Zip Drive Data Recovery - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

braisler · 01-24-2005, 09:40 AM

I have some family photos that are backed up on Zip disks using Iomega's proprietary 1-step backup. The problem is that I have lost the last disk in the series and the program refuses to open any part of the archive without the first and the last disk. I assume that it is some sort of encryption method that they use to create the backup set.

I have been in touch with Iomega about this problem on a couple of occasions, but they have been less than helpful. Does anyone here have a suggestion on how I can get the data off and what hope I have of saving even some of the pictures? Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

Dragonlich · 01-24-2005, 10:06 AM

I remember a similar system back in the olde days for regular zip archives (or were those rar files...). It needed the last disk to check which disks it needed to process. I suppose you could try opening the archives in a program like Winrar, and see what it does.

killeena · 01-24-2005, 11:20 AM

You could try <a href="http://www.7-zip.org/">7-zip</a>. It opens a lot of different types of archives, so you may be able to get it to open with that.

bendsley · 01-24-2005, 11:20 AM

It sounds like its looking for an End of File. Depending on the way the data was compressed, written or encrypted, the program might have to have every file to complete it's algorithm to unlock, uncompress, etc.

Sorry to say, but it's most likely that you will be unsuccessful.

cyrnel · 01-24-2005, 11:35 AM

That's going to be tough. Iomega's 1-step was written by Arcada. They were bought by Seagate and mostly torpedoed years ago. You might be able to google a recovery program. Also, I'd call Seagate just in case... See if they have something that'll read old 1-step archives.

braisler · 01-24-2005, 12:36 PM

Thanks for the input, everyone. I will try some of the archival programs when I get home, but as I recall, the drive won't even read the disk. It acts as if there is absolutely nothing on the disk if you don't use the program, 1-step backup, to open it. If you do use the program, it just asked for the 1st disk, asks for the last disk, and I don't have the last disk.

I'll post again if I make any progress.

01-24-2005, 09:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Zip Drive Data Recovery I have some family photos that are backed up on Zip disks using Iomega's proprietary 1-step backup. The problem is that I have lost the last disk in the series and the program refuses to open any part of the archive without the first and the last disk. I assume that it is some sort of encryption method that they use to create the backup set. I have been in touch with Iomega about this problem on a couple of occasions, but they have been less than helpful. Does anyone here have a suggestion on how I can get the data off and what hope I have of saving even some of the pictures? Any help or suggestions are appreciated!

01-24-2005, 11:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
killeena Crazy Location: Meechigan	You could try <a href="http://www.7-zip.org/">7-zip</a>. It opens a lot of different types of archives, so you may be able to get it to open with that. __________________ Freedom would be not to choose between black and white but to abjure such prescribed choices. - Theodor Adorno

01-24-2005, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
bendsley Professional Loafer Location: texas	It sounds like its looking for an End of File. Depending on the way the data was compressed, written or encrypted, the program might have to have every file to complete it's algorithm to unlock, uncompress, etc. Sorry to say, but it's most likely that you will be unsuccessful. __________________ "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

01-24-2005, 10:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	I remember a similar system back in the olde days for regular zip archives (or were those rar files...). It needed the last disk to check which disks it needed to process. I suppose you could try opening the archives in a program like Winrar, and see what it does.

01-24-2005, 11:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	That's going to be tough. Iomega's 1-step was written by Arcada. They were bought by Seagate and mostly torpedoed years ago. You might be able to google a recovery program. Also, I'd call Seagate just in case... See if they have something that'll read old 1-step archives.

01-24-2005, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
braisler Addict Location: Midway, KY	Thanks for the input, everyone. I will try some of the archival programs when I get home, but as I recall, the drive won't even read the disk. It acts as if there is absolutely nothing on the disk if you don't use the program, 1-step backup, to open it. If you do use the program, it just asked for the 1st disk, asks for the last disk, and I don't have the last disk. I'll post again if I make any progress.