SCSI cable question...

[CZroe]

I have an old scanner from '97 that is supposed to connect to the parallel port using a special cable. I believe it converts SCSI to parallel, because it shows up as a SCSI adapter in the Device Manager and it has a dial for setting the device ID, though it's been broken since day 1 ("!" in the Device Manager and the scanner doesn't work). I'm pretty sure it's just the cable, and that it will still work as a SCSI scanner, but I don't know the first thing about SCSI. I figured this ancient W95 PC at work with SCSI CD burners would have the older type of SCSI for me to see if it worked, but it's a small connector (Smaller than a Parallel Port). The scanner has three connectors: One 25pin female connector (Just like a parallel port), one connector just like the other end of a printer cable (The "Centronics" connector I think.) and another that looks like a higher-pin-count serial port (Forget the exact number). I'm pretty sure the Centronics connector isn't it, because it is the one that connects to the parallel port. I still have yet to try a normal printer cable in case the SCSI conversion is in the scanner its self (Though I doubt it. The cable is bulky with an LED and printer pass-through built in). Anyone here know what kinda SCSI card and which port to try this with? Thnx!

 

[CZroe]

BUMP

 

[mastertech01]

A make and model number would be helpfull. If its a SCSI scanner you can use any 25pin external connection from say an Adaptec 2906 PCI or the earlier 25pin Adaptec ISA cards. I have a brand new 25pin external ISA card here if you need one (came with my Microtek) Most standard SCSI scanners will have a 25 pin connector for the cable to the controller, a 25pin connector for an external terminator or to use to extend to other external devices, and a smaller port for use with a Slide film adaptor.(the one that looks similar to serial port).

Like I said, model number and brand would help, and if you cant figure it out perhaps if you could post or email some pics of the cable that could be helpfull. If you need a standard SCSI scanner cable I have several here as well if you can use them. The only problem is you could get all these things and find the scanner doesnt even work..

Another option is find a nice Microtek scanner on Ebay that comes with all you need, or go with a USB model. They are so cheap that fiddling with old crap that may or may not work may not be worth the effort.

Just from your description it sounds as though you have a SCSI to Parallel adaptor, and that must be configured and installed properly. You may only be able to determine that with an owners manual, which may be downloadable from the manufacturers site.

 

[John P]

Does this help at all??

SCSI connector types and pictures.

 

[CZroe]

I have everything. Manual, box, everything. I was just at work so I couldn't look anything up It was DOA when I got it in 97, but I was sure it was a software issue. By the time I got a different PC and everything to be sure it wasn't it was long out of warantee.
Anyway, it's a Scanport SQ2000 ("ScanPaq Inc" AKA MicroTek now ).
I'm still pretty sure it's the cable that's bad because it shows an "!" on it in the device manager regardless of weather or not the scanner is even connected.
It has the 25pin port, and the Centronics connector (IEEE1284 printer end) which made me wonder if the parallel-to-SCSI circuitry is built in (Which it's probably not).
The other connector is more like a game port (Two-row 15 pin female) and could be the mentioned adapter.
There doesn't appear to be a place for a terminator at all, making me believe that the Centronics connector is another type of SCSI port.
The only info on the site I could dig up is on it being a parallel scanner
I'm taking it to the Anandtech Atlanta-area swap-meet to see if anyone with an old SCSI card wants to try it out and take it off my hands for a little $ if it works.

Going with the given chart, it has:
CN50 Female (IEEE1284 printer style)
AND
DB25 Female (Parallel Port style)

Which one would I terminate? I'd assume that it's the DB25 one because the included parallel adapter connected to the other one. Kinda weird having to get one kinda cable and another kinda terminator.

Thnx ppl.