Owners of Adaptec 2940UW, 2940U2W, 2940U2-OEM & 2940U2B

[ofbarea]

Just in case anyone is interested, BIOS 3.10 is still available for several cards in the AHA-2940 family.

I flashed a stock 2940UW and a 2940U2-OEM (Gateway) to BIOS 3.10, dated 2001.

The 2940UW was using BIOS 2.57 and the 2940U2-OEM had BIOS 2.11.

The 2940U2 card is driving an internal LVD HD, an internal tape drive (narrow cable) and an external 20 GB HD. This BIOS was uploaded into a couple of cards owned by a friend. He's using 3.10 U2W firmware with a 2940U2B (WNT) and a 2940U2W (WXP).

AHA-2940UW 3.10 BIOS:
Tested with a stock 2940UW card, but OEM cards should work.
ftp://ftp.adaptec.com/tmp0001/adaptec/unleashed/2940uw_bios_3100.exe

AHA-2940U2W 3.10 BIOS:
Tested with 2940U2W, 2940U2-OEM and 2940U2B.
ftp://ftp.adaptec.com/tmp0001/adaptec/photo/2940u2w_bios_3100.exe

I was not able to find any performance enhancement as a result of the BIOS upgrade, but when configured in verbose mode, the new BIOS provides better information that could be useful for informational/debugging purposes.

[BJ_M]

im still using these cards for some drives i have and also my plextor scsi cd burners ..

but i dont think any support for this classic series in winXP64 any more ...

[firyembers]

would you be so good as to eMail (firyembers@tiscali.co.uk)the program (2940u2w_bios_3100.exe) to me.I am able to connect to the link given but the file seems not to exist.
I have used this program before to update 2940u2w,and have misplaced it,i like it cos i run 5 of these together and this update enables you to be able to access bios all at one time.
I one more 2940u2w to update
Thanks
Grahame

[ofbarea]

Here you have a mirror of the old adaptec files. If these do not work I will send you the bios file by e-mail (compresed in rar format ).

AHA-2940UW 3.10 BIOS:
http://ftp.cesnet.cz/MIRRORS/ftp.adaptec.com/tmp0001/adaptec/unleashed/2940uw_bios_3100.exe

AHA-2940U2W 3.10 BIOS:
http://ftp.cesnet.cz/MIRRORS/ftp.adaptec.com/tmp0001/adaptec/photo/2940u2w_bios_3100.exe

[firyembers]

I now have both of the files,i can update my earlier 2940's and have just updated the 2940u2w to v3.10.
Thanks for making the files available.
Much appreciated.
Regards

[ofbarea]

Folks, These cards are still supported under Vista and Vista x64

depending on the card and the version of Vista that you will be installing the drivers will be bundled or you may have to download them from Adaptec web site.


*** Update 24-Apr-2007 ***

So far these cards works in Vista, XP x64, 2003 x64. The initial compatibility with Vista x64 was a misunderstanding in my own.

[rots]

Folks, These cards are still supported under Vista and Vista x64

I wish... I still have my old DDS3 tapestreamer (yes, old-fashioned but very reliable) that I use for backups. However, the ancient 2904 I had isn't supported under Vista. So I picked up a second hand 2940UW, which *does* have a "Vista" driver, only to find there's NOT a Vista x64 driver after I shelled out & had it shipped.

Not that €20 is going to break the bank, but I now have two non-usable SCSI cards and still no access to my old backups.

Anyone know if there's a beta floating around?



E-

[ofbarea]

The vista x86 are located here: http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/scsi/2940/AHA-2940UW/

You are right, when I was looking at Adaptec site they mentioned that 2940 series of cards were supported under XP x64, they to not do any reference to Vista x64.

My fault. I apologize for this.

I will try to configure a 2940UW that I have into my Vista x64 box and reply back.

[rots]

My fault. I apologize for this.

I will try to configure a 2940UW that I have into my Vista x64 box and reply back.

Definitely not your fault - I found your post hunting the web for a fix after I bought the card. But if you can persuade a 2940UW to work on Vista x64, I'll be seriously impressed (and many people with me).

My guess is that Adaptec can't be bothered to shell out for the signed drivers or go through the hassle of getting certification done for such an old card. Not sure whether or not I blame them if that's the case, but definitely a consideration when buying Adaptec products in future...



E-

[logiclrd]

Not sure if this helps, but according to the following URL, Windows Vista 64-bit *does* come with a driver that is compatible with the 2940 series:

http://www.vistax64.com/vista-print-fax-scan/13890-re-adaptec-aha-2940-scsi-driver.html

To install the driver, you want to go to the device in Device Manager, select "Update Driver", keep telling it that you know what driver you want to use and you want to select it yourself, uncheck "Show Compatible Hardware" and then hunt under manufacturer "Adaptec" for: "Adaptec AIC-7870 PCI SCSI Controller (emulated)."

I have not yet tested this myself. I have just placed an order for an AHA-2940AU adapter; we'll see if this little hack works once it arrives.

[logiclrd]

Potentially more information available here:

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t487861-64bit-driver-for-adaptec-scsi-card-winxp64.html

[adap3100]

hi all

looking 4 file 2940u2w_bios_3100.exe
any 1 have it ? have working link 4 it ?

thx

{edit - found }
4 any 1 i've found it on another site (links from http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=20335&sid=8feb6c565bdd05a99cb55e66632eeff1):
2940uw: http://vogons.zetafleet.com/download.php?id=5630&sid=cd5bde52d391fbd2f521e0583608eb19
2940u2w: http://vogons.zetafleet.com/download.php?id=5638&sid=cd5bde52d391fbd2f521e0583608eb19