Scanner and photo utility

John C · Apr 14, 2008, 05:38 PM

One thing I liked abouth Xp is that it had an easy to use scanner and photo utility in bureau accesories. I found out that Vista does't have this. It does have an isntalation wizzard called scanner and photo wizard, but I need the scanning software !

I have serious issues with my scanner in vista. Somthimes it reconises it, somthimes it doesn't.

I can select my scanner in the scanner list, but afther that, usually nothing. And when it does reconnise it and I try to scan with their new software(whatever it is called), I can't becouse it get's stuck up to a point. Yet I get the message that the scanner works perfectly.

Does anyone know a good alternative to the XP scanner and photo software ?

Thanks

John

**temeteus82** · Apr 14, 2008, 05:40 PM

What scanner you got there?

John C · Apr 14, 2008, 05:45 PM

quite an old one. I have a Acer Prisa 620U (win98ready). I installed all drivers and vista seems to be able to track them down correctly.

**temeteus82** · Apr 14, 2008, 05:49 PM

Yeah you are right that's and old one. I'm not 100% sure but did the drivers include utility that allows scanning over WIA? I have older HP psc multifunction device and it works via WIA in Vista.

John C · Apr 14, 2008, 05:58 PM

What do you mean with WIA ?

I asume Windows Image Acquisition (thank you wikipedia)

I don't know... the scanner worked perfectly on win Xp

**temeteus82** · Apr 14, 2008, 06:01 PM

Windows Image Acquisition. It's the driver model and API all in one for graphics software. It enables software to communicate with scanners and other imagining hardware.

Windows Image Acquisition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John C · Apr 14, 2008, 06:08 PM

Well it supports TWAIN, that's realy all I know, but still it worked on winXp since that also had WIA, I don't think it should be a problem

**temeteus82** · Apr 14, 2008, 06:19 PM

Hmm... you have tried the Paint for scanning??

stormy13 · Apr 14, 2008, 09:32 PM

Give this a try maybe,

VueScan Scanning Software

not free, but there is a free trial.

BlueMak · Apr 14, 2008, 10:57 PM

Doesn't Paint.net work for this?

Also, new scanners are not exactly expensive, are they? You can buy one for the same money you would spend on an evening out, cinema, take out = new scanner and they usualy have their own software too.

Anyway, are you looking to scan pictures or text?

OldBuzzard · Apr 15, 2008, 06:48 AM

I know that this doesn't address your immediate problem. but if that scanner is that old, have you considered upgrading? Maybe to something like a Multi-function printer?

I was using a Cannon MP500 for about a year, and just upgraded to an MP530 to get the fax and sheet feed capabilities. Both of those have damned nice scan capabilities. Both have a flat flat bed scanner, and the MP530 has a sheet feeder that will allow for double sided scanning with minimum hassle.

Newegg has the MP530 on sale for 119.00 which is a damned nice price. If your funds are a bit limited (I know that you just had to get a new system), there are other Canon MFCs that are a bit cheaper. I mostly recommend the 530 because of it's Photo Printing capability, and the two black ink carts. One for test and another for photos.

I recommend Canon overall because they are high quality, and their ink carts are cheaper than the other major makers like HP, Lexxmark, and others.

John C · Apr 15, 2008, 01:51 PM

well I've found *new* drivers for this scanner BenQ USA - Service&Support

I tried to isntall XP version of the driver with no effect. I tried that VueScan Scanning Software aswell, no effect.

The scanner, however IS displayed properly displayed is the computer hardware.

Quote:

I know that this doesn't address your immediate problem. but if that scanner is that old, have you considered upgrading? Maybe to something like a Multi-function printer?

No, I'm not concidering that.

**temeteus82** · Apr 15, 2008, 02:57 PM

The MS paint that comes with Vista can use your scanner and it can save files to jpeg so theres the solution?

John C · Apr 17, 2008, 04:41 PM

Ok guy's

I've finaly been able to locate the problem, but it's an odd one.
You see, I have evrything nicely configurated at my desk, scanner here printer there. And ofcourse I don't have enough USB gates and long enough cables to connect evrything, so I use an external extra USB device so I can plug an additional 10 USb's at a nice length.

and for some or the other reason Vista doen't like that. I unplugged it from the extranal and directly plugged it in an now evrything works. The odd thing is, that I didn't had that issue on XP. It didn't mather for it, but it does for vista. (and the external USB is even older then my scanner XD )

WardenWolf · Apr 20, 2008, 04:47 AM

Acer has notoriously horrible driver support and generally horrible products. And with new scanners supporting USB 2.0. it's time to upgrade. Get an Epson. Last I checked, they had the best rating, and I know for a fact they have current Vista32 and 64-bit drivers.

One very likely problem is this: some very old USB products do NOT work correctly with some USB 2.0 hubs and ports. These products were out of spec, and thus no longer work correctly now that the standard has been tightened. Usually in this case, the product simply will not show up, or will show up intermittently. This sounds like what's been happening to you. My advice: get a new scanner.

Companies to avoid for computer accessories:

Belkin (except for cables; their USB hardware in particular has a reputation for dying suddenly)
Acer (support? What support? 3 years from now they'll deny they even made the product)
Adaptec (except for high-end server-grade equipment)

Apr 14, 2008, 05:38 PM	#1
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	Scanner and photo utility One thing I liked abouth Xp is that it had an easy to use scanner and photo utility in bureau accesories. I found out that Vista does't have this. It does have an isntalation wizzard called scanner and photo wizard, but I need the scanning software ! I have serious issues with my scanner in vista. Somthimes it reconises it, somthimes it doesn't. I can select my scanner in the scanner list, but afther that, usually nothing. And when it does reconnise it and I try to scan with their new software(whatever it is called), I can't becouse it get's stuck up to a point. Yet I get the message that the scanner works perfectly. Does anyone know a good alternative to the XP scanner and photo software ? Thanks John

Apr 14, 2008, 10:57 PM	#10
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,483 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Doesn't Paint.net work for this? Also, new scanners are not exactly expensive, are they? You can buy one for the same money you would spend on an evening out, cinema, take out = new scanner and they usualy have their own software too. Anyway, are you looking to scan pictures or text? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Apr 15, 2008, 06:48 AM	#11
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	I know that this doesn't address your immediate problem. but if that scanner is that old, have you considered upgrading? Maybe to something like a Multi-function printer? I was using a Cannon MP500 for about a year, and just upgraded to an MP530 to get the fax and sheet feed capabilities. Both of those have damned nice scan capabilities. Both have a flat flat bed scanner, and the MP530 has a sheet feeder that will allow for double sided scanning with minimum hassle. Newegg has the MP530 on sale for 119.00 which is a damned nice price. If your funds are a bit limited (I know that you just had to get a new system), there are other Canon MFCs that are a bit cheaper. I mostly recommend the 530 because of it's Photo Printing capability, and the two black ink carts. One for test and another for photos. I recommend Canon overall because they are high quality, and their ink carts are cheaper than the other major makers like HP, Lexxmark, and others. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Apr 20, 2008, 04:47 AM	#15
WardenWolf DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 43 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Acer has notoriously horrible driver support and generally horrible products. And with new scanners supporting USB 2.0. it's time to upgrade. Get an Epson. Last I checked, they had the best rating, and I know for a fact they have current Vista32 and 64-bit drivers. One very likely problem is this: some very old USB products do NOT work correctly with some USB 2.0 hubs and ports. These products were out of spec, and thus no longer work correctly now that the standard has been tightened. Usually in this case, the product simply will not show up, or will show up intermittently. This sounds like what's been happening to you. My advice: get a new scanner. Companies to avoid for computer accessories: Belkin (except for cables; their USB hardware in particular has a reputation for dying suddenly) Acer (support? What support? 3 years from now they'll deny they even made the product) Adaptec (except for high-end server-grade equipment) Last edited by WardenWolf; Apr 20, 2008 at 04:58 AM.

Apr 14, 2008, 05:45 PM	Thread Starter #3
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	quite an old one. I have a Acer Prisa 620U (win98ready). I installed all drivers and vista seems to be able to track them down correctly.

Apr 14, 2008, 05:58 PM	Thread Starter #5
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	What do you mean with WIA ? I asume Windows Image Acquisition (thank you wikipedia) I don't know... the scanner worked perfectly on win Xp

Apr 14, 2008, 06:08 PM	Thread Starter #7
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	Well it supports TWAIN, that's realy all I know, but still it worked on winXp since that also had WIA, I don't think it should be a problem

Apr 14, 2008, 09:32 PM	#9
stormy13 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto,Ontario Posts: 111 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Give this a try maybe, VueScan Scanning Software not free, but there is a free trial.

Apr 17, 2008, 04:41 PM	Thread Starter #14
John C HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	Ok guy's I've finaly been able to locate the problem, but it's an odd one. You see, I have evrything nicely configurated at my desk, scanner here printer there. And ofcourse I don't have enough USB gates and long enough cables to connect evrything, so I use an external extra USB device so I can plug an additional 10 USb's at a nice length. and for some or the other reason Vista doen't like that. I unplugged it from the extranal and directly plugged it in an now evrything works. The odd thing is, that I didn't had that issue on XP. It didn't mather for it, but it does for vista. (and the external USB is even older then my scanner XD )