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SCSI to Compact Flash

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:02 am
by rod.hull
Repost of my last post in IDE to CF as it has really become SCSI -> CF - especially good news for old school non ide EMU users. (excuse me while I go cuss about ATAPI)

Credit to DanS for this link posted in another thread

http://www.scsiforsamplers.com/index.html

Knew I should have pursued that MPC research looks like these MicroTech SCSI triple media card readers would have come up if I had...

And I've just picked up two MO drives too.... damn

Edit: just got an email back from them, they can sell the card reader without an external case for $60.

My guess is that's cheaper than the adtrons...

In fact with a 1Gb card it becomes the best value flash device I've seen that I think will work with an eos.

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 12:14 am
by rod.hull
Some back story:

these are the adtrons to which I refer:

http://www.adtron.com/products/Sdds.html

also SCSI card readers, believed to be expensive, so much so that I haven't dared ask for a quote... :grin:

More back story:

I tried to get those cheap ide -> cf adapters on ebay to work and failed. I'm blaming it on ATAPI but it could just be me. :grin:

read other thread if back story interests you. Order a MicroTech if it doesn't.

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 1:01 am
by rod.hull
going post crazy...

Note that SCSI for Samplers claim EOS compatibility for their cased product, always nice to hear.

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 10:18 am
by illinformed
Putting a card reader in such a large case with seperate power is such a shame. Do you know how the $60 card reader without an external case is powered, or if it can be installed inside the emu?

PostPosted: Sat May 13, 2006 4:45 pm
by rod.hull
It's a 3 1/2 inch SCSI drive in a bog standard scsi case (albeit transparent). Outside the box it's a standard 3 1/2 drive so it should just fit in the floppy space, connect via a flat scsi cable and be powered via a floppy or molex connector. There are some presumptions on my part in that statement but I think they are pretty safe (that case has a flat cable, molex connector and audio connector inside if I recall correctly). Email them to verify before ordering if you're concerned. I suspect one will be winging it's way to me very shortly so wait for a report back if you want to be extra cautious. These are the devices commonly retro fitting into the MPC2kXL floppy bay so if they can do it... Plus if the unit is compatible externally then it's very likely it is compatible internally.

Good moment to add that we believe pre 4.7 OSes won't boot without a floppy connected so you'll either have to be running 4.7 or connect the floppy up too and secure it (or just it's controller electronics) inside somehow. <- more back story cleverly (?) weaved into the flow of conversation.

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:51 am
by illinformed
rod.hull wrote:connect the floppy up too and secure it (or just it's controller electronics) inside somehow


I think i can remember looking inside and realising the floppy could probably be mounted where the internal HD would go although I have a feeling the floppy cables would need to be extended.

PostPosted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:55 pm
by rod.hull
I've got one (Microtech PCD-47B) coming my way. As ever, I'll drone on about how it goes....

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 4:28 am
by art
I'm using a Microtech(now Pexagon) PCD-40 External SCSI PCMCIA reader. It's very compact. I use CF cards via a PCMCIA adapter, as well as a 5gb PCMCIA hard drive with it. I got mine here a few years back: http://www.adorama.com/IMTCRWSM.html?se ... &item_no=8
Yes, they are a bit pricey.

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 12:24 pm
by illinformed
There's a cheap Microtech one going here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... BIX_Stores

Unfortunately they dont ship to the UK :cry:

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:33 pm
by rod.hull
http://cgi.ebay.com/MICROTECH-DIGITAL-PHOTO-ALBUM-MAC-PC-COMPATIBLE_W0QQitemZ7240485723QQcategoryZ86734QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ships worldwide...

Isn't ebay great! Picked up a 47b for 30 euros... and one with a scsi card ended with no bids at $9.99 yesterday

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:41 pm
by rod.hull
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microtech-External-SCSI-Digital-Photo-Album-Drive_W0QQitemZ8809062356QQcategoryZ167QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

3 1/2 drive in an external case. Ask if they'll strip the case and reduce your shipping costs... ($39 to uk as is)

Anyway, there's no excuse, everyone should have one...

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 7:47 pm
by rod.hull
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microtech-PCD-47B-Card-Reader-with-SCSI-50-Pin-Card_W0QQitemZ9724442187QQcategoryZ51082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thats the one that ended yesterday. Worth contacting seller and making an offer. Quoted $35 for postage to UK, again losing the scsi card and 3.5 to 5 1/4 adapter might cut you some postage.

PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 2:37 am
by rod.hull
Okay, for anyone interested here is a starter guide to these scsi memory card devices:

The MicroTech PCD-47b is just one of a number of scsi -> memory card interfaces.

There a large number of SCSI -> pcmcia (pc card) interfaces.

And a variety of memory card readers including some 6 type readers (sony ms, sd and that olympus format plus the smart, cf and pcmcia).

There are a few devices with PCD in the name sold by different "manufacturers". Generally the bigger the number after the PCD the more card types it supports e.g. the SCM PCD-60b supports 6 card types a MicroTech PCD-50 supports 5.

A good way to find these on ebay is to search for "scsi reader" although "PCD" and "MicroTech" work pretty well too.

Beware a device called an actiontec pc750 advertised on ebay as a pcmcia reader with scsi card. I'm not convinced the device is scsi and it's certainly tied to the supplied card.

Theres an adtron external on now for $30 BIN.

Plus some devices made by SPYRUS (RD300) that look like other possible alternatives (they look like 3.5 units in external cases).

A pcmcia reader will work with a pcmcia -> cf adapter.

If you take the plunge post back here with your results so we can compile a list of functioning devices.

PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 2:58 am
by art
Just wanted to add that I use this adapter: http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_ ... dapter.asp with my Microtech PCD-40 for use with Memory Stick, SD, MMC, and SM cards. It should work with any PCMCIA reader.

PostPosted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:06 am
by rod.hull
Once again I should have checked out the MPC2kXL info online

http://www.midicase.com/card_reader_guide.htm

PCD-60s are probably NOT compatible, nor those Spyrus devices.

Also note the info about PCD-47 firmware.