SCSI scanner to Mini?

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SCSI scanner to Mini?

In storage, back at the bottom of the closet, I have a perfectly good Microtek Scanmaker X6EL. Its only problem is it is SCSI. I know, I know. At the time that I bought it, I could have chosen either SCSI or USB for the scanner. At the time, I chose SCSI, because the computer that I used then was SCSI. I knowingly accepted obsolescence.

Well, now, my current scanner has quit. One morning it made a loud grinding noise and refused to scan any more. When I pick it up and shake it, I hear something rattling inside. Time to get a new scanner.

Ideally I would buy a whole new all-in-one machine. But that's several hundred dollars to get what I need. My current printer is humming along just fine. My scanning needs are relatively rudimentary. And I have that fine old Scanmaker taking up space.

Let me show you my technique. The now-dead scanner was a hand-me-down. The manufacturer stopped supported the device several operating systems ago. That is why the previous owner gave it to me. Nonetheless, I got this scanner to work through Terminal. I typed into Terminal "scan image > test.pnm," and the scanner scanned. This technique worked well for years until, I said, the scanner ground itself up.

I have VueScan in the computer. For some reason it did not work with the now-dead scanner. I have no idea whether it would work with the Scanmaker. Similarly I do not know if my Terminal technique would, either.

I have seen SCSI-to-USB adapters online. They are relatively cheap.

Does anyone have any idea whether I could use such an adapter to connect my old SCSI scanner to a Mac Mini and get it to work in Yosemite? TIA

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Dec 7, 2015 7:44 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 8, 2015 2:52 AM in response to R_55a

I have also seen USB to SCSI adapters, in the dim and distant past these or at least some of these did work on Macs, you big issue these days is going to be whether their drivers still work under current versions of OS X on current Macs, this will be especially a problem if your using El Capitan.

Your other possible approach will cost (a lot) more. This would be to get a Thunderbolt to PCIe expansion chassis and to fit a standard SCSI PCIe card in that chassis. The SCSI card needs to have drivers that have been made compatible with this approach. I was able to find a post saying the ATTO-Tech ULD5 SCSI card worked with Yosemite but I have not been able to find any posts showing it works in a Thunderbolt PCIe chassis.

Considering the cost of new USB scanners and the cost of these various adapters, it may be worth buying a new cheap USB scanner or using a MFP printer as a scanner.

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Answer 2

Dec 8, 2015 3:46 AM in response to R_55a

Richard Gilpin wrote:

....

Ideally I would buy a whole new all-in-one machine. But that's several hundred dollars to get what I need. .....

Look again, if you live in the US at least, there are a wide variety of all-in-ones

from Canon, Epson, HP, etc. that are well under $100 from all manner of online

and brick and mortar sources. Some have been on sale for as low as $50.

Likely worth the money once you take time and effort involved in trying to make the

old scanner work, if you can.

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Answer 3

Dec 8, 2015 8:21 AM in response to R_55a

Doesn't seem like a very good idea to buy a SCSI to USB adapter for an old scanner that will have no current software. Especially if you look at the prices involved. For just a few dollars more then a SCSI converter, you can pick up a decent flatbed scanner. Basic models are available for around $65.

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