Need help with Canon Scanner

[The Cat Lady]

Hi,
I bought a Canon CanoScan LiDE 30 scanner about a year and a half ago
but haven't gotten around to using it until now because of computer
problems.
I have an IBM laptop and the scanner is powered solely by the connection
to the computer. The software installed fine but it won't recognize the
scanner because my USB plug on the laptop is broken, so I have to use a
plug in USB hub and apparently it won't work if you do that (according
to the troubleshooting guide.)
I didn't see anything on the packaging saying that the scanner won't
work, or won't get enough power, with laptops so would trying a
different cable that I can plug directly into the laptop work? I don't
know what the plug that goes into the actual scanner is called but it is
not USB. It's small like the USB plug, but square in shape and the other
end of the cable is USB. Would I be able to find such a cable? Will it
work? Thanks for any help you can offer.

Megan

 

[CSM1]

Hi,
I bought a Canon CanoScan LiDE 30 scanner about a year and a half ago
but haven't gotten around to using it until now because of computer
problems.
I have an IBM laptop and the scanner is powered solely by the connection
to the computer. The software installed fine but it won't recognize the
scanner because my USB plug on the laptop is broken, so I have to use a
plug in USB hub and apparently it won't work if you do that (according
to the troubleshooting guide.)
I didn't see anything on the packaging saying that the scanner won't
work, or won't get enough power, with laptops so would trying a
different cable that I can plug directly into the laptop work? I don't
know what the plug that goes into the actual scanner is called but it is
not USB. It's small like the USB plug, but square in shape and the other
end of the cable is USB. Would I be able to find such a cable? Will it
work? Thanks for any help you can offer.

Megan

Are you sure that the cable is not a standard USB cable.
Standard USB cables have a A type plug on the computer end and B type plug
on the Scanner end.

Example of a standard USB cable, 2 Meters (about 6 feet) long.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=1502&sku=13172

Since the scanner gets it's power from the USB line, the hub must be a
Powered hub, the Scanner requires all of the power available from a USB
port. About 500 milliamp.

For that reason, the scanner should be connected directly to the computer
port.
If the USB connector on the computer is broken, you probably should get the
computer repaired.

One other thing the computer must be running Windows 98 SE or later to
support USB.

 

[The Cat Lady]

Are you sure that the cable is not a
standard USB cable. Standard USB cables
have a A type plug on the computer end
and B type plug on the Scanner end.
Example of a standard USB cable, 2
Meters (about 6 feet) long.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?ca
t%5Fid=1502&sku=13172

Thank you for responding. Now I feel a little silly, but please
understand I am not computer literate and am just learning. Yes, that is
the cable I have.

Since the scanner gets it's power from
the USB line, the hub must be a Powered
hub, the Scanner requires all of the
power available from a USB port. About
500 milliamp.

  
OK, I did some googling after I posted and read about the powered hub,
which I assume I have as I have to plug it in? It's a Belkin high speed
USB 2.0 notebook card and it says "5 vdc 3A" on it if that means
anything.

For that reason, the scanner should be
connected directly to the computer port.
If the USB connector on the computer is
broken, you probably should get the
computer repaired.

I was told I would need a new motherboard in order to do this and I
can't afford it. :-(

One other thing the computer must be
running Windows 98 SE or later to
support USB.

I have Windows XP home edition.
So now what? I seems that with the powered hub I should be able to do
this. If not is there a different cable I could use that has the b plug
for the scanner end but a different plug for the laptop end? I should
also mention that the message I got on the screen had the word twain in
it if that means anything.
Thanks again for your help (and patience!)

Megan (wishing I knew as much about computers as I do about cats...)

 

[CSM1]

Thank you for responding. Now I feel a little silly, but please
understand I am not computer literate and am just learning. Yes, that is
the cable I have.

OK, I did some googling after I posted and read about the powered hub,
which I assume I have as I have to plug it in? It's a Belkin high speed
USB 2.0 notebook card and it says "5 vdc 3A" on it if that means
anything.

Is a hub or a PC card USB port?
Hubs are what you can plug in an extra 4 devices from one USB port. A PC
card you slide into a slot on the side of the computer.

A USB PC card is a good solution, By the Way.

Here is a Card that would work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815154002

I was told I would need a new motherboard in order to do this and I
can't afford it. :-(

OK. See suggestion above.

I have Windows XP home edition.
So now what? I seems that with the powered hub I should be able to do
this. If not is there a different cable I could use that has the b plug
for the scanner end but a different plug for the laptop end? I should
also mention that the message I got on the screen had the word twain in
it if that means anything.
Thanks again for your help (and patience!)

Megan (wishing I knew as much about computers as I do about cats...)

Computers are easier to learn about then cats <G>.

The message about TWAIN may be that you do not have the TWAIN driver for the
scanner installed.

Windows XP has a bad habit of installing a WIA driver for unknown scanners
that causes problems with the correct installation of the manufactures TWAIN
driver.

Do not connect the scanner until the software is installed.

You should have the software CD that came with the Scanner, you need to
install the software for the Canon Lide 30.

 

[The Cat Lady]

Is a hub or a PC card USB port?

OK, I was assuming because it had two usb plug in thingys (I know...I'm

Computers are easier to learn about then cats
<G>.

Ahhhh, so you've had companions of the feline persuasion?

The message about TWAIN may be that you
do not have the TWAIN driver for the scanner
installed.
Windows XP has a bad habit of installing a WIA
driver for unknown scanners that causes
problems with the correct installation of the
manufactures TWAIN driver.
Do not connect the scanner until the software is
installed.
You should have the software CD that came
with the Scanner, you need to install the
software for the Canon Lide 30.

After reading the above, and since I couldn't remember if I had anything
plugged in, I took off everything I had installed and started from
scratch, making sure nothing was connected to the laptop while doing so.
And what do you know? It works!!!

I scanned this just for you (I sent it to my photo album and linked to
it since this is not a binary group):
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL320/476350/7469946/97698401.jpg

Thank you so much for your time, patience and help!!!!

Megan- now a happy scanner!

 

[CSM1]

OK, I was assuming because it had two usb plug in thingys (I know...I'm


Ahhhh, so you've had companions of the feline persuasion?

No, I am a no cat, no dog person. I did have a pet dog many years ago.

After reading the above, and since I couldn't remember if I had anything
plugged in, I took off everything I had installed and started from
scratch, making sure nothing was connected to the laptop while doing so.
And what do you know? It works!!!

I scanned this just for you (I sent it to my photo album and linked to
it since this is not a binary group):
http://pic10.picturetrail.com/VOL320/476350/7469946/97698401.jpg

Thank you so much for your time, patience and help!!!!

Megan- now a happy scanner!

That is a cute poster.
March 1898, now that is antique.

Now, I am happy that you got everything working!