10.1 Proper power-on sequence

We have tested leaving the XU1541, XUM1541, ZoomFloppy, XA1541 or XM1541 adapters connected to powered-on drives for days with no problems, even though they were not connected via USB or via the PC's parallel port. You can also leave the adapters plugged into USB with the drive(s) off with no problems. But while the ZoomFloppy is designed to be robust, you can avoid unnecessary wear by following these instructions for starting up and shutting it down. Other adapters (XU1541, other XUM1541 variants, XA1541 or XM1541) may be even more picky than the ZoomFloppy.

Power-on sequence for USB based adapters

For USB based adapters (XU1541, XUM1541, ZoomFloppy), the following procedure is recommended:

1. Start with drive off and XU1541, XUM1541, ZoomFloppy unplugged from the PC's USB;
2. Plug in all cable(s) between XU1541, XUM1541, ZoomFloppy and drive(s);
3. Plug in XU1541, XUM1541 or ZoomFloppy via USB;
4. Turn on drive power switch(es).

Turn off the equipment via the same sequence in reverse, at least doing steps 4 and 3. You don't need to unplug the floppy drive from XU1541, XUM1541 or ZoomFloppy while not in use.

The 15x1 drives with an internal power supply tend to get hot if left on for a long time, so you may want to power them off when not in use.

Power-on sequence for PC parallel port based adapters

For the parallel port based adapters (XA1541, XM1541, XAP1541, XMP1541), the following procedure is recommended:

1. Start with drive off and XA1541, XM1541, XAP1541 or XMP1541 unplugged from the PC's parallel port. Furthermore, leave the PC switched off;
2. Plug in all cable(s) between XA1541, XM1541, XAP1541 or XMP1541 and drive(s);
3. Plug in XA1541, XM1541, XAP1541 or XMP154 to the PC's parallel port;
4. Turn on the PC
5. Turn on drive power switch(es).

Turn off the equipment via the same sequence in reverse, at least doing steps 5, 4 and 3. It is highly suggested to unplug the floppy drive(s) from the parallel port while not in use, by removing the XA1541, XM1541, XAP1541 or XMP1541 adapter from the PC, at least.

The 15x1 drives with an internal power supply tend to get hot if left on for a long time, so you may want to power them off when not in use.