Old scsi card-new computer ?

[cyflyer]

Got given an older, but good professional scanner, a Umax Powerlook 3. Trouble is, this generation of scanners uses a scsi port/controller card to connect to the expansion slots on the motherboard. Lo and behold, I find that the slots on my board are the 32-bit pci slots of todays generation, and the scsi card I have with the scanner has the older connection slot (i forget what they're called). So, am I buggered and should I trash this very decent scanner, or are there scsi cards with the old style parallel ports that can plug into the 32-bit slots of todays computers ?

[redwudz]

I've got an old scanner that has a SCSI interface, along with the bulky cables and a older PCI SCSI card. I believe those are called 'Centronics' plugs, with 50pins., similar to some of the older printer plugs. You may also need a termination SCSI plug unless the scanner has built in termination.

You may find a SCSI PCI card at a computer junkyard or a place like this: http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?ID=30366&C=204&S=994 The older style of computer slots are probably ISA. Some cards may need an adapter from 25 pin HD-sub to 50 pin Centronics.

Unless it's a really high quality scanner, I would just spend the money for a newer USB scanner. My USB unit does just as well, but with a lot less bulk and size.

[lordsmurf]

You have an ISA card.

I had a professional SCSI scanner back in 1993 or so. It was crap compared to even cheap USB2 scanners of today. I actually still have the old scanner, it's in the garage, to be taken to a computer recycler later this month or next month!

[cyflyer]

Yes, you are both right, it is an ISA card, actual numbers UDS-IS11 PC/ISA. So basically I'm looking for a scsi card with the same (25 pin) outlet, but with the 32-bit PCI interface (instead of the ISA) of today's slots ? , if there is such a thing ?

If its an easy solution, then I'll go for it cos the scanner Umax Powerlook 3 , is a very good one with trannie scan head for large format negs also, with I suppose is not cheap nowadays. Otherwise, as you say bin/ donation etc .

[FulciLives]

My first scanner (a Microtek model) was a SCSI version and I had an ISA SCSI card for it.

Wow that seems like ages ago LOL

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[lordsmurf]

By the time you have to spend money on a card, you could just buy a newer and faster scanner.

[FulciLives]

About a year or so ago I bought an Epson Printer/Scanner combo that was on sale for like $80 at Staples.

Works well for me.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[redwudz]

I finally found my SCSI controller card. It's a Adaptec 2906. It's a PCI card with a DB-25 external connector. That went to a DB-25 male connector and about 8 feet of SCSI cable to a CN-50 Centronics connector on the scanner. A active termination plug is on the other SCSI connector of the scanner.

I also had a 200MB Magneto-0ptical drive plugged in between the computer and the scanner at the time I was using it. I remember paying about $500US for the card, cable and the Umax Vista S-6E scanner when it was new. I used it with a Macintosh computer. The Canon USB scanner I have at work now cost about $50 on sale.

The Umax is a good scanner. I'll probably stick the SCSI card into one of my computers and use it for a couple of more years.

[cyflyer]

About a year or so ago I bought an Epson Printer/Scanner combo that was on sale for like $80 at Staples.

Works well for me.

Yes, but bear in mind that those all-in-ones probably scann at a max 600 dpi- optical, not good if you want to scan 1200, 2400 dpi's profession grade scans for possible publication, or editing etc. Thats where the specialist scanners come in, such as this Umax, and newer generation scanners.

Wow that seems like ages ago LOL

Crikey, how long ago did they stop being scsi, and became usb ? You making me feel ancient !

[wwaag]

Another option is a USB to SCSI-2 adapter, although I believe the transfer is limited to USB1.1 I saw them sometime ago on Newegg.

As an aside, I still have a working HP Scanjet 4C that I bought over 10 years ago. Not terribly good for color compared with my Epson, but it's very quick for making B&W copies and has a legal size bed which often is quite handy--e.g. scanning LP covers. Works great with my HP Laserjet 4P that is also over 10 years old. At the time, both units were about $1000. Things are sure cheaper today.

wwaag

[cyflyer]

Way to go wwaag ! Usb to scsi adapter great suggestion and I'm looking into those, thanks. I didn't know there was such a thing, now I do. I got to find a cheap one or one to borrow just incase they don't work. Does this 'termination' plug still have to be attached, and what happens if one isn't ?

[Webster]

Does this 'termination' plug still have to be attached, and what happens if one isn't ?

with SCSI, you must have a termination attached to the last device on the chain. Your scanner may already have a termination switch on it. If not, you'll have to attach a termination plug on to it for it to work.

[SingSing]

We have two scanners and three printers, then we bought a AIO (All-in-one). Since then, all the printer and scanner are retired as bulky paper weight.

[ofbarea]

Yo can also use a Firewire to SCSI adapter. I have a Ratoc FR1SX FireWire(IEEE1394) to Ultra SCSI Converter and this puppy drives properlly my really old Artec AT3 SCSI scanner (very good for OCR matters).

I also use it to connect a DLT tape to my laptop.