Need to read an SCSI Hard Drive
Posted by Nintenperra@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 35 comments
Hi guys. I need to read the info of this Hard Drive.
I know there are some adapters online, but I'm not sure exactly what I'd need to solve my problem.
Can anyone help me?
AnimusVex@reddit
I’ve used these on numerous vintage PC’s using an SCA to 68 pin adapter (which also takes a Molex power input). My bigger concern would be that if you’re needing to get data off of this drive, these SCA drives were often part of a RAID array. It’s possible that this drive won’t have all the array data on it.
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
I actually have the RAID controller, as well as the computer it was working on, but the computer no longer works I'm not sure if that would make things easier or if i could just use an adapter to connect the controller to a newer computer.
debian4ever@reddit
This would be the easiest fix to read your data, if there was a RAID configured all info is stored on the controller. If you can source a pc capable to run the controller card, you will be fine. Just connect another disk to copy your files to and a USB flash drive or CD/DVD drive to boot a live Linux or Windows (depends on the wanted data)You will also need the backplane for powering the HDDs.
Double_Programmer774@reddit
BlueScsi SCSI Initiator Mode https://bluescsi.com/docs/Initiator-Mode
Adrian covered this 2y ago but I've never had a need: https://youtu.be/7EVAWWsaBUg
TheOGTachyon@reddit
There are USB to SCSI adapters, but they're expensive and not really meant for use with hard drives. Put the old controller in a working PC and boot a USB stick rescue Linux and use that to recover any data from the drive.
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
Ye, that's what I need to know how. The controller is not PCI, just have the SCSI (Motherboard - Controller) cable.
capmilk@reddit
And why did you not disclose this in your initial post? Testing swarm knowledge, are we?
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
Ye, that was my bad, i thought it after it.
Mikeylp007@reddit
Hi,
The best solution with the best chance of data recovery is to repair the original computer. What is the problem with it? Power supplies are usually replaceable. Cpu, ram and cards can usually be replaced as well. Since it's a raid array it needs the original controller and all drives connected in the same order preferably with the same motherboard. You may be able to transfer the raid card and the drive array to another computer if the drive array is removable.
New_Consideration708@reddit
I've got an SCSI Raid Server. need that?
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
It would be great to make a deal in other situation, but honestly, I don't think it's worth the hassle of shipping and all that,bsince it's for a client, and frankly, I don't think he's that committed to recovering the data.
FAMICOMASTER@reddit
SCA-UWSCSI adapter + a suitable SCSI controller. The USB ones don't work at all in my experience. LSI still makes PCIe cards for it and they can be had for a dollar or two on ebay. Make sure your cable has a terminator. Good luck.
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
I actually have the RAID controller, as well as the computer it was working on, but the computer no longer works I'm not sure if that would make things easier or if i could just use an adapter to connect the controller to a newer computer.
FAMICOMASTER@reddit
Was it the only drive in the array? If it was not, then you're SOL and it will be illegible. If you have the controller and all the drives in the array, just connect them as normal. There is no special procedure. Plug them in.
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
Sorry if I'm not explaining this very well—I'm not used to these connectors or anything like that; it's just for this specific situation.
I have the computer with everything that worked before, so I have the RAID controller, all the necessary drives, and the SCSI cable that connects the controller to the motherboard.
My question is, how can I connect this controller to a modern PC? Is it enough to just use the LSI and connect the SCSI cable from the RAID controller to the LSI, and that’s it? Or do I need something else?
TheOGTachyon@reddit
That's correct. The LSI controller, drive(s), and the SCSI cable are all you need hardware wise. Plug in the controller, connect the cables and drives as they were in the original PC, boot into Linux to most easily attempt drive and file system recovery.
Mysterious_Rule_7487@reddit
Thats a SCA, actually SCSI ver 2 not compatible with standard SCSI
isecore@reddit
Yeah, good luck with that. That's an SCA connector of some flavor, as has been pointed out. Even if you find an adapter (which is not something you can just order off Amazon) you'll still have a drive that speaks SCSI and then you need a suitable SCSI interface to talk to it. Again, not something you'll find on Amazon.
Scoth42@reddit
SCA to various SCSI flavors are readily available on Amazon for cheap. Host adapters are as well in both PCI and PCI-E, although less cheap.
SlaveCell@reddit
This would work, no?
https://www.amazon.es/-/en/Stineng/dp/B0GSXFQ93B
I have one that I bought 20 years ago!
Nintenperra@reddit (OP)
Do I need anything else, or can I try reading the data from the disk using just this and an IDE interface?
manawyrm@reddit
No, this is SCSI, not IDE. You'll need a SCSI host controller.
If you still have a machine with PCI, try to find an old Adaptec SCSI controller locally used.
Otherwise, maybe something like a BlueSCSI with Initiator Mode.
No_Transportation_77@reddit
There are also PCIe SCSI controllers and USB-SCSI bridges.
SlaveCell@reddit
Oh sorry you are right! I did say it has been a while. Thanks for the clarification
bobdvb@reddit
Adding this as an assist to your post: https://youtu.be/7EVAWWsaBUg
Scoth42@reddit
Probably. I have a similar one I also got a long time ago when I was into vintage Macs. Lots of cheap huge (for 68k) SCA drives out there. Still have at least one I occasionally use. Mine is more like this one but I think either would work
https://www.amazon.com/CERRXIAN-Female-Adapter-Converter-Computer/dp/B09G27DNN4
capmilk@reddit
Since others have already told you what it is, here’s the vintage way of dealing with it:
Get yourself a SparcStation 5. Doesn’t matter if you run Solaris, Linux, *BSD or NEXTSTEP on it (I prefer the latter). That SparcStation has two SCA bays with cool trays in it. Insert SCA drive in empty bay, create image, transfer over Ethernet.
Welcome to vintage computing. :)
No_Transportation_77@reddit
A Sun Ultra 2 would be good too, but they tend to be quite expensive. OTOH, they're solid performers especially with dual 400s and maxed RAM.
Icy_Builder_3469@reddit
Get an Adaptec 2940UW host sdapter and SCSI 68 pin to SCA sdapter.
You can probably use other adaptors but the Adaptec controller is the Swiss army knife of SCSI host adaptors.
thejpster@reddit
You need something like https://ebay.us/m/AbWqpS. Just search eBay for “SCA adapter”. Then you just need a regular SCSI card and either a 50 pin or 68 pin cable depending on your adapter.
I have a couple of these adapters and a huge pile of SCA drives (like, about 20 of then because they were very cheap) and they work in my PC on an Adaptec 2940UW, and they work in my various UNIX machines.
Baselet@reddit
Find an old server from like up to 2005 or so and pop it in. Very common connector in the era before SAS/SATA.
FullstackSensei@reddit
That's SCSI SCA. Adapters and cables are available for cheap. The question is: do you have a SCSI controller to connect this to? You might also need cable termination
Terrible-Bear3883@reddit
Looks like an SCA2 (Single Connector Attachment) drive, you'll need a backplane or connector that's compatible, I used to work on this stuff daily and had some SCSI drives at home.
Your problem might be even if you found an external enclosure, it will be SCSI output i.e. you'd need a SCSI host adapter to connect the drive/enclosure to.
justeUnMec@reddit
Looks like an SCA drive, which is a later evolution of SCSI. You most commonly found those in UNIX workstations and servers. You'd need to either find a machine of a suitable vintage or an adapter and cable that supported this particular interface.
Kurgan_IT@reddit
That looks like a SCA connector, it was used on hot swap bays and contains both data and power pins. I don't know if you can find a SCSI to SCA connector easily, though.