The Letterville BullBoard: Old Scanner to New Computer

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Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :

I have an ancient scanner, an HP Scanjet 3C, which I can't seem to hook up to the new PC because the slot for the scuzzy card is different.
Not sure what to do about it yet. Don't want to invest in another scanner. Not merely because of the cost, but because I REALLY like my old scanner, and hate to see
it get turned into a paper weight! This "throw away" mentality really bugs me sometimes!

Anyone have any words of enlightenment here?
This can't be an uncommon dilemma ... can it?

But ... if need be, ... any recommendations or feedback on new scanners?
I really like the copy utility in my scanner, and hope that it is still available in the new ones. It enlarges and reduces copies to great degrees! Would not want to forego this feature.

Now accepting words of wisdom with my appreciation.

Nettie

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"When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"

Janette Balogh
Creative Studio

jbalogh@earthlink.net

Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :

One guess is that your SCSI card used to go into a ISA slot which maybe your new computer doesn't have. Does the computer have only PCI slots? If so, check your local computer shop and explain. I am thinking a PCI SCSI card would interface with the scanner.

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Wright Signs
Wyandotte, Michigan
Since 1978
http://www.wrightsigns.bigstep.com

Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :

if you need to buy a new scsi to get it hooked up i would recomend it. the new scanners are cheap now but they wont do the same as the old 3c and 4c

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Jimmy Chatham
Chatham Signs
164 Poplar Rd.
Commerce, Ga 30529
706-335-2348
Fax 706-335-3378
icq#11718273

Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :

Since you have a new computer, I assume you also have a USB port for connecting your various peripherals. If that's so, then I recommend the Epson 1640. You can buy it new on e-bay for about $250. I also got a new Wacom 9 x 12 Intuos for $350. They may be overkill devices but the prices are fantastic. We also got an Alienware computer to drive everything.
hk

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Howard Keiper
Sales Mgr., Graphtec
Benicia, Ca.
keip@pacbell.net

Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :

Nettie,...check HP's website they may very well have a pci scuzzi card as an upgrade for the isa original.

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fly low...timi/NC
is,.....Tim Barrow
Barrow Art Signs
Winston-Salem,NC
http://artistsfriend.com/signs

Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :

Hi, Janet
It may be that you only need a new cable to connect the old scanner to your 'puter-- one that has end connectors to match each device.
Also, check with someone who is good with computers and find out if you need a cable that transfers data in only one direction, or one that transfers in both directions. I am told that some of these peripheral devices in effect "talk" to each other, and require the bi-directional cable. Good luck.

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Bill Preston
Fly Creek, N.Y. USA
wpreston2@stny.rr.com

Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :

Nettie: I'm with David Wright on this one. You got a Dell Dimension, didnt you? Is it one of the 8100 series?

After checking the specs on the Dimension 8100 systems, I see there are no ISA slots for your SCSI scanner card to fit into. It only has PCI slots.

This means you need to get a PCI SCSI card for your computer, or use the old computer for scanning. You can network the computers together and still access the scanned files from the old machine.

Oh yeah, you need to get another SCSI card anyways because the card that came with the scanner wont work with Windows 98 or newer, according to HP... http://www.hp.com/cposupport/scanners/support_doc/bps03336.html

I also have an extra PCI SCSI card laying in my PC parts box if you are interested... just found it yesterday in fact while I was routin' for something else. I'm not sure if it still works or not cause it's.. well.. pretty old and I havent used it in a long time... but I had my scanner (UMAX Astra 1200|s) plugged into it as well as my hard drives, two CD ROM's, a CD-RW, and even a JAZ drive.

You will need a special cable for it though because of the external connection, but luckily I know just which one you need because I'm still using mine to this very day, with the same scanner but a newer and faster card. =)

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Mike Pipes
Digital Illusion Custom Graphics
Lake Havasu City, AZ
http://www.stickerpimp.com

Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :

Hi Nettie,

Sounds like David and Mike have the right idea...let us know how you get on.

I have a HP Scanjet 2C, and remember having lots of problems when I upgraded to my Gateway flagship about 3 years ago, its about time to buy another machine now, and we have similar set ups with sign software etc.

I had to get an older version of HPs Deskscan 2.1a or something to run with my GA software.

Also had problems with a built in US robotics modem on Com 1...Gateway said I couldnt move it....but Gerbers digitizing tablet only works on Com 1, anyway modem is on Com 3 and I sometimes get conflict with the scanner if they are both on at the same time.

Isnt all this supposed to be fixed with USB stuff today??

I guess running a scanner, digitizer, 3 plotters, printer, modem etc from one small machine is testing the old IRQ s or whatever!!

Good luck....

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Henry Barker #1924
akaKaftan
SignCraft AB
Stockholm, Sweden.
A little bit of England in a corner of Stockholm
www.signcraft.se
info@signcraft.se

Posted by Larry Presnell (Member # 265) on :

Janette"
The new computer standard does not contain ISA slots. I just built a new computer & had the same problem. I bought a new Hp 7400c & really like it. Did have aproblem with USB & Via chipset, had to go generic USB.
Thanks,
Larry

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Larry Presnell
19 Phillips Street, Canton, NC 27816
828-648-2326

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