USB to SCSI

[Mike S.]

Have some ancient M-O discs that I would like to explore and then erase.
In the past had been using an Iomega printer-to-SCSI adaptor but that is
long gone.

All of the USB-to-SCSI converter cables seem to be out of production. Any
clues as to where to locate a source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

[Michael Baeuerle]

Post by Mike S.
Have some ancient M-O discs that I would like to explore and then erase.
In the past had been using an Iomega printer-to-SCSI adaptor but that is
long gone.
All of the USB-to-SCSI converter cables seem to be out of production. Any
clues as to where to locate a source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

The cheap solution is to use 2nd-hand hardware. If you can't find an USB
HA, an old PCI HA like AHA-2940 and a matching old PC you can get
everywhere.

For new PCs, there are PCIe HAs with parallel Interface available too.
Something like this:
http://www.adaptec.com/en-us/products/scsi/asc-29320lpe/
But they are expensive because they are new and rare.


Micha

[Cydrome Leader]

Post by Mike S.
Have some ancient M-O discs that I would like to explore and then erase.
In the past had been using an Iomega printer-to-SCSI adaptor but that is
long gone.
All of the USB-to-SCSI converter cables seem to be out of production. Any
clues as to where to locate a source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I have one of these

http://www.adaptec.com/en-us/support/_eol/usb_scsi/usbxchange/

For a $100 deposit you can borrow mine, return it intact and you get $100
less USPS shipping back. No games.

Not trying to be a jackass, as you may have noticed, these are pretty
impossible to replace, and if you do need one, you're going to get taken
for a ride.

[Mike S.]

Post by Cydrome Leader

Post by Mike S.
Have some ancient M-O discs that I would like to explore and then erase.
In the past had been using an Iomega printer-to-SCSI adaptor but that is
long gone.
All of the USB-to-SCSI converter cables seem to be out of production. Any
clues as to where to locate a source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I have one of these
http://www.adaptec.com/en-us/support/_eol/usb_scsi/usbxchange/
For a $100 deposit you can borrow mine, return it intact and you get $100
less USPS shipping back. No games.
Not trying to be a jackass, as you may have noticed, these are pretty
impossible to replace, and if you do need one, you're going to get taken
for a ride.

Thanks for the offer. The earlier responder suggested using an old PC with
a PCI host adaptor which is a lot easier to find. I'm going to check out
the relics in the basement to see if that might be an easier option. If
not, I may take advantage of yours.

[Robert Heller]

Post by Mike S.

Post by Cydrome Leader

Post by Mike S.
Have some ancient M-O discs that I would like to explore and then erase.
In the past had been using an Iomega printer-to-SCSI adaptor but that is
long gone.
All of the USB-to-SCSI converter cables seem to be out of production. Any
clues as to where to locate a source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I have one of these
http://www.adaptec.com/en-us/support/_eol/usb_scsi/usbxchange/
For a $100 deposit you can borrow mine, return it intact and you get $100
less USPS shipping back. No games.
Not trying to be a jackass, as you may have noticed, these are pretty
impossible to replace, and if you do need one, you're going to get taken
for a ride.

Thanks for the offer. The earlier responder suggested using an old PC with
a PCI host adaptor which is a lot easier to find. I'm going to check out
the relics in the basement to see if that might be an easier option. If
not, I may take advantage of yours.

Geeks.com sells referbished (diskless) P4 boxes for as little as $40 (about
$100 for a unit *with a disk*, but no O/S). The small form factor boxes have a
couple of PCI slots (on a riser) and are capable of booting off an USB stick
or a live linux CD or off the net via PXE. Drop in a AHA-2940 bought off E-Bay
(maybe $20?) and there you are. A CentOS 5.9 i386 live CD will get you
everything you need in terms of software.

[Mike S.]

Post by Robert Heller

Post by Mike S.

Post by Cydrome Leader

Post by Mike S.
Have some ancient M-O discs that I would like to explore and then erase.
In the past had been using an Iomega printer-to-SCSI adaptor but that is
long gone.
All of the USB-to-SCSI converter cables seem to be out of production. Any
clues as to where to locate a source that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

I have one of these
http://www.adaptec.com/en-us/support/_eol/usb_scsi/usbxchange/
For a $100 deposit you can borrow mine, return it intact and you get $100
less USPS shipping back. No games.
Not trying to be a jackass, as you may have noticed, these are pretty
impossible to replace, and if you do need one, you're going to get taken
for a ride.

Thanks for the offer. The earlier responder suggested using an old PC with
a PCI host adaptor which is a lot easier to find. I'm going to check out
the relics in the basement to see if that might be an easier option. If
not, I may take advantage of yours.

Geeks.com sells referbished (diskless) P4 boxes for as little as $40 (about
$100 for a unit *with a disk*, but no O/S). The small form factor boxes have a
couple of PCI slots (on a riser) and are capable of booting off an USB stick
or a live linux CD or off the net via PXE. Drop in a AHA-2940 bought off E-Bay
(maybe $20?) and there you are. A CentOS 5.9 i386 live CD will get you
everything you need in terms of software.

Sounds like a plan, though I will likely try one of the old machines on my
workroom floor first. Thanks.