Can't preview scanning with HP Desktop (m7250n) and HP all-in-one(officeJet 1175cxi)

[Mel]

After working well for years, now when trying to preview a scan,"An
error occurred during preview. If the scanner is being used, please
wait for it to complete he task, and then click preview." appears.
Scan preview doesn't work anymore.

The printer prints fine, scans fine, copies fine,... I just can't
preview the scan at all. Not a crippling problem, but makes things
inconvenient when scanning less than full-sized items, as I often do.

What gives?

Mel mricflo AT dr DOT com

 

[Tony Meloche]

After working well for years, now when trying to preview a scan,"An
error occurred during preview. If the scanner is being used, please
wait for it to complete he task, and then click preview." appears.
Scan preview doesn't work anymore.

The printer prints fine, scans fine, copies fine,... I just can't
preview the scan at all. Not a crippling problem, but makes things
inconvenient when scanning less than full-sized items, as I often do.

What gives?

Mel mricflo AT dr DOT com

Well, one (and I do not say the only) possible answer is this - it's common:

Some recent software addition to your computer (think in terms of
"Windows Update", though it certainly could be something else) has a
conflict with one of the files used in scan preview. Neither Microsoft
nor any other company can possibly make sure that their own updated
software will not conflict with millions of other extant software files.
It happens. First, how old is your HP scanner? If it's 3 years or
less, check their website for updated drivers - that may solve the
problem. If it's between 3 and 4 years old, maybe. If it's more than
four years old, they won't be posting any newer drivers for it in the
overwhelming majority of cases.

I had an older (4 yrs. plus) HP all-in-one that I junked because it had
intractable software conflicts with IE7 (I couldn't scan anymore,
period). Turned out to be a blessing in disguise - I got a sale on the
new all-in-one, and I like it much better than I ever did the HP. I
hope you don't have to go to that extreme though! As you say, it's more
just an annoyance in your case, not a critical problem.

Tony