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Scanner parallel cable wiring

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by jono.w

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I have acquired a Relysis Mercury scanner with no parallel cable. It will not work with a standard parallel lead. Anyone know how I can find out how it should be wired, to make my own, or would a "fully occupied" cable work?
Thanks
Jono (UK)

10 replies

by jono.w

Thanks for the reply, but I'm pretty sure that it is a parallel cable. My sister bought the scanner from new to use with a hired PC. she must have returned the scanner's lead in error when the hired PC went back. I would be most surprised if she(or a basic hired PC) had anything to with SCSI - isnt it high-end stuff?
The "Host" connector on the scanner is MALE, and has 25 pins - a parallel cable fits but doesn't work & the "Printer" connector is FEMALE & is definitely parallel. Any otherpointers to tell what it is? The Relysis website is high on Flash but low on help.
Ta
Jono

by elecstix

I would check that you have the port correctly set up. Scanners require full bidirectional data capability so you might like to check your BIOS and port settings to ensure that full bidirectional data transfer is possible. I would guess that EPP or ECP settings are required.

Good Luck.

by jono.w

Rob, Thanks for this. The need for bidirectional capacity could be the key. I understand that cheapo parallel cables are only partly connected-enough for a basic printer. Does this suggest that a fully occupied cable will do? My local (well-established) PC shop wouldn't sell me a cable because they said that scanners could be picky and I needed an original from the manufacturer ( I tried that-no joy).
I tried to set it up a while ago and recall that the PC wouldn't even acknowledge thescanner. I haven't set any peripherals up for a while so I'm a bit rusty, specially as Win98 does it for you. But, Ive just found some info which suggests that JBailey may be right after all.
Thanks
Jono

by jono.w

JBailey- hey-you may be right. I've just come across a PDF manual which does mention SCSI- the content is written in best Far-East style so it's a bit ambiguous. Any physical pointers to look for to tell if its SCSI? Is it significant that the connector on the scanner is male?
Thanx
Jono

by james a bailey

One way to tell is to look at the connection on the scanner. A parallel cable connection on the scanner will likely have a Centronics connection. This is a big ugly slot looking connector. Picture of it is on this site (first one in the table half down page)

http://www.paralan.com/sediff.html

Look farther down the table and compare it to the connector on you Scanner it should be one of them.

A real common SCSI connector for scanner is the 50 pin High Density connector (third on table).Hope this helps.

by james a bailey

One way to tell is to look at the connection on the scanner. A parallel cable connection on the scanner will likely have a Centronics connection. This is a big ugly slot looking connector. Picture of it is on this site (first one in the table half down page)

http://www.paralan.com/sediff.html

Look farther down the table and compare it to the connector on you Scanner it should be one of them.

A real common SCSI connector for scanner is the 50 pin High Density connector (third on table).Hope this helps.

by jctech

You mention in one of your comments that the scanner has a "host" connector and a "printer" connector. This is a sure indication that the scanner is a parallel scanner, since connecting it to your parallel port would tie up the port and prevent youfrom connecting a printer if the scanner didn't provide the "chain through" port for the printer. I'm wondering if you have installed all the proper drivers for the scanner. Many parallel scanners require install of parallel port SCSI adapter drivers before detection of the scanner is possible. These drivers should be included as part of the scanner software package. After connecting my parallel scanner, I had to run the setup program from my scanner software to install the drivers before my system would "see" the scanner.

by jono.w

Thanks- therein lies the rub - I haven't got any software. I downloaded the driver from DriverGuide.com & it matches the model number OK, but I'll reload it & check out the SCSI adapter side- I muight have glossed over anything that said SCSI on it.
I'll let you know.
Jono

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