When you insert a Zip® disk into your Zip drive, you should hear the drive make a clicking sound when the heads acquire the Zip disk. This sound is normal. However, if a disk is inserted into the drive and the heads make a continual clicking noise, this sound may indicate a problem with the drive or with the disk. Follow the steps outlined in this document to troubleshoot a Zip drive that is making a clicking noise:

Note: If your disk is stuck in the drive, you can find information on how to manually eject your disk by going to http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/10333.html for external drives and http://www.iomega.com/support/documents/10332.html for internal drives.

Has the disk become demagnetized?




A retail store may place an anti-theft strip on the Zip disk package. When the store personnel scan the anti-theft strip to deactivate it, the Zip disks could become demagnetized. This could cause the Zip disks to click in your Zip drive. If your disks were ran over a magnet at the store, return the disks to the retail store for a replacement. You may need to provide proof of purchase to the retail store.

Warning: Do not use a bulk tape eraser on the Zip disks. A bulk tape eraser will destroy critical pre-formatted track information and render the Zip disk unusable.




Handle your Zip drive and disks properly




We encourage all customers to take the following precautions in caring for their Zip drive and disks:

1. Eject disks prior to transporting any Zip drive.
   
   
2. Avoid dropping the Zip drive.
   
   
3. Avoid storing disks on or near monitors or speakers.
   
   



Determine when the drive is making the clicking noise




Select the link below that best describes when the drive is making the clicking noise:

• When the disk is inserted into the drive
  
  
• When reading/copying data to the disk
  
  

Troubleshooting a Zip drive that makes a clicking noise when the disk is inserted

STEP ONE - Disconnect the Zip drive from the computer




Disconnecting the Zip drive from the computer will eliminate any possible problems with the computer and will focus solely on the drive.

Internal Zip drives

1. Shut the computer down and power it off.
   
   
2. Open the case of the computer.
   
   
3. Disconnect the data cable from the back of the Zip drive.
   
   

   Note: If your drive uses a power cable, leave the power cable connected to the drive.

4. Insert the disk that is making the clicking noise into the drive.
   
   

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise, proceed to STEP FOUR




External Zip drives

1. Shut the computer down and power it off.
   
   
2. Disconnect the Zip data cable from the back of the drive.
   
   

   Note: If your drive uses a power cable, leave the power cable connected to the drive.

3. Insert the disk that is making the clicking noise into the drive.
   
   

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise, proceed to STEP FOUR




STEP TWO - Plug the drive into a different power outlet




Note: If your Zip USB drive does not use an external power supply please continue to STEP FOUR.

Internal Zip drives

1. Unplug the power cable from the back of the drive.
   
   
2. Locate an available power connection in the computer and plug it into the drive.
   
   

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise when a disk is inserted, the drive was not receiving good power from the original outlet.

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




External Zip drives

1. Unplug the power from the wall or power strip.
   
   
2. Locate a different wall outlet and plug the drive into that wall outlet.
   
   
3. Insert the same disk you used in the previous step.
   
   

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise when a disk is inserted, the drive was not receiving good power from the original outlet.

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP THREE - Try a different power supply on your external drive




Note: If you have an internal drive, proceed to the next step, STEP FOUR.

It is possible that the power supply you are using has been damaged and may not be able to supply enough electricity to correctly power the drive. If you have access to another Zip power supply, connect it and insert the disk again.

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise when a disk is inserted, the drive was not receiving good power from the original power supply. Contact an Iomega Technician by Chat or Email for information on how to replace the power supply.

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP FOUR - Try a different disk



1. Eject the first disk from the drive.
   
   
2. Insert a different blank disk or a disk with non-critical data into the drive.
   
   

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise when a second disk is inserted, contact an Iomega Technician by Chat or Email for information on how to replace the drive.

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise when a second disk is inserted, go to our Media (Disk) Returns & Warranty Information We also strongly suggest that you continue with the next step to determine if there is also a problem with the hardware of the drive.




STEP FIVE - Check the drive and cable for physical damage



1. Look at both ends of the data cable for any bent or broken pins.
   
   
2. Examine the drive for any physical damage.
   
   

If the Zip drive has signs of physical damage, please contact an Iomega Technician by Chat or Email

If the Zip drive does not have any physical damage, continue with the next step.




STEP SIX - Connect the Zip drive directly to the computer




Note: Steps SIX and SEVEN are for external drives only. If you have an internal drive that is still clicking, please contact an Iomega Technician by Chat or Email

Using data switches or daisy chaining the Zip drive can cause a clicking noise.

1. Connect the Zip drive directly to the computer.
   
   
2. Power on the computer and boot into Windows®.
   
   
3. Insert the same disk you used as your second disk.
   
   

If the Zip drive no longer makes a clicking noise when a disk is inserted, the drive needed to be connected directly to the computer.

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP SEVEN - Move the drive away from magnetic interference



1. Move the Zip drive away from the monitor or speakers.
   
   
2. Insert the same disk you used in the previous step.
   
   

If the Zip drive no longer makes a clicking noise when a disk is inserted, the drive was too close to the monitor or speakers.

If the Zip drive still makes a clicking noise, please contact an Iomega Technician by Chat or Email

Troubleshooting a Zip drive that makes a clicking noise when reading/copying a file

STEP ONE - Connect the Zip drive directly to the computer




Note: Steps ONE, TWO and THREE are specific to external drives. If you have an internal drive, please go to STEP FOUR

Using data switches or daisy chaining the Zip drive with other devices can cause a clicking noise when reading or copying files.

1. Connect the Zip drive directly to the computer.
   
   
2. Power on the computer and boot into Windows.
   
   
3. Insert a blank disk or a disk with non-critical data into the drive.
   
   
4. Copy a file to the disk.
   
   

If the Zip drive no longer makes a clicking noise, the drive needed to be connected directly to the computer.

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP TWO - Plug the drive into a different power outlet




Note: If your Zip USB drive does not use an external power supply please continue to STEP THREE.

1. Unplug the power from the wall or power strip.
   
   
2. Locate a different wall outlet and plug the drive into that wall outlet.
   
   
3. Insert the same disk you used in the previous step.
   
   

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise, the drive was not receiving good power from the original outlet.

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP THREE - Move the drive away from magnetic interference



1. Move the Zip drive away from the monitor or speakers.
   
   
2. Insert the same disk you used in the previous step.
   
   
3. Copy a file to the disk.
   
   

If the Zip drive no longer makes a clicking noise, the drive was too close to the monitor or speakers.

If the Zip drive still makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP FOUR - Format the disk




If the disk has developed some bad sectors, the drive could make a clicking sound. Formatting the disk will repair the bad sectors and eliminate the clicking sound.

Caution: Formatting the disk will erase all information. Copy all important data off of the disk before formatting.

1. Verify the disk you have used in the previous steps is inserted in the drive.
   
   
2. Open up My Computer.
   
   
3. Right-click the Zip drive and choose Format.
   
   
4. Select the option to do a Long Format and click Format.
   
   
5. Click OK.
   
   
6. Once the format has completed, try copying a file to the disk.
   
   

If the Zip drive no longer makes a clicking noise, the disk needed to be reformatted and is ready to use.

If the Zip drive still makes a clicking noise, continue with the next step.




STEP FIVE - Try a different disk



1. Eject the first disk from the drive.
   
   
2. Insert a different blank disk into the drive.
   
   
3. Copy a file to the second disk.
   
   

If the Zip drive makes a clicking noise when copying to the second disk, contact an Iomega Technician by Chat or Email

If the Zip drive does not make a clicking noise, go to our Media (Disk) Returns & Warranty Information