scsi to usb conversion

Question

Level 1

8 points

scsi to usb conversion

I have an old IOMEGA Zip drive that I found when cleaning out a desk drawer at home. I'm wondering if there is a converter available anywhere that would allow me to connect its SCSI port to my current iMac's USB port? I've searched the web but haven't had much luck finding such a thing, and IOMEGA's site doesn't seem to have any relevant information.

The machine I want to put it on is an iMac 600MHz CRT slot-loader with 120GB HD and USB 1.1 port.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated...

iMac CRT, Mac OS X (10.4.11), iMac 600MHz slot-loading 120GB

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 9:45 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 18, 2008 4:47 AM in response to mapiper

For some years, to help folks who had to connect to SCSI devices, I used this device (that I believe I still have somewhere): http://www.cwol.com/usb/USB-SCSI-adapter-Microtech.htm

It came with a CD with the necessary software. It worked fine for the occasional file transfer, but I never tested it for sustained use.

I am curious. Why do you would you want to resurrect a zip drive? There are much better devices out there - that you can use for the same purposes as a zip drive - which you won't have to jump through hoops to get to work.

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Answer 2

strunx

Level 1

4 points

Apr 20, 2008 3:41 AM in response to mapiper

ready for 10.5 and occasionally up on eBay (but beware the hardware/firmware revision)
http://www.ratocsystems.com/english/products/FR1SX.html

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Answer 3

Apr 17, 2008 9:55 AM in response to mapiper

There were some devices back in the Mac OS 9 days, such as Adaptec's USBXchange

http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/scsiport/usbscsi/USBXchange/

Unfortunately, Mac OS X drivers were never produced. Therefore, they do not work under Mac OS X. I don't know of any product that does SCSI to USB conversion under Mac OS X.

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Answer 4

mapiper Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2008 2:00 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I'm curious... the IOMEGA site says that OSX doesn't require drivers for ZIP drives. I'm wondering if the Adaptec converter might actually work with it, even though it wasn't specifically made for OSX?

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Answer 5

mapiper Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 18, 2008 9:21 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

That Microtech cable is exactly what I need, well actually the new version of it (http://www.cwol.com/usb/usb-to-scsi-adapter-u2scx.htm). The ironic thing is, I can buy a new USB-enabled ZIP drive for close to the same price.

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Answer 6

Apr 17, 2008 2:14 PM in response to mapiper

I have one and I tried to use it without success. Something has to tell the adapter how to translate USB to SCSI. Zip drives need drivers, but those drivers are probably built in.

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Answer 7

mapiper Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 18, 2008 9:11 AM in response to Eustace Mendis

Not a pressing need, really; I just have some old zip disks that I came across in a drawer that I want to access.

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