New Scanner Problems... Can't communicate with computer, unable to open TWAIN source

I've received a LiDE 50 for xmas...and I'm having exactly the same annoying problem!

If only they'd put on the box "Not compatible with Dell" it wouldn't be such a problem!

 

I'm running Windows 98 on a Dell Dimension D300.  I've tried everything from:

- removing all USB related software and devices.

- installing in safe mode.

- downloaded latest software from Canon.

- removing USB controller and root hub.

- Checking Dell for USB updates.

 

I've just read your message, Wildcatfan, of Canon suggesting you try the stimon.exe - it's on my machine....and guess what ---- that didn't work either!

Come on Dell - fix your machines! I've been out today and tried my new scanner on three other machines (none Dells and they all accepted it and I had the scanner up and running in 5 minutes!).

Whilst I posted a message/reply on here, I emailed Dell support...their reply was this:

".........With regard to the problem you are facing , I  request you to please contact the manufacturer of the Scanner."

Even though they sell these scanners as part of deals when buying a pc from them.

Whe you installed the scanner did you hook the scanner up first or did you install the software first and then hook up the scanner?  The proper procedure is to instlal the software and then when the installation program tells you connect the scanner to the PC.  This is important for a successful install of almost and scanner or printer.

Most installation programs have a test step in the installation that you scan in some document to make sure it's working.  If the Canon installation has that, did (or does) that work?  Does the Canon software have a program for scanning, if it does try that and see if it scans? 

Almost all scanners come with a physical (mechanical) lock on the scanner mechanism,  check to make sure that it is "unlocked". 

Finally, uninstall the scanner and the scanner software from your PC, restart Windows and do a new install and see what happens. 

Dell (or any PC) vendor's support for peripherals that are sold with a PC are very limited.  In almost all cases you have to deal with the peripheral vendor, not Dell.  This would be no different that purchasing a scanner or printer at Wal-Mart or Best Buy or wherever, you would have to deal with the printer or scanner manufacturer for support and warranty.  Internal parts in a computer are different, such as a SoundBlaster sound card as these are "OEM" models and are sold to PC vendors at a discount because the PC manufacturer assumes the warranty and support for the device.

Thanks for replying so soon...

I've been through that many combinations I've actually tried both connecting after (as is standard) AND before - since on Canon site it actually suggests trying before...

There is a test exe that comes on teh CD that detects the scanner...this fails saying it basically can't detect it...

It works fine on other PCs that I've tried it on..so obviously I can't send it back as faulty goods..

Yep, the unlock thing was the first thing I did (I work for an IT consultancy and the last few weeks before xmas holidays I spent trying to install an HP scanner onto a Dell and just sent it back as "incompatible with Dell"!).

I've even took the drastic step of re-installing Windows!

Have you tried the front panel USB ports?  Seems Dell's have more drive power on the front panel ports and sometimes if something won't work on the rear connectors it will on the front.

Also, make sure the "enhanced" USB is enabled in the BIOS, if you have any 2.0 ports.  I recently worked on a Gateway for a customer and they were complaining the 2.0 wasn't working (the PC was supposed to have both 1.1 and 2.0 ports).  I found the "enhanced" was not enabled in the BIOS and once I did that the Windows Device Manager showed the enhanced in the USB and the ports that were supposed to be 2.0 worked properly.

cheers for the reply but it's an 'old' Dimension XPS 300 and only has 2 normal USB ports at the back of the machine,

 

Tony

Hello,

I don't exactly remember how many hours I wasted connecting an ALDI-Scanner "MD 6190" to my DELL Dimension 8300. ALDI is the biggest discounter in Germany and known for its good quality of electronic products.

 

I joined two days before DELL-Community-Forum and found the thread of wildcatfan27. I saw that other people had the same problems like me.

 

But most important: I found the advice of fireberd : "Have you tried the front panel USB ports?" I avoided until yesterday to use the front ports because they are a litlle bit difficult to handle. I must go on my knees or lay down to find out the port (I am 63 years old). But I did it: The scanner is working without any problems. Is that not a miracle?

 

I find, DELL should mention the strange attitude of their USB-ports somewhere, e.g. in the installation instructions.

 

Thand you fireberd, wildcatfan and tonyb007.

 

 

Greetings from the old country,

Peter

I it's an older PC, I wonder if the ports that are on it are compatible with the newer hardware? The Scnner is probably a USB 2.0 device but it is supposed to be backward compatible with USB 1.1.  However if it's got 1.0 USB ports on it, that may be an issue.  I don't recall seeing what Operating system you are using.  If it's Win98, you may need at least Win98SE.  If it's Windows XP, you need the SP1 update, etc.

 

Peter, Danke

I'm running Windows 98 SE....not sure which version of USB though? Assuming 1.1.

Hardware isn't my speciality - I'm a software developer.

Can I determine the version of USB my machine is running/using?

Or is it just a case that:

Win98 = USB 1.0

Win98 SE = USB 1.1

Win 2000, etc. = USB 2.0

????

 

Also, in trying to resolve this, I've spent a good few hours today talking to engineers at Canon - one of which is going to call back after he's tested a few ideas............

..................................

Tony

Hello tonyb,

I don't think that your connection-problems are problems of the USB version. I suppose your version is 1.1 and  I think you will not find it on your PC. USB 2.0 exists since the year 2002; but generally, USB 2 hardware is always down-compatible.

I bought before 6 weeks a brandnew 2.0 USB Scanner. On my old notebook with USB 1.0, I had no problems (naturally it works very slow). The problems I had was with my brandnew DELL Dimension (USB 2.0).

I think, USB 2.0 is a little bit problematic. In our german PC-journals you find always an article like "problems with your USB connection?" Why???

My actuel printer (HP) works with an parallel port. When I had to buy a new one, it must have a parallel connection.

If you want to know more about USB, please look at www.usb.org.

 

I wish you and all the others an happy New Year,

Peter

 

 

PS: I hope, my English is comprehensible. I use the forum to improve it.

Cheers Pedrog,

Your English is fine...

So, if what you're saying it correct and the USB version isn't such a problem, then it might be the case of the voltage being output from the USB port isn't quite 500mA as it should be.

I seem to be getting the impression, from reading on this forum, that the range of Dell machines seem to be a bit unreliable when it comes to the voltage output on the rear USB ports.  Especially with the newer machines that also have the front ports.

One option someone from Canon mentioned was the use of a powered hub....but didn't advise on this as it was only a thought and not a definite solution.  I'm trying to borrow one before buying one...

And last resort I'm going to go buy new parts and build my own PC - due to the fact that I don't think I've ever installed anything straight away with my Dell...there's always been one problem or another.  Granted it's been reliable over the last 4 or 5 years but I think this is the straw that's about to break the camels back...

Well, after a very long xmas holiday trying to install my xmas present - I've finally cracked it - sort of.....

After speaking with Canon (I'm still waiting for another call back), they sent me some sti*.dll files which I put into the c:\windows\system folder to see if it made any difference - Surprisingly they didn't. So I thought maybe the dll's hadn't registered properly since they were just copied into the folder rather than via an install process so I manually tried to register them. Bad move...gradually over the next day or two my machine finally ground to a complete halt (good timing - first day of the new year and all!) and today I had to resort to FDISK'ing my C: drive and re-installing windows totally - a completely clean install.

I installed 98, then 98 SE upgrade, then the Canoscan software. Then I rebooted, plugged the scanner in and what do you know - the bloody thing worked first time!!!

If only I'd read in the installation instructions for the scanner more closely:

"Step 1 - Format C: drive.
Step 2 - Re-install windows 98SE.
Step 3 - Install scanner drivers and software.
Step 4 - Plug in scanner."

I don't think I'll buy any more hardware or another Dell pc ever again if this is how difficult it is to just install a £50 scanner!!!!!!

I think I need another 2 weeks holiday now just to recover from this holiday!


Thanks for everyones input over the last few weeks.

I'm now spending the next few days (or weeks) re-installing all my other software and hardware...hopefully everything will still work at the end of it!



Happy New Year all.
Tony

This may be a long shot, but have you tried unplugging the scanner's power cord and then plugging it back in?  My Visioneer had a similar problem as yours.  I unplugged the usb cord, reinstalled the drivers, but nothing worked.  Finally I unplugged the power supply from the wall socket and plugged it back in.  Everything has worked fine since.

Peter

need  to know how to set my HP canner printer psc 750 to my dell 4600. i have it connected, the printer works great, the scanner will not work .

twain scorce  unable to activate . how to I do this.?

Sue