More HP Scanjet 4890 problems

[lee]

I have a HP Scanjet 4890 and a Mac running Mac OS X 10.4. Recently, I
have been having problems with the scanner. Usually, I turn on the
scanner, then the computer, then I try to launch either HP Scan Pro
(which came with the scanner) or VueScan (which I bought). Then, one of
three things usually happens.

1) Both HP Scan Pro and VueScan say that there is no scanner connected
to my computer. When I check in Apple System Profiler, it says the
same.

2) HP Scan Pro says there is no scanner connected; VueScan crashes.
When I check with Apple System Profiler, it says that the scanner is
there.

or 3) Everything works fine.

The problem is that, lately, my scanner has been doing 1) and 2) a lot
more often and 3) not at all. I have the newest scanning software, have
run the scanner's hardware test, and have checked the integrity of the
scanner's cables (the power cable, anyway). Please Advise.

 

[CSM1]

I have a HP Scanjet 4890 and a Mac running Mac OS X 10.4. Recently, I
have been having problems with the scanner. Usually, I turn on the
scanner, then the computer, then I try to launch either HP Scan Pro
(which came with the scanner) or VueScan (which I bought). Then, one of
three things usually happens.

1) Both HP Scan Pro and VueScan say that there is no scanner connected
to my computer. When I check in Apple System Profiler, it says the
same.

2) HP Scan Pro says there is no scanner connected; VueScan crashes.
When I check with Apple System Profiler, it says that the scanner is
there.

or 3) Everything works fine.

The problem is that, lately, my scanner has been doing 1) and 2) a lot
more often and 3) not at all. I have the newest scanning software, have
run the scanner's hardware test, and have checked the integrity of the
scanner's cables (the power cable, anyway). Please Advise.

I would take a serious look at the USB cable and the end that plugs into the
scanner.

I have seen USB cables that had too much rubber around the connector and it
hit the case of the scanner, not allowing the cable to plug in fully.

The cure was to shave some of the rubber from the connector so that it no
longer hit the case.