Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

50 Pin SCSI to IDE 3.5'' Conversion-Heck of a Quest

froggytreafrogg

froggytreafrogg

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 1, 2008
193
0
Louisiana
Hi, I own several old Mac computers that utilize the 50 Pin SCSI interface for the old hard discs. However, many of the computer I purchase for dirt-cheap from eBay. Before sale, the HDrives are removed for security. I'd like to avoid purchasing the 50 Pin SCSI drives to reduce costs. I have many low-capacity IDE drives lying around. Is there an affordable, possible home-brewed way to obtain a 50 Pin SCSI to IDE? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. :apple:
 
Making a converter is not simply a matter of getting the right plugs/wires. The electronics of ide/scsi are not the same, so you need circuitry to do it. Unless you are experienced in building electronics, it's not practical. I think your best bet would be to try on eBay for the addonics device.
 
froggytreafrogg said:
do you know if there is a way to make one? thanks
Click to expand...

SCSI deals with a addressable bus, not so with IDE. IDE deals with position on the cable. Even if you are good with electronics, it wouldn't be worth it. Since you don't know how IDE and SCSI work, drop the idea.

I would go with the SCSI to SATA and just use SATA drives. SCSI drives are not very cost effective. You can get a 2TB drive for around $300. Why deal with a lot of older, slower low capacity drives when you can get one to replace them all?
 
The device will only see what it thinks is a SCSI drive. The adapter emulates a SCSI drive, so the system doesn't know any different. This is why you can't make one yourself. It translates to/from a SCSI drive from an SATA.

You might want to see what the OS can handle and what SCSI spec it supports. The adapter is an LVD 160.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCSI
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back