SCSI : trying to rescue data from imprimis 94221 180MB scsi drive frm 1988

[macStuff]

hey there trying to get an adaptec 2906 pci scsi card to work
currently with os8.6
trying with driver v1.3 extension
soon as i put the extension in the extensions folder my system froze on boot..
does this mean the card is bad?
or maybe this version of the driver i downloaded requieres 9.2.2?
anyone know where i can find a driver for the ava-2906 from around 1998-1999? (os 8.6 compatible) ?

https://storage.microsemi.com/en-us/speed/mac/scsi/2906_v13_driver_hqx.php
this is the driver im trying to use right now

[ovalking]

My G3 350 OS8.6 boots up ok with this extension present (I don't have a 2906).

Try without the card to determine if a s/w or h/w conflict.

If still crashes without card, try with just a base OS9 extension set + the driver. Then re-enable other extensions until it starts crashing.

[macStuff]

yea i ended up removing my ACARD ide-raid adapter because the system sees it as a scsi card
and i got things working after doing a brand new system install/restore from original cd shipped with the unit

i got the 2906 scsi card seeing the drive
im at the point now where the drive spins up when i run drive setup app and gives me the choice to initialize the disk
but it wont let me mount the existing partition or "logical unit"

i really need some direction/assistance here as ive never tried to do this before
ie: rescuing 180MB of data from 1988
is there any scsi apps i can use to force it to mount the drive?
is this even possible with a b+W g3 under os8.6? or do i need an earlier version of macos?
i think the partition is probably from the system 6 or system 7 days

i thought the driev was dead but when it spun up when i ran driev setup i was like WOOO!!!

[macStuff]

norton disk doctor
is that of any use to me?

[macStuff]

does anyone have any experience using format recover option of norton utilities?

does anyone know of any software that can image my scsi drive's RAW data regardless of partition table ?

[ovalking]

Do you have SCSI Probe installed as per the 2906 Readme?

Mt. Everything might work as an alternative.
Anubis is another HD driver I've had some success with.

Norton Utilities would be my 'last chance' option. Disk Warrior would be my first choice for 'repairs'.

[ssp3]

macStuff,
Don't use Norton or any other 'repair' utility at this stage, it might make matters worse and make your drive unrecoverable.
I have a suspicion that it has something to do with driver, SCSI Manager etc. (It's been a long time since my last SCSI troubleshooting).

does anyone know of any software that can image my scsi drive's RAW data regardless of partition table ?

Yes, FWB Hard Disk Toolkit. I think version 4.0 or 4.5 should work with your OS. But let's start with the drive first.
Is it _properly_ terminated? If the answer is yes, install HDT and read the manual how to use it first (!) Seriously.
Then use the app from the package called 'FWB configure' and try to determine if the drive is OK. Consult manual how to use it. If the drive is OK, run HDT and make a 'device copy to file' (or something like that).
If possible (I don't remember details here), try NOT to update/permanently install the FWB driver at this stage. If FWB insists, back off and try to find the ATTO ExpressProTools (2.3.2?) to mount the drive. The difference between ATTO and FWB was, if I remember correctly, that ATTO only installed temporary driver, without updating the existing one.

[macStuff]

i installed FWB toolkit - it says the disk has no partitions!
i can post some pics

[ssp3]

Please do, that might be informative.

[FdB]

Upon a closer re-read… your Imprimus 94221 / 180MB drive may be of the 5.25” variety of “door stop” size and as such, it quite simply may not fit / connect in the more typical, standard 3.5” drive external case.

More detailed, possible specs for your drive? Here: https://stason.org/TULARC/pc/hard-drives-hdd/imprimis/WREN-VHH-94221-209M-179MB-5-25-HH-SCSI1-MAC.html Seem to remember you posting images of your drive originally, now. Would you repost an image (or link) along with the screenshots of FWB’s report of “no partitions” as you’ve previously mentioned? Thanks.

If the Imprimus is indeed the 5.25” variety, I have a very similar type of drive: a 60MB MITSUBISHI / MR535 42MB 5.25"/HH in a huge case of its’ own. Have had it mounted and accessed it successfully here today with a IIci and only using SCSI Probe. No FWB HD Toolkit necessary. Connecting it to the Performa first, it froze the Performa / no boot. It appears on the IIci’s desktop as the old SCSI icon (image below).

This Mitsubishi requires a DB25 (both ends) SCSI cable.

Image of drive, also below. (Guess my warranty is now void.)

[ssp3]

Actually, the complete manual for that drive is available.

http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/cdc/discs/wren/77765297B_94221_Wren_V_Half-Height_SCSI_Product_Specification_Nov88.pdf

[macStuff]

yea the drive is toast.. i gave up on it.. it simply wouldnt read from the disk or write.. despite sounding as if it was operational properly..
i booted up ubuntu linux v12 + v10 on the g3 B+W and disk utility in ubuntu couldnt access the partition at all either
which mirrored what happened when i tried to access it in os8.6 soo..
its toast.

[macStuff]

id like to open it up to see if i can get the arm to move and read off the drive but the guy who owns it told me not to open it up maybe i can talk him into it

[FdB]

i gave up on it.

How unfortunate. After recent 100% success with all the old 3.5" SCSI drives here & realization that you had the slightly older 5.25". The very similar Mitsubishi 5.25" sounded  functional (disconnected & powered-up, but still very noisy). Only after it first locked-up the Performa was it opened to find it was merely going through its initial seek / read-write sequencing before parking heads & turning all lights out in standby "ready mode". Didn't need to open it, just needed a more "suitable" machine to access it.

After reassembly, connected it to the IIci in a "last ditch effort"... SCSI Probe mounted it straight away. (Should've tried with IIci, first.) A Mac Classic & an SE 30 both recognize it too & tempted to reformat & install newer driver... but will probably just attach notes & put it back into storage. A mere twenty more months and it'll be 30 years-old!

Thanks. Much fun here!

[macStuff]

yea the drive sounded totally fine sound wise.. start up + shut down noises sounded as if the drive was functional..
it would not read or write a single byte to or from the drive however