How to Format & Reinstall With Zip Drives

A Zip drive is a disk-based device that saves and stores information, similar to a floppy disk (although Zip drives tend to hold several hundred megabytes' worth of data). When using the disk, it is possible to either format the disk, which removes all information currently stored on it, or install data currently housed on the Zip disk onto your computer.

Format

• 1

  Insert the Zip disk into the Zip disk drive. Close out any AutoPlay window that loads.

• 2

  Click "Start," "Computer," then right-click the Zip drive icon.

• 3

  Select "Format" from the pull-down menu, then click "OK." All of the data is now removed from the Zip disk and it is returned back to its factory state. If you want to keep any information stored on the disk, it is important to back it up onto your computer before clicking "OK."

Reinstall

• 1

  Insert the Zip disk into the Zip disk drive, then click "Start," "Computer" and double-click the Zip disk icon.

• 2

  Locate the file with ".exe" listed after it. This is a executable file, which allows you to run and install the information onto the computer.

• 3

  Double-click the located file to load the installation wizard onto your computer.

• 4

  Accept the end-user agreement, then follow the prompts of the installation wizard to completely reinstall the software onto the computer.