Simple SCSI card for scanner question

[Zoinks]

I know nothing about SCSI.

I just need to hook up a scanner via a DB25 connector. The scanner came with a ISA card but after a mobo upgrade, I don't have ISA anymore. Do I need to buy a PCI SCSI card with a DB25 external ($40+) or is there a way to use a card with a HD50 external connector ($20) and just use a different cable?

 

[yakko]

Check here for your answer.

 

[bozo1]

I'd get an Adaptec 2906 - $45 or so. It has the DB25 connector.

Tekram has a host adapter for around $25 but it has an HD50 connector so you'd need a different cable or an adapter which will probably set you back the price difference.

 

[Peter]

The Tekram also comes in a DB25 flavor (305U). However please mind that these 25-wire cables are really bad for SCSI signal integrity, which isn't important for scanners but will really screw things up if you add more SCSI gear later. My recommendation is to get the 315U and a proper 50-pin cable. Adaptec's pricing is ridiculous.

regards, Peter

 

[bozo1]

The 305 is no longer in production but you may be able to find one somewhere.

 

[Zoinks]

Thanks for the advice. The 305U would have been perfect - I don't plan to use anything SCSI ever if I can avoid it. Unfortunately I can only find it in one or two overseas stores. Looks like the adaptec at $41 + $8s/h is a cheap as possible. What a rip.

 

[Peter]

In that case you're still better off with a 315U plus a new cable.

regards, Peter

 

[cloudchief]

Peter:
Why would a 25 pin SCSI cable be bad for signal integrity. That just doesn't make sense. Maybe you are confused with the 25 to 50 pin cables (that you are recommending), that can cause problems.
Zoinks:
just go with the Adaptec, it will be cheaper and less problems than a 25 to 50 pin cable. You could also add the best cdrom availabe, the Plextor 40X SCSI, later should you be so inclined.

 

[bozo1]

25-pin was used for years, especially in the Mac world, without problems.

The reason I recommended the Adaptec was that some scanners had non-standard cables. They plug into a standard 25-pin SCSI connector but the scanner end of the cable may or may not be 25-pin and the cable may or may not be straight-through as well. Getting a SCSI card with the proper connector avoids those potential problems.