Reasonably fast, hot pluggable, fairly easy to use. The Zip+ SCSI/Parallel Port combo drive is nice, but more troublesome. Fast when it is on SCSI, and the PPort allows it to work in virtually any home machine. USB might not be present on your Mom's Packard Bell 486 but you can bet a PPort will be there.

My big thing with the USB drive is being able to just plug it in without turning off the machine. SCSI does not like that, the Zip Parallel is not found of it at all either, and IDE really does not do hot swapping. Now to be honest, I have not used a USB zip drive, but it is what I would buy.

[kwai]

cdr/cdrw... cds, accepted everywhere you want to be. and you don't have to worry about shock damage (physical or electrical).

have a cdrw drive and my parallel and scsi zip drives are gathering dust in the corner. only get a zip if all your friends/work has one.

or if you really must get a removable cartridge, orb. 2.2GB! oops, goes over your allowance, though i think the scsi and usb zip drives might too.

[jeana]

Last time I checked (2-3 months ago) I could not find Linux support for the USB Zip.

[kareem]

Hey
Jammer669,
Are you using that Sony CD-RW drive on an IDE system?

If you are, how quick is it?

By the way thanks all of you for your help...may get a cdrw drive. /forum/smile.gif