hj3
Jul 13, 2008, 04:20 AM
Hello. I'm installing a SCSI card into my computer in order to print from a large format printer / plotter I have. The printer is the Canon BJ-W9000 - an older model according to today's standards, although it's production ran from 2001-2005. I'm just wondering if there's anything I should keep in mind or do when installing the card. Thanks!
Scleros
Jul 13, 2008, 03:55 PM
The SCSI card and the computer's internals are static sensitive. Ground yourself to the wall outlet's cover screw or to the computer case before unplugging it and then don't move your feet. Next unplug the power cord to the computer and wait thirty seconds to drain power from the power supply and motherboard before installing the adapter card. SCSI adapters and devices have ID numbers that need to assigned. The adapter is usually ID 7 or 15. The printer will need an ID other than 7 or 15 assigned - you'll need to refer to the printer's documentation to determine how - typical method is by setting DIP switches. The ends of the SCSI bus (cable chain) also need to be terminated with a terminating resistor. If the adapter is on the end of the cable it usually is terminated by default but the setting can also be controlled in the adapter's configuration utility ROM which you access with a key sequence displayed at boot. If the printer is the last device on the cable chain, there will be a second port to plug a termination resistor plug into or termination configured through the printer's control panel or another dip switch. Again read the printer's documentation to determine how. Also fully read the adapter's documentation before you begin. Another gotcha can occur if your adapter is a faster SCSI flavor than the printer. If the printer doesn't communicate or show up in the adapter's configuration utility, the connection may need to be tweaked for narrow instead of wide or a slower communication rate. Again, the documentation for both devices needs consulting to determine common capabilities. Lastly, most modern SCSI adapters attempt auto-configuration, hopefully the install will be painless.
hj3
Jul 14, 2008, 01:51 PM
Thanks! I will give it a try!