Really mystified by the non-functional Zip 250 drive. It's meant to be powered entirely by the USB bus, it claims to draw 5v at .5a for a total power draw of 2.5w.
I've tried connecting to three different laptops, all of their USB ports, one of which was my modern machine with USB 3.0 ports on all sides, and I've used two different USB cables.
The device refuses to show ANY sign of life. Windows doesn't see anything being connected, the drive doesn't make a buzz, pop, click, or flicker of any sort. It's like plugging in a brick.
I have to believe I'm doing something simple wrong, or there's a really easy fix for this issue (like one bad cap), but it's totally beyond me. I've no idea where to even begin diagnosing something like this.
The seller already refunded me, so I guess I'll just stuff it in a box and buy another one.