Looking for a driver for a Linotype-Hell Topaz Scanner
This is a follow up (of sorts) to this question The fine people at the Apple store referred to my old Mac as "vintage" - translation - they can't fix it. So I went to plan "B". I installed a PCI SCSI card in a WIN XP machine. The computer recognized and loaded drivers for the card. I then connected the Linotype-Hell Topaz Scanner that used to be connected to the Mac. Windows said it needed a driver for the device but it did recognize it as a Topaz scanner!. I can't seem to find a driver for this scanner. The scanner is a Linotype-Hell Topaz flatbed scanner. Does anyone have any idea where I can find a driver for this dinosaur?
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
September 23, 2008 3:11 AM
UPDATED:
August 14, 2011 9:31 PM
Answer Wiki:
Actually, the machine originally ran on LinoColor for the Macintosh only, until they went with NewColor 7000, which
runs on PCs and Macs. A more modern software, Silverfast, runs on both PC and Mac as well. Silverfast is modern
and much more robust. I own a 3240-2 and have it working perfectly with a Pwr Mac 9600 and LinoColor 5.0.
I hope you have the Topaz II model 3240-3 or the 3240-2 with the "Golden Memory Card". The Topaz I(3240) only
has 3x6000 CCD elements, otherwise the Model 3240-2, 3240-3 the iX and Robot all have 3x8000 CCD
elements.
If you have the 3240-2 your version of LinoColor will have to match up to the firmware version on your
"Golden Memory Card". If you have the 3240-3, it won't matter which software you choose. Models after the 3240-2
no longer used memory cards. So the 3240(the first model made) is OK, but about as resellable as a brick,
maybe just for parts. Like the hard to get NEC FL15AD-70 lamps. There are people selling these lamps for as
much as $100 !!! If you have a burnt out lamp, let me know, I'll share a good trick with you. I prefer not to tell the
<b>lamp scalpers</b> how badly we don't really need them. If you get initialization errors, let me know too.
Software:
<b>LinoColor is 8-bit software(Mac) ver4, 4.x...6.x CHEAP ($200-$300)
NewColor is 16-bit software(Mac+PC) ver. 7000 (NOT 5000) (hard to get, about $1500)
Silverfast is 16-bit software(Mac+PC) 6.x (about $2500)</b>
Yes, its a Dinosaur, but it is built like a tank and gives me the best scans ever, short of a drum scan. That's right,
I think the only thing that scans better than this league of flatbed, would be a drum scanner. I think its comparable
to other high-en flatbed scanners, but like I said earlier, drum scans are the best.
About Silverfast, you should try and use one of their proven Firewire to SCSI adaptors, if you want to avoid
headaches. I'm a photographer and a computer/telecom consultant, so I was able to get the machine up
scratch. Save yourself money and frustration, get what you can afford and get it right or you will end up with
what you think is an antique boat anchor that nobody would wants to pay freight on. 330 pounds!!!
Go here:<a href="http://www.silverfast.com/show/silverfast-heidelberg/en.html">
http://www.silverfast.com/show/silverfast-heidelberg/en.html</a>
Forget about a downloading some kind of driver for the scanner, there only exists initialization software(s) as listed
above.
Good Luck
To see all answers submitted to the Answer Wiki: View Answer History.
The Topaz scanner that he has is one of the old Topaz 3240. The “solution” we came up with was to purchase an old Mac G3 (Beige, not Blue) on ebay and use the drive from the old computer in the “new” system. He loves the Topaz and has been using it for years, and like you, he says it is a fair match for a drum scanner for the type of work he does. Do you know if the LinoColor 8 bit software run on MAC OS 9.X?
Thanks for the info!
-Flame
**************************************
Hi Flame,
as written above and correctly described by Codiau:
LinoColor is 8-bit software for the Mac.
You can install it on OS 9.22 — so the latest OS 9.x
I run it myself, so I can say this.
You would need a special firmware-card for your Linotype Topaz 1.
I can provide you ALL of this: Linocolor 6.04 — which is the LATEST available,
new price was about USD 2400.- — you can have it for 280.- USD
I can also sell you NEW, totally incl. SCSI-to-Firewire-Adapter
Silverfast Software, which is 16-bit software( runs both Mac+PC) 6.5/6.6
Retail Price in Germany is about 2800.- EUR (!), without firewire-adapter
I would sell the complete official OriginalVersion incl. adpter for only 890.- EUR incl. shipping …
I have experience with your scanner and feel free to mail me: typestar@aon.at
Best wishes and good luck,
typestar
Giday
I have a Topaz 2 not sure which model other than that. It isn’t responding to the G3 computer, does the unit require a special sussi card??? Any information on the machine would be of great help, thank you,,,, Raoul.
Giday Codiau or anyone who wishes to help…
I am very interested in the light bulb trick Codiau mentioned…. and no I’m not a light bulb scalper… I just got this Topaz II and it gives an error… I need to replace the reflect bulb…etc. Trouble is I live in a fishing village called BLUFF (of all names) New Zealand so any information is hard to come by…
I did get the machine to run for two days then…. trouble started.
The other issue is the scanner has started to give the error … can’t find the Hardware, call service. Anyone with advice is a welcome …
Last question … How do you tell if the scanner is a 3240 or 3240 – 2 or 3240-3 etc…
Cheers Raoul
Giday
I am having initialization errors as well… need some help if anyone is around…
Cheers Raoul
Codiau,
I had my Topaz 1 lamps damaged, I would like to know your trick to this issue…
Please mail me: ad4me2you@hotmail.com
Thanks
This scanner has worked well over the past few years…now I’m looking for a bulb and information on how the bulb is replaced and recalibrate. It is a venerable old beast, but it does a VERY good job.
Any help would be appreciated.
Flame