A question to computer geeks: should I blame Microsoft or Canon?
My scanner has been cactus for a while now. One day the TWAIN drivers went missing never to return. Reinstalling the drivers doesn't work. Uninstalling the scanner drivers, deleting the TWAIN32 folders and files then reinstalling it all again doesn't work. Nothing works. The only imaging devices listed when trying to install new hardware are cameras. There isn't a single scanner option available.
I just put up with it for a while but today I figured I'd move the scanner to my fiance's computer instead. Except it won't install. Yep. Same problem. No scanner options when installing, unknown device detected. Worse still we don't have the installation CD. I'm downloading the drivers and software from the internet and they're all as useless as tits on a bull.
I'm not sure what to do now. Reinstalling Windows didn't fix this. Nothing else seems to fix it. I've given up trying to do anything about it because each time I try something new it's a waste of three hours and I end up shittier than when I started.
I guess my big question is should I buy a different brand scanner or is this such an endemic problem with XP that I'm better off keeping the scanner and putting my money toward a Mac to operate it instead? I've seen an HP scanner for $170 but if this is going to happen again regardless of the scanner I'd rather not waste that much money.
Comments
My techie fiance says your scanner is rooted :)
Try a new data cable, but if that doesn't work then a cheaper option than another scanner is to get a low-end multifunction - they're cheaper because the print quality is shit but if you don't print off them then you'll be right.
He'll waive the usual exorbitant techie fee if it works ;)
Hope you get it fixed, but if not, here's hoping you find a great deal on a new one!
Moon phase dust, no. Crimps in the cable, power spikes, connector failures, etc, yes. I have had more USB cables than I can count fail on me when the hardware they connect to still works fine. You're taking a $2-3 cable that was manufactured in bulk somewhere with low QA policies and using it to hook up your $90+ hardware - it's the #1 thing to check and replace for this reason alone.
I don't think it's the scanner or the cable because a couple of months ago it arbitrarily decided to start working again for a couple of days. When I looked it up online a lot of people said that this particular TWAIN problem will sometimes right itself, and sometimes die again. Which is what happened to me. I was just surprised that it didn't work even briefly on my fiance's computer.
The scanner originally shat itself about a year ago so I have no idea if it was an XP update that caused the problem or if it happened at the same time we got our new digital camera. Some forums have suggested that it's new imaging device drivers that can cause this particular problem.
I have an old canon scanner somewhere in the house. I may try that one and see if it works. If I can find it! I may even try the existing scanner on my old, old, old Bondi Blue Mac. If the Mac can handle it given it's still running OS9!
Thanks again for your help everyone!
I don't know if you already know it or not, but if you want computer geek help, try to post your question on:
http://ask.metafilter.com/
That place is full of really knowledgeable and forthcoming people (not only on computers, but literally on everything).
There is a problem though: If you don't have an account there, you have to wait 24 hours (or something like that) before you can ask your question (I think the founder came up with this method to discourage spammers etc.).
AE.
Now, if this is a cable you're carrying around with you, plugging in and unplugging, etc, there is something to be said for having a stronger quality cable, for no other reason than having something that won't break the first time you fold it up and put it in a laptop bag. But I only ever have one of these at a time, and the rest of my cables stay plugged in to my hardware without (usually) an issue. And when one $2 cable fails, I just pull out another $2. I can do this plenty of times before I come close to hitting the break-even point for one of your "good" cables.
http://www.firefold.com/Products/3-Foot-Printer-Cable-USB-20---A-Plug--B-Plug---Black__USB-AB-3-BLK.aspx
You would have to pay ~$1.40 shipping, but they happen to be conveniently in my area, so I could make a point to stop by and pick them up if I needed to and not even pay that.
Usually I buy a 2-3 at a time and stash them for future need, and buying in bulk from some sites also lowers the price.
This is exactly the kind of behavior a faulty cable COULD give you. Let's say the humidity went up/down for a couple days and the cable expanded/contracted enough to work again - you'd have a good scanner for a few days. Then, *pow* right back to broken again.
Not saying it IS the cable, but definitely try another cable if you have one, or try that cable with another scanner (if you can find it). I'd hate to have you buy a new scanner when you didn't have to!
Ah, I didn't realise that a faulty cable could do that! Thanks! I'll definitely keep that in mind for my next piece of equipment that fails me.
The scanner has now decided to work again. While it didn't show up initially on my fiance's computer it's now operating fine. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that it will keep working. If it does pack it in again I'll see if I can get a cheap cable to see if that's the problem. Spare cables never seem to go astray in our place.
Thanks again for all your help everyone.
awesome that it's working again EWQ