Is It Windows, PaperPort 11, Or Me?

[John Jeffrey]

I have a a problem similar to, but not quite the same as, one bugging Dan
Reardon on this site recently. My Epson 2450 scanner has been working fine
for over a year but for other reasons I had to re-install Win XP Home and
then all peripherals and applications. Now I cannot persuade Paperport 11 to
recognise the scanner, even though it (the scanner) works fine with Epson’s
own ‘Smart Panel’ and also from within Paint Shop Pro XI. It is connected to
the PC by Firewire.

When I first launch Paperport, I get a message that ‘the default scanner is
not attached’, even though it is. If I run Paperport's scanner wizard I am
offered 2 scanner options – one is “TWAIN: EPSON TWAIN 5â€, the other is “WIA:
EPSON Perfection 2450 #2â€. (The #2 might be a result of having tried to
remove and reinstal the scanner earlier in this saga). Is it fair to deduce
from this that it must be seeing something, but for some reason not the
hardware?
The Paperport wizard claims it has ‘successfully configured the scanner to
work with Paperport 11’ but that ‘some tests were skipped’. This is not
surprising, because all the tests are greyed out on the previous window and I
cannot select any. I have removed Paperport and reinstalled but there is no
change.

Since I started this diagnosis, things have got worse. Now a third possible
scanner has been added to the ‘Select’ list, labelled ‘ISIS’; however, all 3
are greyed out, so I cannot select one

I have tried Nuance/Scansoft but they blame Epson's drivers. Since the kit
works fine with other software, it surely can't be that simple. I wonder
what would happen if I completely remove the scanner then re-install it with
paperport running, but I'm not clear what steps I would have to take to
achieve this, anyhow. What on earth can I do now? (Do I sound desperate?
You got it!).

 

[JS]

Disconnect the scanner, uninstall "all" the software that came with the
scanner.
Look/search for any folders "that were not removed during the uninstall
process"
and are associated with scanner or scanner software applications
in that they contain 'Twain' files, and if the folder still exist after the
uninstall, then delete these files and the associated folder.
Then reboot the PC.

Next: Check 'Device Manager' to verify scanner is no longer seen.
(If it's still there remove it and reboot)

Note: Most scanners require that you install the software before
connecting the scanner, so re-install scanner software and then
power down the PC and then reconnect the scanner.

When in doubt, check the scanner or application's users guide
as to the installation procedure.

JS

 

[John Jeffrey]

Thanks to JS for this reply. (Sorry to have taken a while to acknowledge,
but the link in my notification email didn't work!).

I have 2 follow-up queries. First, can I make sure I'm clear about finding
any folders that contain TWAIN files. How do I do that, short of inspecting
every folder on the PC? Win XP Search facility doesn't seem set up to allow
that.

Second, is it likely that the sequence of installation matters, ie should I
install the scanner first, or the software (Paperport 11)? If it's the
scanner, I need to uninstall Paperport before I start this process!

 

[JS]

For installation of the PaperPort software call their Tech. Support group.
They may also be aware of PaperPort not being able to recognize the scanner.
http://support.nuance.com/

As to how to locate those 'Twain' files:

Start/Search/All files and folders
Next in the 'All or part of the file name:' box enter: *twain*.*
Click the 'Search' button.

In the list of files that Search has found you can ignore any
files listed in:
1) C:\Windows
2) C:\Wnidows\system32\....
3) C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\.....
On my PC I have my HP scanner's twain file located in:
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Precisionscan Pro 3.1\TwainCtrl.ocx
There should be something similar on your PC, so in my case at least
I would uninstall the HP Scanner software and if that 'TwainCtrl.ocx file
is still there after uninstalling the scanner software I would delete it.

I also have a second twain file named 'Twain_32.dll' located in:
C:\Program Files\Adaptec\Easy CD Creator 5\PhotoRelay

Your PC may have a folder named:
(I do not have paperport so this is a guess)
C:\Program Files\Nuance\PaperPort\TwainXXXX
I would leave the PaparPort software installed for now.
If Tech Support tell you to uninstall and then reinstall their software
then after uninstalling I would check for and remove any remaining
folders and files (including twain files) not deleted by the uninstall
before reinstalling the software.

In the C:\WINDOWS\twain_32 folder you may have one or more files.
The one "not to delete" is named: wiatwain.ds
(wiatwain.ds is installed by Windows XP)
Any additional files in this folder were most likely created when you
installed the scanner. Check each files 'Properties' and if has 'Epson'
identified as the company then it can be deleted.

JS

 

[John Jeffrey]

That's a really thorough answer, JS - thanks. A lot of work here, so I'll
try it over the next few days. As for Nuance, I tried them first before
coming here, and they were really not too helpful.

JJ

 

[JS]

Yes, I looked at their user's guide and was not a big help, also tried their
knowledge base and found it's search engine lacking.
So if PaperPort's tech support can't help I would suggest uninstalling
paperport as well and they reinstalling after you have the scanner software
installed and have tested the scanner, then install paperport.

There is a nice and free utility I use from time to time that has
scanner support and is named: IrfanView
http://www.irfanview.com/

In IrfanView's menu bar there is a 'File/Select twain source' option.
See if after installing the scanner if IrFanView can access your scanner.

JS