Data Recovery · LanCologne

Is it still possible to recover data from an old ZIP or Jaz disc?

Iomega ZIP (100/250/750 MB) and Jaz media (1/2 GB) were widely used in the 1990s and early 2000s – often to store project files, photos and archives. Nowadays, it is usually difficult to find working drives and the necessary interfaces (SCSI, parallel port, early USB versions).

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Technical background

The so-called „click of death“ is a well-known phenomenon: a damaged read/write head can damage storage media, and damaged storage media can in turn damage other drives. Added to this are the ageing of the magnetic material and the stiffening of mechanical parts. Many storage media are formatted using FAT or the classic Mac file system, HFS.

What you should – and shouldn’t – do now

  • If you hear clicking noises, stop immediately and do not insert the disc into another drive.
  • Store the media in a cool, dry place and do not clean them.
  • Make a note of whether the media were used on a Mac or a PC.

Here’s how we do it

  • Visual inspection of the storage medium and selection of a certified drive of the appropriate capacity.
  • Creation of an image using repeated, controlled read attempts.
  • Analysis of FAT or HFS and conversion of old file formats on request.

Borders

  • If the medium is physically damaged (scratches, flaking), the affected areas cannot be read.
  • Proprietary legacy programme formats may only be adaptable to modern formats to a limited extent.

Possible results

The recovered files on a current storage medium, with notes on any unreadable sections if required.

How we carry out data recovery

Every data storage device is first diagnosed in our own laboratory in Cologne; the diagnosis is free of charge. You will then receive a written quote and can decide whether to accept it. If you decline, you can collect the data storage device from the laboratory by appointment – there are no postage costs involved – or we will post it back to you; in which case postage and packaging costs may apply. Data is recovered from copies, not from the original – using professional data recovery hardware such as the PC-3000. If a drive needs to be opened, this is carried out on a HEPA H14-filtered clean bench. We do not offer a guarantee of success prior to diagnosis, as this is simply not possible in a professional context. Your storage device and your data will remain confidential and will not be passed on to third parties.

1Enquiries and submission by post or in person at the laboratory by prior appointment
2Free diagnosis of the cause of the damage
3Written quotation – we will only proceed once you have approved it; if you decline, you may collect the item from the laboratory or we will return it to you (postage and packaging costs may apply)
4Recovery, data verification and confidential handover

Request a diagnosis   Find out more about the process, costs and confidentiality →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why shouldn’t I put the disc in a different drive?+
Because a damaged disc can also damage a working drive when the „Click of Death“ occurs – and vice versa.
Can Mac-formatted ZIP discs be read?+
Yes, HFS-formatted media can be analysed.
Is it worth it for a single disc?+
That depends on the value of the data. The diagnostic test will show whether the storage medium is readable.

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