What is BlueSCSI?
BlueSCSI is an open source hardware project that combines a Blue Pill (STM32) and a custom PCB. It appears as one or several SCSI hard drives to your vintage computer or sampler. You can use it to replace existing (and probably dying) SCSI drives, or as additional drives in your machine.
It stores its data on a microSD card readable by any Mac, Windows or Linux machine. This makes exchanging data with the modern world a breeze. Up to 7 drives can be set up on one microSD card.
Versions
| Desktop | DB-25 | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Connector | Internal (50 pins) | External (D-Sub 25 pins) |
| Storage | microSD card (not provided) | microSD card (not provided) |
| SCSI Termination | Enabled and disabled via jumpers on the board | Always active |
| Power* | Provided by the SCSI cable | Provided by the SCSI port |
| LED | Activity and Power LEDs can be connected | None |
We offer three assembly levels for each model:
Fully Assembled: Set up your microSD card (not provided), connect your BlueSCSI to your computer and you’re done. The fully assembled Desktop comes with a tray, and the fully assembled DB25 comes with a case.
Kit with Soldered microSD Card Slot: Everything you need to assemble your own, without the hassle of dealing with the slightly tricky mounting of the microSD Card slot. All soldering is done through-hole, so this is a great one to get if you have a little bit of soldering practice and want a fun and easy project to work on. The Desktop version comes with two 330 ฮฉ resistors that protect the external LEDs. For a brighter light, you may use 220 ฮฉ resistors instead but, considering the age of the LEDs you will probably be powering, we don’t recommend it. A tray or a case are available separately.
Kit with Unsoldered microSD Card Slot: As above, but you’ll have to solder the microSD Card slot yourself.
*If the machine doesn’t supply Termination Power (Mac Plus or Mac IIsi for example), the USB port on BlueSCSI can be used to provide an external power source. In addition, the Desktop version features a Berg connector that can be used for that purpose. See this page for compatibility information.
All the technical details are available on the official page for the project on GitHub.
Shop
Add one or several items, and adjust the quantities in your cart (at the top of the page).
FAQ
Where can I learn more about BlueSCSI?
The official project page on GitHub has all the information you need on BlueSCSI.
Which firmware version of BlueSCSI do you install?
We always ship the latest version of the firmware. Currently, it’s version 20220917, with the USB bootloader. This means that you will be able to upgrade your BlueSCSI yourself in the future, using a USB cable and the instructions found here.
Can I update the firmware myself?
The firmware version can be found on the VERSION line of the log file that BlueSCSI keeps on the microSD card.
If your BlueSCSI firmware is 20220411 or later, you can update it through USB.
If it’s older, you will need to own an ST-Link and go through a fairly risky procedure to do so. Alternatively, we can upgrade your firmware for you so that it’s upgradeable via USB in the future. Choose the “Upgrade to the latest firmware” article in the shop above. You will mail your BlueSCSI to us, we will do the procedure for you and mail it back. A detailed procedure will be provided after purchase.
More information is available here.
Does BlueSCSI work on my machine?
We successfully tested BlueSCSI on these machines:
- Macintosh Plus (with additional power)
- Macintosh SE/30
- Macintosh LC
- Macintosh LC III
- Macintosh LC 475
- Macintosh IIcx
- Macintosh IIci
- Macintosh Colour Classic
- Mystic Macintosh Colour Classic
- Macintosh Quadra 660av
- Power Macintosh 7100
- Power Macintosh 8500
Many more machines are supported, including some samplers and Amiga. The full list can be found right here.
Where do you ship to ?
We ship from Belgium to all continental European countries, and all countries of the European Union via Air Mail. So far, we have users in the following places:
๐ฆ๐น Austria, ๐ง๐ช Belgium, ๐ง๐ฌ Bulgaria, ๐ญ๐ท Croatia, ๐จ๐ฟ Czech Republic, ๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark, ๐ช๐ช Estonia, ๐ซ๐ฎ Finland, ๐ซ๐ท France, ๐ฉ๐ช Germany, ๐ฌ๐ท Greece, ๐ญ๐บ Hungary, ๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland, ๐ฎ๐ช Ireland, ๐ฎ๐น Italy, ๐ฑ๐บ Luxembourg, ๐ณ๐ฑ the Netherlands, ๐ณ๐ด Norway, ๐ต๐ฑ Poland, ๐ต๐น Portugal, ๐ท๐ด Romania, ๐ธ๐ฐ Slovakia, ๐ธ๐ฎ Slovenia, ๐ช๐ธ Spain, ๐ธ๐ช Sweden and ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland.
We also ship to the following countries (you could be the first customer there!):
๐ฆ๐ฑ Albania, ๐ฆ๐ฉ Andorra, ๐ง๐พ Belarus, ๐ง๐พ Bosnia and Herzegovina, ๐จ๐พ Cyprus, ๐ฌ๐ช Georgia, ๐ฌ๐ฑ Groenland, ๐ฑ๐ป Latvia, ๐ฑ๐ฎ Liechtenstein, ๐ฒ๐ฉ Moldavia, ๐ฒ๐จ Monaco, ๐ฒ๐ช Montenegro, ๐ท๐ธ Serbia, ๐น๐ท Turkey, ๐บ๐ฆ Ukraine and ๐ป๐ฆ the Vatican.
If your country is not in these lists, take a look at the other BlueSCSI sellers. Chances are that someone will be able to help you.
How much does shipping cost?
To reduce costs as much as possible, we ship via Air Mail. Shipping costs are calculated based on weight and are displayed accordingly in the cart:
- Under 100 g, shipping is 8 โฌ.
- Over 100 g, shipping is 13ย โฌ.
How long does it take, and what do I get?
We ship generally within a week of your order, sometimes less. In most cases, it takes between 5 and 10 business days to arrive. The padded envelope contains your order and instructions.
What’s your return policy?
Every fully assembled BlueSCSI is tested on actual hardware (a Macintosh IIci) before shipment. It must be able to boot the machine fully and perform sustained read and write tests. In the unlikely event your fully assembled BlueSCSI is not functional upon arrival, you have a 14 days window to return it and we’ll refund you.
We do not offer returns on the kits. But if you need help or pointers, get in touch.
How can I get in touch with you?
If you have any question or request, get in touch on Twitter or by e-mail: bluescsi at onegeekarmy.eu (all together). You can sometimes find me on the Discord server for BlueSCSI.
I’ve seen people sell BlueSCSI online but they’re not listed on the official sellers page. Can I trust them?
Maybe.
However, BlueSCSI is an open source and open hardware community project. By selling BlueSCSI without permission, these resellers go against the terms of the license. They choose to profit from the work and the active collaboration of the community, without contributing themselves.
The official sellers are all active members of the community and, by supporting them, you support the project as a whole.
What is the “Platinum” color?
It’s a light grey color that closely matches the tint of the “Snow White” design language used in the early Macintoshes and the late Apple II.
What’s this “Disk Jockey” thing I’ve heard about?
Disk Jockey is a macOS application I wrote in my spare time to help you create blank disk images for your BlueSCSI (or any other device or emulator that works with disk images). It has its own page explaining it all.