DPL users/owners of Howtek/Aztek scanners

**onnect17** · 24-Feb-2016, 16:58

Originally Posted by fishbulb

I didn't even know there were different BIOS versions. I just bought one of the $15 used Dell cards on eBay. Two actually, so I'd have a backup.

I didn't configure it at all, besides downloading the Windows drivers from Adaptec. Win 7 32 had no problem with it. Win 7 64 drivers installed fine, but haven't used it with the scanner yet since I don't have DPL 8.

My scanner is an original 1990s Howtek that was owned by the same print shop. Still have the receipt. I doubt it ever had a new IOC card installed, as they were using it with a 2930CU and a Windows XP box.

When the PC starts up, in some point the SCSI card shows the version of its firmware and lists the SCSI devices found. You can also press Ctrl+A to configure the options in the card.

In some point I owned a DPL 7.8X license for the D4000 but I sold it because I did not see any point in paying another $400 bucks to be able to handle the 4000 and 4500 in the same PC. One single license for Silverfast costs $300 and handles both.

**datro** · 25-Feb-2016, 08:54

Originally Posted by onnect17

Thanks for the update! So the issue is not hardware related. I use the 4000 and 4500 with a dedicated XP box but some members were looking for options with Windows 7.

A couple of questions. Which version of firmware BIOS in the SCSI card are you using? Did you have to configure your SCSI card in any way?

My 29160N SCSI card was running BIOS v2.57.2 when I first received it. As part of my recent testing and investigation I installed BIOS v3.10.0 which is the latest available from Adaptec. The main difference between the two is that the later BIOS is built to allow multiple SCSI cards in a single system and the updated SCSI Configuration Tool at boot time allows you to choose which card to configure. Otherwise, changing the BIOS made no difference at all in regards to my issues.

Regarding your comments about bus speed being limited to 5MB/sec: You need to be aware that there is a difference between BUS SPEED and specific SCSI ID SPEED. My testing with the 4500 shows you don't really need to change anything regarding default card configuration, including the speed at which a specific SCSI ID operates. By default each SCSI ID is set for 160MB/sec on this card and this works just fine with the 4500 (assuming you have the proper active terminator, good cables, etc.). Between the 4500 and the SCSI card the BUS itself (which may in fact run at a different speed than the configured SCSI ID on the card) adapts as needed. (By the way, the 4000 is SCSI-1, and the 4500 is SCSI-2. SCSI-2 is also known as "Fast SCSI" or "Narrow Fast SCSI" which the STA specs at 10MB/sec.)

Dave

**onnect17** · 25-Feb-2016, 10:09

Originally Posted by datro

My 29160N SCSI card was running BIOS v2.57.2 when I first received it. As part of my recent testing and investigation I installed BIOS v3.10.0 which is the latest available from Adaptec. The main difference between the two is that the later BIOS is built to allow multiple SCSI cards in a single system and the updated SCSI Configuration Tool at boot time allows you to choose which card to configure. Otherwise, changing the BIOS made no difference at all in regards to my issues.

Regarding your comments about bus speed being limited to 5MB/sec: You need to be aware that there is a difference between BUS SPEED and specific SCSI ID SPEED. My testing with the 4500 shows you don't really need to change anything regarding default card configuration, including the speed at which a specific SCSI ID operates. By default each SCSI ID is set for 160MB/sec on this card and this works just fine with the 4500 (assuming you have the proper active terminator, good cables, etc.). Between the 4500 and the SCSI card the BUS itself (which may in fact run at a different speed than the configured SCSI ID on the card) adapts as needed. (By the way, the 4000 is SCSI-1, and the 4500 is SCSI-2. SCSI-2 is also known as "Fast SCSI" or "Narrow Fast SCSI" which the STA specs at 10MB/sec.)

Dave

Thanks for the info. Perhaps the my assumption the Fuji Crosfield Celsis 240 (what I have) is a exact SM4500 model is wrong.

The only way to know would be to check your IOC card. Would you mind taking a picture of it next time you open your scanner?

Thanks again!!!

**fishbulb** · 28-Feb-2016, 10:42

Interestingly I just got an error with my 4500. "data_available - Length Too Big = 6228" in DPL, and error F702 on the scanner. Checked the error code in the FAQ, and checked the belt. It had three cracks in it and was pretty loose. Replaced it and all is well again.

So apparently DPL will give you data length errors if you have a bad belt. Interesting.

**onnect17** · 28-Feb-2016, 12:02

Thanks for sharing.
The F702 comes with anything that produce a timeout, even SCSI issues. But of course, the belt is the most common. Consistency in the rpms during the test for the drum speeds in the FST for the 4500 can give you an idea of how the belt is working. Make sure to do it with drum mounted.

Regarding the belt, I prefer the ones made of silicone and easy to find in the auction site (check # 200381153495). The elasticity and contact is much better. It reduces the stress on the system big time.

**onnect17** · 28-Feb-2016, 16:25

BTW, I have a few extra rolls of Kami and Tessa tape and no plans to use it. Free to whoever is using this stuff.

**datro** · 3-Mar-2016, 15:47

A quick further update in case anyone is following my experience with DPL 8.0: I've now received a fix from Evan at Aztek that resolves the issue I was having with doing a 4000dpi scan on my Howtek 4500 to a 48-bit TIF file. We are still working on the other buffer issue relating to saving Gray TIF files, but at least now I'm off to the races. Many thanks to Evan for the continued effort on resolving these issues.

Dave

**onnect17** · 3-Mar-2016, 20:46

Thanks for the update. Did the new patch came with a version number, v8.01 perhaps? Just keeping track.

I am still curious about the real scanning resolution. You should be getting a little over 4000 pixels per inch in each raster line.

**onnect17** · 4-Mar-2016, 10:00

Originally Posted by onnect17

BTW, I have a few extra rolls of Kami and Tessa tape and no plans to use it. Free to whoever is using this stuff.

Tapes are spoken for.

**onnect17** · 25-Mar-2016, 22:02

While browsing, found a Howtek brochure mentioning a scanner model unknown to me, the HiResolve 10000. Never heard of it. I wonder how many were made (if any).