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(vanity) Need SCSI controller solution for small-form-factor PC
self | 7/2/15 | NewJerseyJoe

Posted on 07/02/2015 10:16:33 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe

I once again call upon the collective genius of all the FReeper minds, this time to help me solve a computer issue.

I recently had no choice but to upgrade from the PC I've been using since -- wait for it -- 2000 (or thereabouts). Why did I wait so long? Well, because I've tweaked and customized it over the years to do exactly what I want it to do. But I had to face the reality that it's too slow to do things properly anymore, and more and more online stuff just doesn't work on the old XP machine.

I got a Dell-refurbished Optiplex, and I'm extremely happy with the speed and responsiveness, and Win 7 (x64) is quite refreshing.

But there's a snag.... I have an old Microtek legal-size flatbed scanner which I love -- it works perfectly and suits all my needs. (I need the legal-size scan surface for the stuff I work with.) I was worried that my SCSI card wouldn't work in x64, but I found 64-bit drivers online that remedy exactly that problem. So I was ready to proceed with installation when I realized that my Adaptec AIC-7850 (AVA 2906) PCI SCSI controller doesn't fit in the opening for the PCI slot on this computer -- I think it's what they call a "small form factor" PC.

I haven't been in the market for a SCSI product for 15 years, so I don't know what kinds of products are available these days.

1. The first thing I thought of was a low-profile SCSI controller. They're available to purchase, but the ones I found cost a few hundred dollars.

2. Then I thought, "Perhaps someone has invented some sort of SCSI-USB converter." I found such items -- but every product I saw has been discontinued.

3. Next thought: maybe there is some sort of extender card or extension cable, so I can have the SCSI controller outside the chassis of the PC. The only things I found in this regard are ribbon cables meant for use *inside* the chassis.

So I've struck out three times. As I mentioned, I now turn to the experience of my fellow FReepers for a solution. The legal-size flatbed scanners I've found cost hundreds of dollars, and I need a lower-cost solution to this problem.

Your technical expertise is appreciated. Thank you.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: scanner; scanners; scsi
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To: Kirkwood

See #11, #16. For me, right now, it’s either a low-cost solution or nothing.

Also, much of what I scan is bound, so throwing in a paper doesn’t work for me.


21 posted on 07/02/2015 10:50:44 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: Kirkwood

I’m NOT doing that. Where did you read that I’m doing that?


22 posted on 07/02/2015 10:51:42 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: NewJerseyJoe
See #11, #16. For me, right now, it’s either a low-cost solution or nothing.

See #7. If that card will work, it's yours.

23 posted on 07/02/2015 10:52:48 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

When you are seriously looking for help, come on back.


24 posted on 07/02/2015 10:55:10 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: Paladin2; NewJerseyJoe

What Palidin2 said; also, check the locale, see if there is a computer recycling place that has a retail location, you may find something like that, or a compatible card, and it will be reasonably priced, but if you see it, don’t leave without it.


25 posted on 07/02/2015 10:56:22 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW)
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To: Kirkwood

I’ll do that when you stop replying with “solutions” that I already said are not options for me. Thanks for nothing and for your less-than-helpful attitude.

If you don’t have an answer for the specific question that was asked, kindly refrain from replying.


26 posted on 07/02/2015 10:57:19 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: SunkenCiv

Thanks, I think I will check on that. Most of those in my area have closed over the last 10 years or so, but I’ll see if there still any that have remained in business.


27 posted on 07/02/2015 11:02:42 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: tacticalogic

Thanks. Can you tell me the dimensions of the metal-clip side? Also: is the SCSI connector centered (more or less) on that metal clip, or is it closer to the side with the screw hole? The connector on the scanner cable is kinda bulky, so the connection from the SCSI controller would need to be more or less centered.


28 posted on 07/02/2015 11:06:33 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: NewJerseyJoe; rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; JosephW; Only1choice____Freedom; amigatec; ...

29 posted on 07/02/2015 11:07:17 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

http://www.stuartconnections.com/en/scsi/4674-Dell-17-inch-Internal-to-External-SCSI-Twisted-Pair-PLNR-CNTRLR-8438R.html


30 posted on 07/02/2015 11:11:50 AM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

I take the time to find you a much better solution for less than $100 and you stink up your own post with your bad attitude. Good luck.


31 posted on 07/02/2015 11:15:46 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

The external interface is 1/4” wide and 1-5/8”, clip-to-clip. It is offset toward the screw hole.


32 posted on 07/02/2015 11:27:01 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: NewJerseyJoe

What available ports are on your machine?
SATA, USB ???


33 posted on 07/02/2015 11:31:11 AM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: NewJerseyJoe

If you bought a new(er) computer, and you don’t want to spend any money, and if you don’t do excessive amounts of scanning, keep the old computer with the scanner connected to it, and scan from there, and move the documents over to your new computer. A $15 KVM will allow you to use the same monitor, keyboard and mouse for both machines.

At least until you can afford to replace the scanner or get an adapter.

Have you checked to be sure there’s a driver in Win7 for that scanner?


34 posted on 07/02/2015 11:31:21 AM PDT by dfwright (The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left (Eccl. 10:2, NIV))
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To: Kirkwood
My post: "The legal-size flatbed scanners I've found cost hundreds of dollars, and I need a lower-cost solution"
Your response: Buy a new scanner.
My response: Scanner you recommend is not inexpensive in my present circumstances.
Your responses: Link to another scanner that costs even more. You tell me that I'm buying an antique SCSI card (which I wrote nowhere). Then you tell me that I'm not serious about what I'm doing. You tell me you gave a "better" solution -- but since it did NOT address my query, it was no solution at all.

Synopsis: My post was very clear about finding a way to use the existing scanner that I already have and gave supporting details so that helpful people could tell me if it were possible. If you were honest, your simple (and only) response would have been, "Sorry, I don't see a way that can be done" -- and that response would have been greatly appreciated. Instead, you give alternative solutions that didn't address the query I posed, and then you took issue with me for pointing that out. My conclusions can only be either (A) you like telling people what Kirkwood thinks or (B) you had a reading comprehension problem with the original post.

35 posted on 07/02/2015 11:31:55 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: smokingfrog

Smokingfrog, I was so excited when I first looked at this, until I saw it was SCSI-to-SCSI. What I would need — and I don’t know if such a device exists — is something that is (for lack of a better description) “internal-PC to external-PCI.” That way, I could attach my SCSI card outside of the chassis.

Do you know if such a component exists? Thanks!


36 posted on 07/02/2015 11:35:38 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: NewJerseyJoe

Not sure if this will work for you given your limitations, but does seem to work for others.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006BANR?tag=155ldkai-20

Basically it is an adapter for your scanner that turns your scanner from SCSI to Firewire. This of course assumes that you have a Firewire port. I know that some of the Dell line has firewire ports, I dont know about your specific configuration though. So be sure that you have a working firewire port before you go down this path.


37 posted on 07/02/2015 11:38:36 AM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: NewJerseyJoe

There may be used usb to scsi units on ebay from time to time. Maybe I should sell mine, if I had time to find it.....


38 posted on 07/02/2015 11:39:51 AM PDT by Paladin2 (Ive given up on aphostrophys and spell chek on my current device...)
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To: dfwright

Hi dfwright. Not a question of “don’t want to spend” — been out of work for a while. The new (refurb) PC became a necessity, and I had to make painful cuts elsewhere to fit it into the budget. Fortunately, the refurb cost only a little more than $100, and I was able to pick up some freelance work to offset most of that.

Yeah, I think I’ll have to keep the old PC setup for scanning purposes.


39 posted on 07/02/2015 11:39:55 AM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: Paladin2
USB to SCSI adapter.

Most USB to SCSI adapters won't work with all SCSI devices. I think that they generally work with storage devices, but not with other devices like scanners.

40 posted on 07/02/2015 11:40:46 AM PDT by GreenLanternCorps (Hi! I'm the Dread Pirate Roberts! (TM) Ask about franchise opportunities in your area.)
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