Interfacing ISA card to Laptop (pcmcia or usb?)

[fiveliter8]

Hello all,

This is my first post here and I hope someone can point me in the right direction. My father has a mobile automobile diagnostic business that currently has two pieces of equiment that require computers to run. He has one setup on a laptop and the other on a PC. The equipment on the PC requires an ISA slot for it's interface card. We would like to run both equipment off of the laptop, and was wondering if such an animal exists. The card uses the 2x31 pin ISA slot as well as the other. Basically what I need is a box with an ISA slot in it which interfaces to the laptop via pcmcia slot or usb. Any leads to a vendor or supplier would be a great help. Thanks,

Alex

 

[vailr]

ISA is old technology. Suggest that you contact the manufacturer of the ISA interface card, and see if they can provide something to replace your current equipment. An interface box, which connects via USB cable to a laptop computer, would seem to be the most likely candidate. But trying to get an older ISA card to work with a laptop computer, is not worth messing with.
Maybe a self-contained & "greasy finger-proof" automobile diagnostic box, such as like Sun makes, is what you could use instead. Or check jcwhitney.com.
Auto X-Ray scanner

 

[zephyrprime]

I've never heard of a converter. I expect that your device exists in some newer form. What is it? A computerized multimeter? A OBD reader?

 

[bluemax]

I know these beasts exist, I've seen them! You can get them in one, two or four slots. I've seen ISA and PCI. You'll more likely find PCI these days.... "slot box"? I'll see what I can find, but "external" "ISA" and other searches may turn up something.

We'll find something but I'll warn ya - it won't be cheap. It's a specialty item. You might almost want to consider getting some sort of old breadbox computer w/ ISA if you're on a super-limited budget.

And as someone suggested, maybe the MFR has a newer version of their product in PCI in which case you could use a Shuttle system or a laptop with a PCI slot (they exist too.)

 

[dullard]

Welcome to Anandtech. There are a lot of us that still rely heavilly on ISA cards. Unfortunately we have been left behind by the tech companies. I don't know what ISA card you have, but for me to replace the ones I use, costs $10,000 per card and the PCI replacements are inferior. I haven't looked for adapters like you are talking about, but if you do find them, I'll be interested in them - so please come back and post your conclusions.

 

[fiveliter8]

Thanks for the suggestions all. The analyser is an MPSI O-scope with power balance, ignition, electrical system, and timing tests. My Dad checked into an updated system, but it is quite costly. If we can't find a way to do this interface, then I guess we'll have to buy their new setup. The ISA to USB sounds interesting. I found one in a search, but they said the software would have to be re-engineered to use usb communication. We were looking for a plug-and-play setup since we are not software engineers. If I come across anything, I'll let you know. Thanks again,

Alex

 

[bluemax]

Finding a few things... potentials... people to call for more info. All industrial products so not cheap, but much cheaper than a new $10,000 card.

Can't you guys justify keeping an old 486/pentium breadbox computer for these ISA cards, rather than using your modern laptops?

links:
B100, call for "PIK1"
Amplicon, look for ISA Backplane... no idea how to interface them yet.
THIS may be your guy! 2ISA slot box
CodeMicro Hard to find products

I've found the external PCI slot-box... they don't have an ISA one but I *know* it exists... Maybe your laptop vendor has special docking stations that might have an ISA slot... nah, only 486/Pentium-level machines had those. I'll keep lookin'.
Too bad HotBot search engine changed... it sucks now.

Go grab a Computer Shopper magazine (those used to be 3x thicker, I loved 'em!) and look through industrial solutions.

 

[bluemax]

I think I got it!
Get a backplane or external ISA casing and one of these USB-to-ISA cards! That's the interface!

I'm tempted if it's cheap. I have some classic ISA sound cards I don't want to give up, but use on a new system... even my Shuttle XPC!

For you $10,000 card owners, this solution should not only work but also save you some big bucks!
PCMCIA might be a little more reliable than CPU-hogging USB, but I doubt you'll push 16-bit ISA transfers with the USB bus too hard.

EDIT: OOPS! You'd probably prefer THIS so you don't even NEED the backplane!
[triumphantly] HaHaaAA! They even have some nice enclosures if the card isn't too long. Couple hundred bucks and you're all set.

Now you'll get a big pat on the back from your boss and I'll still be looking for work. Dangit. :gift:

 

[DaveSimmons]

If the slot box idea fails, you could at least switch the desktop box to being micro-ATX size for easier carrying. You can get old K6, P2, P3 micro-atx motherboards with an ISA slot dirt cheap, including in the FS/FT forum here. There are $40-50 microATX cases from AOpen and others. You might also find off-lease / refurb old gateway or dell small-size p1/p2 boxes with an ISA.

 

[ProviaFan]

I have also seen Pentium 4 motherboards with an ISA slot or two, if you need the extra speed. Unfortunately, I can't remember who makes them or where to get them now. Some AMD Athlon / Duron boards also support ISA slots, but they are only older models that don't support the new Athlon XP "Thoroughbred" processors, AFAIK.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
If the slot box idea fails, you could at least switch the desktop box to being micro-ATX size for easier carrying. You can get old K6, P2, P3 micro-atx motherboards with an ISA slot dirt cheap, including in the FS/FT forum here. There are $40-50 microATX cases from AOpen and others. You might also find off-lease / refurb old gateway or dell small-size p1/p2 boxes with an ISA.

I suggested the same with "breadbox".