Reading an ISA Card today...

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AA

I have a 16-bit ISA "Hard Card XL" from around 1993 that I'd like to somehow
read on a current system (i.e., AGP and PCI only). Do I have any options?

Thanks...
 
AA said:
I have a 16-bit ISA "Hard Card XL" from around 1993 that I'd like to somehow
read on a current system (i.e., AGP and PCI only). Do I have any options?
Click to expand...

Spend $10 at your local pawn shop, etc, for an old 486, etc. that has an ISA
slot.
 
You need a computer that will support ISA cards, and have an operating
system and the drivers that will support the card.

--

Jerry G.
======


I have a 16-bit ISA "Hard Card XL" from around 1993 that I'd like to somehow
read on a current system (i.e., AGP and PCI only). Do I have any options?

Thanks...
 
Get an old Pentium or Pentium 2 (early motherboard, like one with
Intel's 440BX chipset) class machine. These have ISA and PCI slots so
you can easily stick in this Hard Card and a nice PCI network card.
Install Windoze or Linux or whatever on the Pentium (for a bit more
security of data, don't stick in the hard card until after you have
installed your OS) and set the contents of the Hard Card to be shared
over the local network. Wire the 2 computers together and enjoy your
data (provided that it hasn't succumbed to bit rot).
 
I have a 16-bit ISA "Hard Card XL" from around 1993 that I'd like to somehow
read on a current system (i.e., AGP and PCI only). Do I have any options?

Thanks...
Click to expand...


The main issue is what you need of the machine. There are ~
$600 PCI to ISA adapters, most people would just buy a newer
$20 sound card instead. There are a very few Pentium 4
boards with an ISA slot or two, also disproportionately
priced. There are a few old Athlon/XP boards with an ISA
slot, and the further you go backwards in time, the higher
the percentage of boards had at least one ISA slot.

So then the issue is what other features and level of
performance is really necessary, and of course the budget.
 
Yes you deserve credit for that. Now if you can find us some
that cost less...
Click to expand...

There are alternatives to that suggestion for integrating valuable ISA
cards. Some cost a little less, some a little more. There is no
adapter to find that would be cost effective at salvaging an old modem
or old, basic audio card.


DIY Adapter
http://www.costronic.com/Ev71p.htm
http://www.costronic.com/Ev71pkit.htm

ISA - PCI card conversion services offered
http://www.pcisystems.com/

modern quality mobo w' pci-isa bridge builtin
(would work great in any chassis esp rackmount. An ISA to ISA bus
extender would cost a little less for industrial/scientific
application)
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/P4/E7210/P4SCA.cfm

IPC made from a SBC using PCI-ISA Passive Backplane
http://www.picmg.org/pciisa.stm
http://www.kontron.com/products/pdproductdetail.cfm?keyProduct=39158&kps=652&kpc=78
 
For the OP's benefit - If you didn't read the thread referred to the
other product I cited is this:

http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/product/3228.2.htm

It's a PCI to ISA Bus Extender kit which means you can't use it unless
you also buy an ISA passive backplane & industrial backplane chassis.
Minimum cost of a useable kit is therefore over $600.

Yes there are a number of options for using ISA cards in fully modern
systems - as mentioned the cards have to be quite valuable, rare, or
important to justify these though.
 
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