My apologies, but I know very little about computers. I am searching
for help, because I can't find answers on the internet. We have a
microscope that was hooked to a computer via a SCSI. The computer
died, and a new computer (minus the SCSI) was purchased. The old SCSI
(Adaptec 21960 PCI SCSI controller cable (68 pin)) was attached via a
cable directly to the motherboard. The new computer has no method of
reusing the old SCSI (no place on motherboard to attach it). We want
to get a SCSI card to use in the new computer, but have no idea what
kind or what to replace it with. Or maybe there is a USB to SCSI
converter?
>
> My apologies, but I know very little about computers. I am searching
> for help, because I can't find answers on the internet. We have a
> microscope that was hooked to a computer via a SCSI. The computer
> died, and a new computer (minus the SCSI) was purchased. The old SCSI
> (Adaptec 21960 PCI SCSI controller cable (68 pin)) was attached via a
> cable directly to the motherboard. The new computer has no method of
The Adaptec AHA-29160 is a PCI card -- unless the old computer had an
on-board (motherboard-based) SCSI controller (such as some flavor of
AIC-78/9xx chip soldered to the motherboard), the PCI card from the old
computer should be transferable to the new computer.
> reusing the old SCSI (no place on motherboard to attach it). We want
> to get a SCSI card to use in the new computer, but have no idea what
> kind or what to replace it with. Or maybe there is a USB to SCSI
> converter?
Does the new computer have any open PCI slots? If so, you need to get
a PCI SCSI card (such as an Adaptec AHA-29160). I don't believe there
are USB to SCSI converters (I could be wrong).
>Does the new computer have any open PCI slots? If so, you need to get
>a PCI SCSI card (such as an Adaptec AHA-29160). I don't believe there
>are USB to SCSI converters (I could be wrong).
One issue is SE vs LVD; SCSI comes Single-Ended or Low Voltage
Differential signalling. I'd guess that the on-board adapter
was SE, but you might look for symbols on the back panel.
--
A host is a host from coast to coast.................wb8foz@nrk.com
& no one will talk to a host that's close........[v].(301) 56-LINUX
Unless the host (that isn't close).........................pob 1433
is busy, hung or dead....................................20915-1433
>My apologies, but I know very little about computers. I am searching
>for help, because I can't find answers on the internet. We have a
>microscope that was hooked to a computer via a SCSI. The computer
>died, and a new computer (minus the SCSI) was purchased. The old SCSI
>(Adaptec 21960 PCI SCSI controller cable (68 pin)) was attached via a
>cable directly to the motherboard. The new computer has no method of
>reusing the old SCSI (no place on motherboard to attach it). We want
>to get a SCSI card to use in the new computer, but have no idea what
>kind or what to replace it with. Or maybe there is a USB to SCSI
>converter?
>
>Any and all help greatly appreciated!
Ok, so the old motherboard had an Adaptec SCSI Host Adapter chip on board that
appeared as a 29160 because of the drivers that were loaded.
If your new motherboard has an open PCI or PCI-X slot, buy an Adaptec 29160
PCI card, install it in the open slot, install the host adapter drivers
provided with the card for the OS you're running, connect your microscope to
the new PCI card, load your microscope control program, and you should be good
to go...
>Robert Heller <heller@deepsoft.com> writes:
>
>>At Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:57:34 -0700 (PDT) libelula <libelula3049@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Does the new computer have any open PCI slots? If so, you need to get
>>a PCI SCSI card (such as an Adaptec AHA-29160). I don't believe there
>>are USB to SCSI converters (I could be wrong).
>
>One issue is SE vs LVD; SCSI comes Single-Ended or Low Voltage
>Differential signalling. I'd guess that the on-board adapter
>was SE, but you might look for symbols on the back panel.
If the HBA shows up as an
Adaptec 29160, it's likely
LVD-capable but will
automatically "downshift"
to SE mode if there's an
SE device on the bus.
Need SCSI replacement help 
Linear Mode
