Umax Scanner using VistaScan v3.82 has encountered a problem

[ray123]

Hello. All of a sudden my Umax scanner using VisataScan v3.82 in winXP pro/sp2 just started this message, "Umax VistaScan v3.82 has encountered a problem and needs to close." It refuses to work. I've been using it for years and for over a year with WinXP. I have no idea of what to do to get it to work again. Any advice greatly appreciated. thank you

[glc]

Have you uninstalled and reinstalled VistaScan?

[ray123]

Yes, I have. But it continues to not work. One thing about WinXP is that I have had to reinstall it more often than I did in Win98SE. Seems to attract various odd behaviors that are difficult to determine. One message I did get was that it is "Being used by other application" at one point. Some other app must be interfering. Hard to isolate which one it might be. I am in the process of using another computer I just finished building but it would be nice to figure out why this happened in case it happens again. Never happened before.

[glc]

Please verify your version of VistaScan - the latest I see on the Umax site is 3.55. Please list your exact scanner model.

Note that Umax is now charging for software downloads (European site) and selling CD's (US site). The Euro site is offering WinXP patches free, but they require certain versions of VistaScan. If your Umax is an older model, it might be time to buy a new scanner, today's entry level dirt cheap scanners are better than the top of the line models from 5 years ago. Keep the Umax for a 98 box or find someone with 98 that needs a basic scanner.

[ray123]

It is a 3400 using VistaScan v3.82. It is clearly not the scanner, as it works fine in my Mac. It's just some system problem that I probably will never be able to solve. I may buy another scanner but it's too bad, as there is nothing wrong with it. I've had it working for quite some time. Just some strange interference somewhere with some application of some kind.

[glc]

From the Umax Europe site on the 3400:

VistaScan Version 3.82 USB

WindowsXP built-in drivers support directly basic scanning functions of this scanner. The installation of Umax drivers is not necessary. The limitation of the Microsoft drivers is the lack of support for scan buttons and transparency adapters. See Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List.

As WinXP supports the Scanner with an own WIA driver model it is necessary to manually exchange the standard scanner driver. For this, open the Device Manager and double click on the scanner entry in the category Imaging Device. In the Properties dialog window, tab "Driver", click "Update driver" and select the option "Software from a list...". In the next Step select the option "Do not search...". The Hardware-Assistant will display the available drivers. Select the UMAX Driver: "USB Scanner". Ignore (!) the Warning that the driver has no WindowsXP Logo certificate and continue with the installation. Restart WinXP. Now you can either launch VistaScan directly or use it as a Twain module within compatible applications. (See the images for illustration of this installation process. The driver is also available on the Umax Windows service CD.)
VistaScan Updater to version 3.82 (2.5 MB) Requires installed version 3.75
VistaScan 3.82 full installation (~38MB). Download price:2,99€

---------------------------------

The US site indicates that 3.75 is the current version, and a patch is required for XP.

[ray123]

But that is not the problem. I am well ahead of you. I've done all those things you mentioned. I have the correct driver and have had it working for quite some time; and now, all of a sudden, after over a year, it has stopped working.

[ray123]

Umax actually e-mailed me a response. I couldn't believe it. The first solution worked without the patch:
First try this: Go to your C drive-open, VistaScan folder-open, Vista 32-right click, properties-open, Compat.mode- open: If you do not have anything checked - then put a check in 98. Apply & Ok.
Then try to open the Vista Scan: Start, Programs, Vista Scan.
If you still get the 3.82 error then disconnect the scanner, do a restart, & download & run this link:
ftp://69.15.148.138/scanners/vistasc...xxx_XP_upd.exe ,
reconnect then Restart.
Try to access Vista Scan again.
Please advise.
Best of luck & thanks for contacting Umax.
Dave.