Is it Worth Fixing HP Scanjet 7400?

[csonsini]

i have had my HP Scanjet 7400 for at least 7 or 8 years and I've never
had any problems. That is, until
I set up my newest computer. I keep getting the "unlock scanner"
message, even though the scanner
is unlocked, and the chain/belt is no longer moving.


Would it be worth it for me to have it fixed (IF I can find someone
who fixes them in L.A.) or should
I buy a new one?

If you think I should buy a new one, what do you all recommend? I am
using my old HP 5200 and, while
it works just fine, I need a legal size glass and the 5200 is letter
size. 99% of my scanning is
documents that I then attach to emails or internet faxes.

Thanks so much

Cecelia

 

[CSM1]

i have had my HP Scanjet 7400 for at least 7 or 8 years and I've never
had any problems. That is, until
I set up my newest computer. I keep getting the "unlock scanner"
message, even though the scanner
is unlocked, and the chain/belt is no longer moving.


Would it be worth it for me to have it fixed (IF I can find someone
who fixes them in L.A.) or should
I buy a new one?

If you think I should buy a new one, what do you all recommend? I am
using my old HP 5200 and, while
it works just fine, I need a legal size glass and the 5200 is letter
size. 99% of my scanning is
documents that I then attach to emails or internet faxes.

Thanks so much

Cecelia

Double check that the lock switch in not partly closed. Lock the scanner,
then unlock the scanner.
It is possible the switch moved if you moved the scanner.


I would try the latest driver first, before junking the scanner.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=59553&lang=en&#

 

[Steve Turner]

i have had my HP Scanjet 7400 for at least 7 or 8 years and I've never
had any problems. That is, until
Would it be worth it for me to have it fixed (IF I can find someone
who fixes them in L.A.) or should
I buy a new one?

If you think I should buy a new one, what do you all recommend? I am
using my old HP 5200 and, while
it works just fine, I need a legal size glass and the 5200 is letter
size. 99% of my scanning is
documents that I then attach to emails or internet faxes.

Thanks so much

Cecelia

Go onto eBay and scan for your scanner to see what they're going for. I have
a 6300c and they're worth about $15 according to eBay. Pity, I paid
somewhere around $500-$600 for it. So then it became a question of whether
it was worth putting good money after old. In addition, with time, I've
learned more about scanning. And it is NOT worth putting money into the
machine since it's so old that it scans at a significantly lower rez than
what seems to be standard today. I queried the guys here and I'll share with
you. One guy put me onto Canon and showed me what REAL rez is about these
days. Investigate things like the Canon CanoScan 8800F Flatbed Scanner for
instance. Look at the rez there. Doesn't compare to the HP 6300c for sure!

 

[Edward Kroeze]

Go onto eBay and scan for your scanner to see what they're going for. I
have a 6300c and they're worth about $15 according to eBay. Pity, I paid
somewhere around $500-$600 for it. So then it became a question of whether
it was worth putting good money after old. In addition, with time, I've
learned more about scanning. And it is NOT worth putting money into the
machine since it's so old that it scans at a significantly lower rez than
what seems to be standard today. I queried the guys here and I'll share
with you. One guy put me onto Canon and showed me what REAL rez is about
these days. Investigate things like the Canon CanoScan 8800F Flatbed
Scanner for instance. Look at the rez there. Doesn't compare to the HP
6300c for sure!

OP needs documents scanned (usually 200 - 300 dpi in either color or
greyscale).
So, anything above that is nice, but probably not needed for her.
Unless you want to scan the paperfibers and inkclots at 4800 dpi

OP needs Legal size glass... I think Legal is a bit longer (356 mm) then A4
(297 mm).
AFAIK the 8800F is an A4-sized scanner...

Nothing wrong with the 8800F (especially if you also want to scan the
occasional 35mm slide/negative),
but if she wants a flatbed, the legal size will almost certainly push her
(again) in the professional line of HP.

Cheers,

E.

 

[CSM1]

OP needs documents scanned (usually 200 - 300 dpi in either color or
greyscale).
So, anything above that is nice, but probably not needed for her.
Unless you want to scan the paperfibers and inkclots at 4800 dpi

OP needs Legal size glass... I think Legal is a bit longer (356 mm) then
A4 (297 mm).
AFAIK the 8800F is an A4-sized scanner...

Nothing wrong with the 8800F (especially if you also want to scan the
occasional 35mm slide/negative),
but if she wants a flatbed, the legal size will almost certainly push her
(again) in the professional line of HP.

Cheers,

E.

Or one of the Microtek legal size scanners.
http://www.microtekusa.com/

Here is a good one, uses a ADF for Legal size.
http://www.microtekusa.com/sm5950pro.html