The Iomega ZIP Drive
FORMAT SCSI problem The Iomega ZIP Drive
FORMAT SCSI problem
The Iomega Zip Drive has been wildly successful in many markets, particularly the Ensoniq one. Unfortunately, a little glitch happened in 1995 that slightly hindered the Zip Drives use with Ensoniq instruments.
FROM GIEBLER ENTERPRISES: IOMEGA ZIP Drives manufactured after September 1995 can NOT be used with Ensoniq keyboards to format data cartridges. IOMEGA's latest revision of the drive rejects the industry-standard SCSI FORMAT UNIT command which Ensoniq keyboards send. The variation of the FORMAT command which Ensoniq uses was chosen because the command MUST be supported in order for a drive to claim SCSI compatibility. The latest rev of the Zip drives DO NOT support this mandatory command. Earlier revisions of the ZIP drives support the format command and can be formatted on Ensoniq keyboards as long as the data cartridge is not write-protected. We have not yet determine the exact starting date of the affected drives, but it appears to be within a three month period from July to September 1995.
It may be possible to identify the drives by their serial number:
PLEASE NOTE: Affected drives can still be used to read or write Ensoniq formatted cartridges - they just can't format them. Also, the drives can still be formatted and used on the PC and MAC since Iomega's utilities use an optional variation of the SCSI FORMAT command which the drives still support.
In a message dated 96-02-02 16:24:15 EST, Ensoniq writes:
Recent compatibility issues between the ENSONIQ ASR Instruments and the IomegaZipdrive have been resolved. ENSONIQ and Iomega have been working closely together to correct a formatting problem that surfaced after the original drive was released. Due to small changes in the Zip hardware over the past year, certain Zip drives would not respond to the standard SCSI "Format" command, which is the command used by ENSONIQ ASR samplers and othermusicproducts. Since the drives ship with custom software for use on a Mac or PC, computer users do not have a problem, only special hardware SCSI devices such as musical instruments hardware hard disk recorders.
If you own a Zip drive and are able to use it with an ASR without problems, you need not worry. Your unit has the proper software and you do not neeto take any further action. If you are having problems getting it to work with an ASR sampler, please read below the released statement from Iomega and follow the instructions included.
We would like to thank Iomega for their quick and professional assistance in resolving this problem.
Date: 1/31/96
Subject: Audio Video (A/V) format problems with the Zip drive.
To: ENSONIQ audio equipment users who have experienced a problem
with their Iomega Zip drives.
Iomega Technical Marketing has identified and resolved a compatibility issue with certain versions of the Zip drive. This problem is evident when a FORMAT COMMAND is issued to the drive without using the IOMEGA drivers. The problem has been resolved and the corrected/updated product should be in the distribution channel in 3-5 weeks.
If any ENSONIQ customers are having a problem with their Audio equipment and the Zip drive please contact IOMEGA by PHONE or FAX at the following number
RCS note:
Contacting Iomega is not too easy. However, this is the way we
found to be most efficient:
Call (801)629-7630. Press 2 for the Fax Back system. Follow the prompts. Select Document 101, which is the RMA form. After it has been faxed to you, fill it out, mention the "A / V" code, INCLUDE YOUR E-MAIL address, and fax it back in care of the RMA department at (801)774-1467.
Our experience has been that Iomega faxes you back an RMA about week afterwards, even though they promise to fax you back within 48 hours. We advise you to include your e-mail address, even though there is not a spot for it on the RMA form, because if Iomega has a problem faxing you the RMA number, they will e-mail it (it happened to us). With regular UPS shipping, and new drive is turned around to you in about two weeks.
(Iomega continued:) Be sure that the A/V code is referred to during the call or fax. This will alert the Iomega Customer Service personnel to their specific needs.If the customer returns the Zip drive to the factory without notifying Customer Service about the A/V failure it is possible they could receive the same vintage or drive in return.
Iomega appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue and apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
We at Rubber Chicken Software have tested and stock some of the new drives, and they certainly format fine. Iomega's service has been fine, as long as you can reach them. They usually exchange the drive, no questions asked.
| Updated at 06/14/99 12:00 PM | |||||
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