7

I'm building a new computer in an old computer case. The old computer case came with a Centronic 50-pin SCSI to IDE adapter, and I was thinking about leaving it in the case's 5.25" drive bay, purely for aesthetic purposes.

This got me thinking if there were any "modern" SCSI devices that could be plugged into it? I was thinking along the same lines as USB personal fans or mug warmers. If it's a device that actually has some technical use that would be good as well!

Here's a photo because why not:

SCSI to IDE

Improve this question
9
  • 1
    I note that SCSIDE devices (which is what I suspect you have) are surprisingly expensive on the likes of eBay. Which is why I have just the one, instead of as many as I would like…
    – pndc
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 18:37
  • 4
    SCSI stuff is probably so expensive on Ebay because all companies need to collect whatever they can to keep their "the project for replacing this server should have been completed a decade ago"-server running...
    – PMF
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 19:38
  • 3
    That is not an IDE to SCSI adapter. That is simply a drive bay for swapping IDE drives. It just happens to use whatever connector available to allow passing of IDE bus and drive power to the drive.
    – Justme
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 20:10
  • @Justme ah ok. There isn't much information on the web about this, that's why I linked to the patent on Google Patents. It looks like the drives themselves were SCSI though? It's adapting something to IDE.
    – ToastyMallows
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 20:12
  • 1
    No, they are IDE drives connectes to IDE bus. You are missing the box where the drive goes into, and it has a matching connector.
    – Justme
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 20:14

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
20

You cannot plug or connect any SCSI devices.

That is not an IDE to SCSI adapter.

That is a drive bay for quickly exchanging IDE drives to a computer.

The connector is simply a passive connector for passing through IDE bus signals and power supplies into the box where the IDE drive is in.

Due to the connector having IDE signals and 5V and 12V power supplies, it will damage any SCSI equipment connected to it.

Improve this answer
2
  • Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware that I was missing pieces to this thing! Looks like it'll just stay around for aesthetic purposes as I originally intended.
    – ToastyMallows
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 20:19
  • 3
    woah +1 for the damage warning
    – benxyzzy
    Commented Feb 14, 2021 at 9:31
4

There's the SCSI2SD which lets you use an SD card as a SCSI hard drive. Other than that, I'm not aware of any recent SCSI devices. Also, SCSI doesn't provide power, making it less suitable for fans or mug warmers.

You can, of course, use a SCSI CD ROM drive as a cup holder.

Improve this answer
2
  • Thanks for the info! I'm very unfamiliar with SCSI. I wasn't even aware/didn't do the research to find out that it doesn't provide power. That will definitely limit the amount of "gadgets" that I was thinking may be available. A cupholder might be a good addition to the rig 😆
    – ToastyMallows
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 19:54
  • 1
    If you want it only for the aesthetics - you can rewire the internal side for power, or, usb, or whatever, all you need is a matching connector that you can then wire up to a usb socket that you can use for your mug warmer, vibrator, or death ray... just don't overdo the power draw.
    – noughtnaut
    Commented Feb 14, 2021 at 7:33
4

As is mentioned in the comments this is a bay that accepts PATA devices in suitable caddies. using the 50-way beam connector to connect the caddy to the ATA bus and power.

As the bay takes up a half-height 5.25" bay, the only devices it will accept will be smaller than that, mostly 3.5" drives. with a suitable caddy.

you're better off mounting a "cup-holder", 12V outlet, or a front IO panel. in that spot.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .