Crap scanner, crap software or crap Screamer

[Worldlife]

Was tempted to part with my money for a fast USB2 scanner to replace a vintage chugging Umax Astra 1220. It's a Voyager One Touch 9000

The installation was ok - green lights on the dashboard and all ready for first scan.

The "bulb warming up message" comes on and then nothing much happens. Paint Shop Pro 7 will on "acquire" command open up the PaperPort De Luxe 7 scanner software but again the thing dies.

My Brother laser printer and the Alcatal Speedtouch Broadband Modem are both happily working on two of the four ports of my newly installed USB2 card. I've swapped the connections around and put the scanner on the port occupied by the printer - no avail.

When trying to close the stalled program from Control Alt Delete
I get the message....

DF4DDE1-F540-11D2-9540 0040052 FC479 Not responding.

Is that a reference to a point on the software program or is it a reference to an area on my computer?

The help pages for Visioneer mention other folks have had the installation stall and there was an ALT and TAB procedure to find and clear the problem.

Do you reckon I am being used as guinea pigs here for sub-standard software?

Is it a reasonable expection that a scanner installation should be a simple first time every time procedure?

I feel inclined to return the scanner and not wait for 48 hours for an answer from Visioneer..............

[gem]

Um. Tough call. I bought an Epson scanner from Dabs Exchange. Scanner is great but the Epson software it c##p.
However, you are not getting even that far - you cannot get it to work thro' PSP so, my thoughts go with the scanner. But I think that I'd wait to see what Visioneer had to say before I 'pounced', if you know what I mean.
I've had six USB devices running all at once on my PC so I'd doubt it was that - unless it requires the new (2.2 is it called?) USB port so try the other USB's as well, they may all look alike but they can be different. If I recall correctly you recently bought a new PC so it will have faster/newer USB's (as well as the 'slower' ones).

[Worldlife]

Thanks Gem....

Could this relate to your problem with Epson to......

Tried to install from CD but got about six error messages so phoned Epson. Was told the trouble was I had SP1 installed and ths gave problems.Also I had Micros0ft patch Q328310 installed and this upset the Smart Panel. Was given info on downloading four patches to overcome problem. Went through the proceedure a few times and,one further call to Epson and all was well.So far am very pleased with its performance but would warn people that if they are using Win XP with SP1 there could be trouble.

I'm not using XP on the computer concerned (W98SE) but I would prefer to see the scanner running on the Desktop and I'm now reluctant to put something potentially dodgy on the new laptop arriving Friday.

Have to look up that patch Q328310

[Worldlife]

New thread started to deal specifically with security issues of patch and service pack problem mentioned here...

Microsoft Security Patch 328310

Carry on scanning and hardware problems here.........

Getting ready to put the gear back in its box - some of the reviews say colour rendition is poor in comparison with other scanner of similar price range.

[Worldlife]

For Mega... if you think you need to buy a new scanner!!!!!

I'm still using my old one!!!!!!!

[Zer02004]

It does seem as though there is a problem with the supplied driver/software or it's installation routine in this case.

However, the golden rule with USB devices is to install the software first and only connect the device when asked to do so.