Scanner Problem

HB13DISH

I have HP ScanJet scanner with USB and SCSI interface that worked very well for many years until last few months when it started to hang for a long time and then would scan a page after about 15 minutes.
I didn't have the time to solve this problem until today.
Checked my Intel motherboard bios version, downloaded the latest version from their website, changed the bios and then checked the scanner.
Now the scanner is working as well as or even better than before.
The big question is why did it work well before with the previous bios, and then it behaved badly all of a sudden?
Now I wish that I have updated the bios to exactly the same old version, just to see if I had a corrupted bios, as I don't believe that the new bios has helped but rather the updating process did the trick.

compufunk

Thats an odd one , I'd normally be looking at drivers with that type of issue. Updating the BIOS would not have crossed my mind.

It may have been something to do with how the drivers were interacting with the BIOS.

Did you try resetting to defaults before the upgrade? Maybe there was an incorrect setting applied.

HB13DISH

I uninstalled the drivers first, then reinstalled, but this didn't help.
I must admit that I didn't try resetting BIOS to defaults, but I did play with the BIOS menues, especially the USB section (as I am using the USB option, not the SCSI), but no joy.
I am reluctant to downgrade the BIOS to the old one in case it would mess up my motherboard and I do need this PC so I guess I would leave things as they are for the moment.
The latest BIOS version might help with other issues, so I am glad i did the upgrade.
If I can only get a cheap SCSI card and a long cable with the correct connectors (about 3m, I know that SCSI cables should be short), then I might just try out the SCSI option just to see how it compares with the USB (I also tried shorter USB cable like 1.5m, but it didn't help before).
Anyway, thanks for your input.

HB13DISH

That was too good to be true.
Today I tried the scanner, but once again it refused to work, Just like before.
Spent all day trying all kind of tests, tricks, set BIOS to default values, but till now no joy.
Perhaps the scanner itself is faulty?
I don't want to buy another one and then discover it also won't work.
Is there another scanning application I can try or am I stuck with the HP original software?

compufunk

Assuming you are running Windowz XP, you could try the Windowz app. The scanner should be visible in 'My Computer'. If you double click it, that should launch the windowz app.

It will probably be using the same drivers as the HP app, But its worth a try.

The scanner itself may be broken, Do you have access to another PC for testing?

HB13DISH

Thanks, but I am running it under Windows 2000 Pro.

compufunk

I think 2K had a similar application under control panel --> Scanners and Imaging Devices (Not sure about the name),

If you have Photoshop or Fireworks, There is an option in the file menu for importing images from Twain devices. Never used it myself.

I'm sure there is bound to be a few Freeware apps out there that could scanning, I've never had any reason to look.

Edit: I just went and checked on a Win 2k machine, You will find the app here,
Programs-> Accessories -> Imaging

HB13DISH

Thanks a lot compufunk.
I tried what you have suggested but it seems that as long as it opens the HP software, I get the same hang problem.
I usually use the scanner to make pdf files using Acrobat and it behaves the same way.
I will call a day.
Will look for new scanner tomorrow, as prices have gone down since I bought this model. Anyway it would be cheaper than sending this model for servicing.
Would love to try the SCSI interface, but card + cable could cost like a new scanner and in the end might not solve the problem.

compufunk

There is another thing you could try, It should narrow the problem down to either hardware or software,

You could boot your PC to a live version of Linux on either CD or USB. An older well known scanner like yours should be well supported, drivers wise. Its a hassle if you dont already have a disk and need to download and burn an image though, and may prove fruitless.

HB13DISH

I decided today to open the scanner and look for any mechanical or electrical parts that might be faulty.
After going through the security screws that HP uses, I managed to take off all the cover plates and look at the PC cards of the controller and the power supply.
Nothing seemed to be discloured or smelling funny.
Then played with the lamp carriage, moving it several times and also noticed nothing was wobbly or out of the ordinary.
Put everything back, connected to power, did scanner test which passed it and then did some scanning load for about an hour without any problems.
So I guess the scanner needed that HB special touch.
Let's hope it stay that way, as I want to keep the title of this thread unchanged.

PaulR

It just wanted a bit of attention!

When was the last time that you sat down and talked with it?

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PaulR

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HB13DISH

Moved the thread to this section
Yesterday when I connected the scanner to the mains, there was an electrical flash and electrical short that caused power shutdown on the the floor where I work.
No computers, no aircondition, only the lights.
Several neighbouring offices thought it was a power station failure.
Thanked me when I reset all the circuit breakers without having the slightest idea who caused it.
So now I know it is a hardware problem for sure.
Suspect the power supply, but will be wiser when I take the security screws off once again.

Just make me wonder how lucky we are to have so many office equipments powered on, unattended over the night and whole weekends without something like this happens all of a sudden. Just like a time bomb.
I mean it is just a scanner from the best manufacturer HP and see how unreliable it can be.

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T_G

Lol those security bolts are there for a reason! Luckily nothing happened...

I got an older SCSI Agfa scanner, is was quite a good and expensivce one at the time, but I hardly ever use it - and I fancy a small thin usb one. I suppose I could sent it to you + the cable + card for a small amount, but just the shipping would cost more than it is worth...

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HB13DISH

Thanks T_G, you are very kind.
I can pick up quite cheap scanners from Office Depot for about 300 NIS, but I want to try to fix this scanner first as it is really great (when it worked).
I have another HP scanner at home, so I can use that in the meantime.
Will come back to you on this in few weeks time if I am still stuck.
Thanks again.

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