Getting a scsi-connected film scanner to work on Windows 8 (64-bit)

[droj]

For a decade or more I had a hybrid workflow that involved scanning 35mm film with a Nikon Coolscan LS200. I may elaborate on the following later (or on request), but I had a bit of a breakthrough this evening. The first obstacle had been getting Windows 8.1 to accept the scsi adapter (Adaptec 2940AU) that I used to run on XP. I'd given up for a while - despite my updated desktop having the appropriate legacy pci slot, I just couldn't get the thing to work. Tonight I found a fix - let's praise the internet for that, but you have to filter out a lot of woffle and misinformation from that place and all its culdesacs and byways. I thought I'd been persistent before, but maybe there's an element of luck involved.

Stage two was recognition of the scanner itself - and this was achieved by downloading a trial of Vuescan which provided the driver.

I've posted this in the film section because it's of no relevance to anyone who doesn't use (or want to use) film.

 

[Mr Bump]

yep probably an adjusted 32bit win7 driver oem.inf file changed.
i did same a few years ago for an old poloroid 4000.

 

[droj]

Yes, the trick was getting the .inf file right. No need for an ASPI layer on W8!

It's a well-featured 2700ppi 35mm scanner, with optional multi-pass for noise-reduction and boostable light levels for dense originals, so well worth reviving. Cost me about £1,000 back in the day - I've still got the box!

 

[Mr Bump]

I work in that area of expertise working on a lot of very old hardware