USB SCSI adapter with X problem

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macintoshme's picture
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USB SCSI adapter with X problem

I am borrowing an adapter from a friend. He used to have a BW Tower. It is an entrega U1-SC2. I need to use it to burn some of the data on a scsi drive, (which is in a chain) to a cd. I could not find a X driver. I need a X driver because my mac is classic impaired (iMac 1ghz G4). I wish we had bought the dual boot now. I need to know this quick.

Thanx,
Mac me

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Nope

There are no OS X drivers for the USB to SCSI adapters. You'll have to network it from an older Mac, or find some other solution.

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Re: USB SCSI adapter with X problem

...It is an entrega U1-SC2...

That's your first problem. Those adapters absolutely suck. I couldn't even get mine to work under OS 9. Just go get a PCI SCSI card.

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No pci

I have an iMac G4 with USB 2.0, it doesn't support Classic either.

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Can you get ahold of an older

Can you get ahold of an older Mac, and network the files to your iMac? (Doesn't everyone have a stack of old Macs lying around?);)

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double post

Oops. Wish I could delete this...

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Might work

I've been a doing a little looking and it appears that one might actually be able to use a USB-SCSI converter under OS X, under some circumstances. (Adaptec made one that they claimed would work under OS X - but I'm talking here about older ones for which no such claim was ever made).

I don't know about the Entrega brand specifically, but here are some things I've come across:

(1) The SCSI device needs to supply term power - not just be terminated, but actually supply the 5V term power, for that's what powers the USB-SCSI converters. This means ZIP drives won't work, as they apparently don't supply term powre.

(2) If the USB-SCSI converter has an Apple-style DB25 port, then you have to be careful. Some DB25 cables don't supply term power (a side effect of Apple's 25-pin implementation of SCSI being nonstandard, apparently). There's no way to tell for sure if a DB25-ended cable passes term power down the line - but I think looking for a high-quality and/or thick cable would be a good way to maximize your chances.

(3) Here's the most interesting one - on www.xlr8yourmac.com, there's a report from a guy who claims to be using an old USB-SCSI adapter with total success under OS X 10.3 - but he says he can only use one device at a time (regardless of any daisy-chaining claims the mfr might make for the adapter when used under OS 9), and that the SCSI ID has to be set to zero. According to him, it won't work otherwise.

Now, he's talking about an old Microtech adapter - but I can't imagine it'd be much different than the Entrega one, which is of the same vintage.

Anyway, take all of the above for what it's worth, which may be very little. Smile

And good luck!

Matt

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Success!

I've successfully mounted and used a SCSI external hard drive, via a USB-SCSI adapter, with a Mac running OS X. The specifics:

- SCSI device: Apple external 2GB SCSI hard drive
- Host Mac: iMac G4, OS X 10.3.8
- Adapter: Microtech USB-SCSI adapter, HD50M to USB
- Other adapter: C50M to HD50F SCSI adapter (to go from hard drive to Microtech adapter)

I plugged the adapters into each other, then into the SCSI HD, then turned on the HD, and then finally plugged the USB end of the adapter into my already running iMac. The HD mounted in about 3 seconds. I did a get info on the HD, navigated its folders in the Finder, and everything worked perfectly smoothly. As expected, OS X sees it as a USB hard drive.

I ejected the HD from desktop like any USB or Firewire device, and then unplugged the USB end of the adapter. It's totally hot-pluggable, just like any USB device (except you of course have to observe all the usual non-hot-plug precautions on the HD end of things).

Warnings/Conditions:

(1) The SCSI ID of the external drive must be set to zero. I tried it with SCSI ID 1 and SCSI ID 4, and it wouldn't mount. This also means that, while this adapter apparently works with up to 7 daisy-chained SCSI devices under Windows and under Mac OS 8/9, it can only work with one SCSI device at a time under OS X.

(2) The SCSI device must be terminated and supply termination power.

(3) Using a SCSI device with this adapter is a huge PIA unless the device has an easily accessible SCSI ID selector that includes the option to set ID to zero. Many devices don't have external ID selectors (you have to open up the unit and change jumpers on the internal drive itself); and other devices (ZIP drives come to mind) have selectors that only allow you to choose between a couple of IDs, neither of which is zero.

But with that in mind, it does in fact work - so the legends are true! Wink

Matt

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Thank you!

After a Google search I came across this thread and wish to say a big THANKS to Matt for this little piece of advice:

>(1) The SCSI ID of the external drive must be set to zero.

I have an Olympus Turbo 640 MO drive with a Microtech USB-SCSI converter cable circa 1998 that I haven't been able to use since upgrading from System 10.0.5. For some reason I never thought of changing the SCSI ID. Thanks!

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Glad to Help...

... but true thanks are due to the guy in the www.xlr8yourmac.com forums who was my source for this key piece of info.

Anyway, have fun with your resurrected MO drive setup!

Best,
Matt

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I have one too...

Hi there I use a USB -> SCSI adaptor with my iBook and a Olympus 230 MO drive never had any trouble apart from the fact that I have to set power settings to always on otherwise when something sleeps the transfer of data to the MO drive seems to be cut Sad On the drive ID front OSX seems to mount as many disks as the ID number Wink so if you have ID=2 you will see 3 drives on your desktop, wierd...

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Is the Microtech USB-to-SCSI the only model that works in OS X?

Iomega flatly states on their web site that their Jaz USB-to-SCSI adapter doesn't work under OS X, period.

Is the Microtech USB-to-SCSI the only one that is known to work under OS X? And if so, is this a specific model/revision, or any generic Microtech USB-to-SCSI adapter?

There is a vendor on eBay who has a lot of these Microtech units for sale, but it's hard to determine in advance whether they match the success story reported here.

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Not the only

Adaptec makes (or made?) a USB-SCSI adapter that they explicitly said would work under OS X. But it's virtually impossible to find it for an affordable price.

On Microtech, AFAIK they made only two models. Both were of the same vintage. One has an HD50 male SCSI connector, and the other has a DB25 female SCSI connector. The HD50 model was meant for Windows, and the DB25 model was meant for Macs - HD50 connectors are common in the Windows world, whereas many Mac devices of the time used DB25 connectors.

The potential issue with the DB25 model, however, is that DB25 SCSI connections are an Apple kludge and are not necessarily to spec. Specifically, not all DB25 cables pass termination power down the line. This isn't always crucial for native SCSI chains, but these USB-SCSI adapters get their power from the AC of the attached SCSI device, via its termination power.

So you take a risk with the Microtech DB25 model. With the HD50 model you take no such risk - but, you will likely need an adapter because most external SCSI devices that a Mac user would have laying around the house would not use HD50 connections.

So, in conclusion - if the eBay adapter is the HD50 model (most of them are, but not all), and you are willing to spend around $10-$15 for an HD50-C50 adapter, you should be good to go. On the other hand, if you buy the DB25 model, you may not have to spend the extra on the adapter, but you are taking as risk because it's not known for sure if that model will work under OS X.

Best,
Matt

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Thanks.

Thanks for the advice, Matt.

The units for sale on eBay are almost all the HD50M variety.

I understand the issue of making sure that Term Power is fed down the SCSI bus from the drive, and that not all DB-25 SCSI cables have pins 24/25 wired up, so one has to be diligent if one is using DB-25 SCSI cables.

My Jaz drive is already the HD-50 style anyway, and it does provide Term Power, so I'm good to go on that front, and I have a copious collection of SCSI cables of all species to choose from.

And I understand that, under OS X, this arrangement might, at best, support only one drive at SCSI ID 0, and not a multi-drive SCSI chain.

So the real issue is whether OS X 10.2.8 and/or OS X 10.3.8 will work natively, or (if not) whether drivers can be found for those versions of Mac OS X. None of the eBay sellers offer current drivers.

The eBay seller in Hudson MA (which is right down the road from me) has 70 of these units for sale on eBay for about $15 (including shipping), so it's not so much a risk of buying something expensive that doesn't work, as an issue of just being frustrated and disappointed with a balky installation problem.

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Microtech Digital Photoalbum.P

Ok, while I have not had much luck getting the drivers for the Microtech Digital PhotoAlbum.P (SCSI PC card reader), I have learned some ways to make it work.

I formatted the 1 gig microdrive in a USB reader first in Macintosh format. Then when I insert the microdrive in the Microtech carder reader, I go to the drive setup and mount the drive. That is what you have to do when you don't have the actual drivers to notice the card reader over SCSI off the bat.

Works relatively well. Would still like to get IBM PC format working in this manner. Or some manner.

Jon
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OS 9 and X should be able to

OS 9 and X should be able to mount Fat16/FAT32 volumes just fine. NTFS would be out though.

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Re: Might work

(3) Here's the most interesting one - on www.xlr8yourmac.com, there's a report from a guy who claims to be using an old USB-SCSI adapter with total success under OS X 10.3 - but he says he can only use one device at a time (regardless of any daisy-chaining claims the mfr might make for the adapter when used under OS 9), and that the SCSI ID has to be set to zero. According to him, it won't work otherwise.

Can any one provide a link to the exact article referenced here? I'm wanting to use a Belkin USB to SCSI adapter soon, and I would like to know if I have a chance of it working.

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Entrega USB-to-SCSI under OS X

Well, after reading all of these comments, I STILL went ahead and tried my Entrega gadget. I have a G5 with OS 10.4.2. I'm trying to connect a Jaz 1GB drive (before I try the MO drive). So it's (1) front USB to (2) Entrega U1-SC25 to (3) DB25 gender changer to (4) DB25 to Centronics SCSI cable [Apple std.] to (5) Jaz drive to Diablo terminator. The Jaz drive is housed in a LaCie case, and the system would NOT work UNLESS THE SCSI ID WAS ZERO.

The Entrega was recognized by the Mac under System Profiler, and the cartridge mounts almost immediately. I can eject and mount with no problems.

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imac G3 OS X 10.4.2 jaz 2Gb scsi to usb

hi

i have had loads of problems with my iomega 2Gb Jaz drive with iomega usb adaptor. i have installed iomega ware and plugged it in but nothing happens i could load the software and it would tell me if there is a disk in the drive or if there wasn't but that is it it will not mount what ever scsi id i have it on. any ideas on what i should get?? if its any help i do have classic 9 installed but some of the features on iomega ware for OS 9 are not compatible. i also have XP but it will not work on that either

thanks

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@David656

Please don't hijack topics; make your own for your own problem.

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How can you hijack an ancient

How can you hijack an ancient zombie thread?

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Agfa 50 pin scsi to IMAC G5 usb

Matt I just ran acroos this thread.
I have an Agfa Arcus II scanner that's still
a relable workhorse for my needs.
It has benn working fine thru a scsi card
in my retired G3.
I recently bought a IMAC G5 OSX_Tiger flat panel.
Does the adapter you mentioned connect
an old 50 pin scsi to usb 2 ?
no daisy chain and only one scsi device ever
Any insight would be heplful.
thanks for the info,
RHIGH

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Probably Won't Work

Hi Rhigh,

My understanding is that none of the SCSI-USB adapters will work with a scanner - they only work with storage drives (hard drives, Jaz drive, MO drive, etc.).

Best,
Matt

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Re: Might work

(3) Here's the most interesting one - on www.xlr8yourmac.com, there's a report from a guy who claims to be using an old USB-SCSI adapter with total success under OS X 10.3 - but he says he can only use one device at a time (regardless of any daisy-chaining claims the mfr might make for the adapter when used under OS 9), and that the SCSI ID has to be set to zero. According to him, it won't work otherwise.

Can any one provide a link to the exact article referenced here? I'm wanting to use a Belkin USB to SCSI adapter soon, and I would like to know if I have a chance of it working.

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/OSX/panther_scsi_adapters.html

Scroll down a bit and you will see the reader reports on these adapters.

Best,
Matt

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Does work

I'm using a Belkin USB SCSI adapter and thanks to the postings here, I was able to get my SCSI drive to mount on my G5 iMac running OS X 10.4.6 . It did need to be the only device in the chain and needed to be set to device "0". I have an old Microtech HD / CD burner so had to open it up and unplug the burner. Also I turned onn the HD first, then powered up the adapter through the power adapter that came with the Belkin, then plugged it in to the iMac while it was up and running. Mounted in just a few seconds. Thank you for saving me so much time, grief, and $$$$!

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You can mount and read NTFS b

OS 9 and X should be able to mount Fat16/FAT32 volumes just fine. NTFS would be out though.

You can mount and read NTFS but not write.

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WOW!

Holy smokes! I've been trying to get an old Olympus SYS.230 MO drive working for days, and had pretty much given up hope until I found this thread. I couldn't even find drivers for the thing under OS9, and although I had an old Microtech SCSI-USB adapter there were no OSX drivers for it and I'd despaired of ever getting it running on a modern Mac.

Then I see the ID0/active termination/power up SCSI device BEFORE plugging in the adapter tip in this thread, and give it a shot just for the heck of it.

Bingo! Mounts perfectly with no drivers whatsoever on a MBP under 10.4.9, and transferring data as I type.

Hope anybody else in a similar situation finds this discussion--I just had to register to say wow!

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Re: Probably Won't Work

Hi Rhigh,

My understanding is that none of the SCSI-USB adapters will work with a scanner - they only work with storage drives (hard drives, Jaz drive, MO drive, etc.).

Best,
Matt

Time to bring this back from the great beyond once more (the things Google finds...)

I need to connect an Epson Expresson 836XL large format scanner to my iMac, and this is the only way.

I'm looking for an OS 10.5.x compatible adapter that has a 50 pin SCSI interface on one side and USB 2 (preferrably) on the other. I'm not sure of the exact SCSI type though.

I found this one, and it says it is OSX compatible, but perhaps there are alternatives?

http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=6638881&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=08-48791933-2

I did not this one deal breaking caveat in the description:

"You must use SCSI emulation mode for image scanners, film scanners or other SCSI devices except mass storage devices (note: SCSI emulation mode is only for Windows)."

So, have there been any advances in the past year or new adapters to come out that work? I'd rather not spend $2000+ on a new scanner when this one still works well.

Thanks,
Kort

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Another Adapter

I found this Ratoc converter:

http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/U2SCX-LVD.html

Think it might work? Ugh, never mind. The SCSI emulation mode is only for Windows here too. This is getting me mighty pissed...

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y'all need a SCSI-equipped computer, forget USB nonsense

Oh yeah, zombie thread!

Feh, the only real solution is to use your superduper scanner with SCSI capable hardware. This business of trying to get SCSI non-storage devices to work over USB or FW is for the birds, you'll only drive yourself crazy. For less than the cost of a USB or FW - SCSI adapter you can have a very nice scanning station, one that will work straightaway without any issues at all.

So it takes up some desktop space, big deal. Heck, use a SCSI-equipped PowerBook like a Wallstreet (for example) and that won't even take up very much space. If the scanner is truly worth that much to you, then it deserves its own computer if that's what it takes to get it to work.

dan k

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