Paul Conrad, Workstation Technician

Thursday I made a site visit to the Wabasha Public Library to upgrade their microfilm reader’s host computer.  It had been using an original Gates grant computer with Windows NT.  My goal was to upgrade the computer to a more modern operating system, retain the special software used to control the microfilm reader scanner and to offer additional functionality that was unavailable with Windows NT.  I ordered a new hard drive for the computer so if things went horribly wrong, I could always reconnect the original hard drive and no harm would be done. 

I restored a Windows XP image from an identical Gates grant computer onto the new hard drive.  Then I took the new hard drive with me to Wabasha.  I documented the site specific information from the NT build, such as: printers, host name, which SCSI card was installed for the microfilm reader.  Then I swapped hard drives, and customized the Windows XP hard drive.  To keep things standard with Wabasha’s other public computers I customized a patron sign on for them, instead of creating a new one.  The custom software for the microfilm reader was installed, and a current twain driver was obtained from Konica – Minolta’s website.  When all was said and done, they now have a Windows XP computer that controls the microfilm reader along with its special custom software.  Some of the new benefits from the upgrade: the ability to copy saved scans to USB memory sticks and to e-mail them via web based e-mail such as Yahoo!, MSN or G-Mail.

I am aware that there are other libraries in our region that have similar microfilm reader scanner printing devices.  If you have one and would like to discuss your upgrade options with me, please contact the SELCO Helpdesk.  I would be happy to consult with other libraries regarding upgrade projects of this nature.