SCSI connections

I'm helping someone set up a new computer. They have a scanner that
had been connected to the old Compaq by a SCSCI cable. I took the card
from the old computer thinking I could simply install it into the new
Gateway but then discovered the only remaining bus connection is too
short for the SCSI card. Is there an easy solution? Should I look for
a new SCSI card or is there a SCSI to USB converter connector? Please
contact me at if you have an answer.

>I'm helping someone set up a new computer. They have a scanner that
>had been connected to the old Compaq by a SCSCI cable. I took the card
>from the old computer thinking I could simply install it into the new
>Gateway but then discovered the only remaining bus connection is too
>short for the SCSI card. Is there an easy solution? Should I look for
>a new SCSI card or is there a SCSI to USB converter connector? Please
>contact me at if you have an answer.
>
>

I've never heard of any SCSI>USB converter. I suspect that your old SCSI card
is an ISA card, and your new machine only has PCI slots. Get a new card, and I
recommend Adaptec 2940, it's what I have. (And, no, I don't work for or have
any connection with Adaptec.)

On 27 Jul 2003 20:35:34 GMT, ospam (ChrisJ9876)
scribbled the following:

>>I'm helping someone set up a new computer. They have a scanner that
>>had been connected to the old Compaq by a SCSCI cable. I took the card
>>from the old computer thinking I could simply install it into the new
>>Gateway but then discovered the only remaining bus connection is too
>>short for the SCSI card. Is there an easy solution? Should I look for
>>a new SCSI card or is there a SCSI to USB converter connector? Please
>>contact me at if you have an answer.
>>
>>
>
>I've never heard of any SCSI>USB converter. I suspect that your old SCSI card
>is an ISA card, and your new machine only has PCI slots. Get a new card, and I
>recommend Adaptec 2940, it's what I have. (And, no, I don't work for or have
>any connection with Adaptec.)

Chris, you are sadly mistaken. There is a USB>SCSI interface converter
that you plug into the USB port and then the SCSI cable into the
SCSI-2 plug on the other end of the adapter.

I found this information at the http://www.startech.com website.

Zermut

>From: Zermut lid

>Chris, you are sadly mistaken. There is a USB>SCSI interface converter
>that you plug into the USB port and then the SCSI cable into the
>SCSI-2 plug on the other end of the adapter.
>
>I found this information at the http://www.startech.com website.
>
>Zermut
>

No, I am not "sadly mistaken." I said "I've never heard of....". I did not
say there was no such thing. Please read & think before you post.

Even if there is a readily available SCSI-USB converter, I would not consider
using it with an HP scanner. The scanner doubtless had an older el cheapo HP
SCSI card for the ISA bus. HP scanners are cantankerous enough to install and
use without complicating matters by attempting to use a converter. HP software
for that model of scanner needs to know that it is communicating via SCSI to the
scanner.

May I recommend an Adaptec 2900-series PCI SCSI host adapter, and probably a
different external SCSI cable? If you can't find one inexpensively in your
area, let me know. I have some here, in good working order with warranty at a
reasonable price. Of course, the computer needs an available and open PCI slot,
which it seems to have from your description of attempting to install the SCSI
card from the other older computer... Ben

Ben Myers
Spirit of Performance, Inc.
73 Westcott Road
Harvard, MA 01451
tel: 978-456-3889
eFax: 810-963-0412
PayPal, MC, VISA, AMEX accepted.

On 27 Jul 2003 11:28:37 -0700, (Carter) wrote:

>I'm helping someone set up a new computer. They have a scanner that
>had been connected to the old Compaq by a SCSCI cable. I took the card
>from the old computer thinking I could simply install it into the new
>Gateway but then discovered the only remaining bus connection is too
>short for the SCSI card. Is there an easy solution? Should I look for
>a new SCSI card or is there a SCSI to USB converter connector? Please
>contact me at if you have an answer.

> HP scanners are cantankerous enough to install and
>use without complicating matters by attempting to use a converter.

I agree about the converter. SCSI cards are going for $5 a pop on Ebay. I must
just be lucky but I have never had a problem connecting my HP scanners, using a
variety of cards.

I've had my share of no-brainer HP SCSI scanner software installs, but this
newsgroup is at least one chronacle of the problems one can encounter with them.
The scanner installation software can really muck up the Windows registry,
making it near-impossible to install a newer scanner (for example) or to install
newer versions of DeskScan. And the DeskScan install!!! Ugh!

Whether scanners or printers, HP's software developers often do a sloppy job of
the driver or other installation software. But, then, they are not alone in
this business, sadly. Some other printer manufacturers provide even more
ghastly software... Ben Myers

On 28 Jul 2003 03:54:08 GMT, reg (Gfretwell) wrote:

>> HP scanners are cantankerous enough to install and
>>use without complicating matters by attempting to use a converter.
>
>I agree about the converter. SCSI cards are going for $5 a pop on Ebay. I must
>just be lucky but I have never had a problem connecting my HP scanners, using a
>variety of cards.

Guess I was just lucky then, 'cause I recently Installed DeskScan II for my HP
5p (following a reinstall of Windows), and it went on quite easily, and worked
the first time. Now on the other hand, the 990 printer install software was the
biggest piece of junk -- it took probably 20 minutes to do what should have
taken 5 or less, and then, did not give me any way to install the "bonus"
software that supposedly came with it. HP tech support couldn't figure it out,
and after the 3rd call, a supervisor sent me a pair of print cartridges free to
compensate.

>From: (Ben Myers)

>I've had my share of no-brainer HP SCSI scanner software installs, but this
>newsgroup is at least one chronacle of the problems one can encounter with
>them.
>The scanner installation software can really muck up the Windows registry,
>making it near-impossible to install a newer scanner (for example) or to
>install
>newer versions of DeskScan. And the DeskScan install!!! Ugh!
>
>Whether scanners or printers, HP's software developers often do a sloppy job
>of
>the driver or other installation software. But, then, they are not alone in
>this business, sadly. Some other printer manufacturers provide even more
>ghastly software... Ben Myers
>
>On 28 Jul 2003 03:54:08 GMT, reg (Gfretwell) wrote:
>
>>> HP scanners are cantankerous enough to install and
>>>use without complicating matters by attempting to use a converter.
>>
>>I agree about the converter. SCSI cards are going for $5 a pop on Ebay. I
>must
>>just be lucky but I have never had a problem connecting my HP scanners,
>using a
>>variety of cards.
>
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