Win XP Scanner problem

[macrossjxs]

Hi,

I have an Acer 6696-AQA scanner, connected via Serial port.

I recently upgraded to WinXP home edition.

I installed what I believe is the right the scanner driver (mirascan 3424p_BQA). I see the "BQA" instead of "AQA" but the website where I located the driver has text that says this driver works for my scanner model.

With Photoshop up and running, I can select "import\ mirascan" and my scanner makes noise likes its ready to go, and sometimes the scanner's client software does engage, but actually trying to scan doesn't work.

With the scanner powered on and plugged into the computer, and with a fresh PC power up, Win XP launches its "install new device" wizard, but when I point it to the mirascan folder to get the driver, it doesn't see that there are the right files to install the scanner.

If I allow the wizard to go online for a search, it comes back negative. Based on the text in the wizard, WinXP knows that its a flat-bed scanner.

I've spent over 95 minutes on the phone with Dell to get to an agent who disconnected me 30 mintes into not knowing what to do and referring to my scanner as a printer, most of the time.

Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
-Josh

PS: Acer sold its scanner business to a firm named BenQ. BenQ's site hasa list of device drivers, but my scanner model number is not amongst them.

www.benq.us/ServiceAndSupport/Drivers/index.cfm?productline=9

[jeffkrol]

A friend at work has an ACER (not sure of the model number) parallel port scanner that he tried to get to work w/ XP w/ limited success. I had it working fine for him for awhile but he lost it some time ago due to some conflicts w/ a printer.. I'll tell you what I told him. Get a modern USB one.
Personally I just bought a bunch of used Epson Expressions SCSI based scanners and some cheap Advansys cards to go with them. This combo worked on every system I tried so far (limited to a few xp and 98 boxes) Must admit playing SCSI adapter cable tag is no fun. Today it would be cheaper to get a brand new one.
Here's a driver link and let XP set it up w/ the scanner wizard.
http://www.scanner-drivers.com/drivers/117/117619.htm

[Ferrit]

Well to start that a parall port printer not serial port.
XP does not like them much at all. Its a really iffy thing getting XP to use it
if you instaleled the mirascan drivers and program and it still doesnt see it.
Have a look in the control panel for the scanner wizard and see if its listed there

[macrossjxs]

Thanks for the location on the driver.

I uninstalled the other one, powered down & up, installed the one from your link.

When unzipped this Driver folder, it contains a readme document that directs the user as follows:

1. click the .exe to install the driver

2. after installation, allow the "Scanner and Camera" wizard to pop up.

3. at the screen where you pick the device driver to install, choose the option: "I have the Device Driver"

4. Enter the address (for example "D:\epp2k.inf”)

So I have acquired the ".inf" file independently of the driver at the above link. BUT when I paste the address to where this .inf resides on my C Drive, WinXP doesn't see it, and so...

...my device manager knows its connected to a scanner but it doesn't know what kind and I can't use it.

-Josh

[macrossjxs]

On the "Serial or Parallel" port thing. I started out thinking it was a parallel port.

But the technician at Dell said it was a Serial.

So to check myself, I did an online picture search, and it is indeed a Prrallel connection, not a Serial.

Apologies for getting it mixed up.

Thanks,
-Josh

[jeffkrol]

If I remember correctly XP used to ask you wht port the scanner was on. That's whre you tell it it's a parallell port. Just checked the "wizard" and all it gives is an autodetect option. Just to make sure, your parallel port does function or has been installed? Check "device manager" for lpt port need the twain driver installed as well as device "inf" file. Is there a listing for it in contrl:system:hardware:device manager??

[macrossjxs]

In the Device Manager there is a category-listing named "Ports (COM & LPT)".

Branched beneath this line, there are 2 listings: "Communications Port (COM1)" and "ECP Printer Port (LPT1)".

Now above the "Ports (COM & LPT)" category, there is a Question Mark icon with the text "Other devices".

When I expand "Other devices", one listing is branched under it, and it's "Color FlatbedScanner11".

For the "Color FlatbedScanner11" if I look at its Properties, under the "Driver" Tab, there is no information specific to a driver. And if I select the button, "Driver Details" the system reports: "No driver files are required or have been loaded for this device."

If I select the "Update Driver" button to launch the Hardware Update Wizard, then within the wizard browse to the C-drive location where the .inf and twain files exist, the system doesn't see them as being selectable files.

-Josh

[jeffkrol]

Try to right click on the inf and run install. As you mentioned I think you may have the wrong inf file. Then try the "don't search I will choose from list choice" And see if you can find the driver.

[macrossjxs]

Hello,

I just wanted thank you for your help and assistance. I just got off the phone with a rep from BenQ who says that they have not issued a WinXP compliant driver for my scanner model and that they don't expect to be doing so, ever.

They supoorted this Acer scanner up to Windows 2000 and to BenQ's knowledge the Windows 2000 driver does not cross-over to work correctly for Windows XP.

Generally speaking I don't like replacing equipment that isn't broken, but that's just the way it goes sometimes.

Thanks again for you expertise and time.
-Josh ^__^