HP Surestore DAT24 external tape drive

[Arthur Seidel]

I have a Hewlett Packard HP Surestore DAT24 external tape drive.

It has a 50-contact Centronics-type, ribbon contact connector, female; HP documentation
also describes the connector as a 50-pin, low-density ball SCSI connector.

Of course, I could use a SCSI card and cable. However, since USB is now available, I
would appreciate answers to the following questions:

1. Is it possible to use an adapter to connect the Centronics connector to a USB
port?
2. Are there issues concerning software, drivers, or other factors which would be
problematical?
3. Generally, what do you recommend? What would be the most cost effective
and efficient solution? And how can your recommendations be implemented?

Thank you for your advice.

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,
I have never heard about a such adapter. And, even if it should exist I belive it would be rather expensive ( as there is little demand for a such device).

[Eugeny Brychkov]

Answer: http://www.hp.com/cposupport/information_storage/support_doc/lpg50063.html
Eugeny

[Arimo Laine_2]

Hi.

The thing is not only concerning the physical connectors, but also the way data is passed in the bus. USB bus passes data in a different way than a SCSI bus, therefore a simple adapter cable is not a solution.

There are some USB-to-SCSI -converters, but I'd be VERY careful in using that type of thingy. I'd go for the (already recommended) Adaptec 2940-series any day.

HTH,
Arimo