Scanner: UMAX

[Bobbi]

Background:
I just purchased a new computer, XP-Home, I had been using
98SE for past 5years. I have a UMAX Astra 1220U scanner.
I have just purchased new software from UMAX for my
scanner, went from V-2.1 to V-3.5. This did not resolve
my problem.

Problem:
When I click to open my Vista Scan, I get the following
message:
Error Message
Scanner Access Fail
Solution:
Can not find UMAX scanner, Please check the following
items:
1)The interface card is not installed properly.
2)The interface card's address conflicts with others.
3)the scanner is not power on and ready.
4)The SCSI cable is not firmly connected from card to the
scanner.
5)Your scanner is not power on before your system start.

I have installed, unistalled, and reinstalled my scanner 3
or 4 times. All cables are connected properly.
Now I have also gone: My computer; right click,
properties; hardware, devise manager, and disabled "this"
device drive, that did not work either.

Problem:
Can not use the Vista Scan program to scan, which has some
very good features that I really like.
I can however, go: My computer; click on the icon for
UMAX, Astra 1220u, and use what appears to be a scan
wizard in the XP system, which I am not crazy about.

Question:
Is there some way to make the system recognize my
scanner/software/drive so I can use that?

Any and all help appreciated.
Thank you
Bobbi

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

VistaScan, at least the version you purchased, which by the way is a bit old
as I was using it a few years ago, is not compatible with XP. However, the
A1220U is compatible with XP without any additional software. I used to
have the same scanner and, as I recall, all I had to do was connect it. It
works with XP's Scanner and Camera Wizard. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\Scanner and Camera Wizard.

You only need to boot the system, connect your scanner, it should give you a
message that it is found new hardware, ask if you wish to choose from what
media to install or do it automatically. Choose automatic and it should
find the necessary driver.

There are various workarounds to get VistaScan to work but I can tell you,
it is not worth the effort. If you want fuller featured software with
capabilities similar to VistaScan, at this point, it would be better for
your to purchase a new scanner as Umax is not supporting this scanner with
new software in XP.

 

[Bobbi]

Thank you for your response.
I know the scanner is old, I'v been using it for over
5yrs, but it has some features that I really like. I had
purchased another scanner about 2yrs ago and ended up
giving it to my son.
I did find a way to get the system to recognize my
VistaScan driver and now I can use it with all it's
functions.
Someone on another forum I posted to, sent me a link to
UMAX, Record ID: SC00297, Discription: How to install the
Astra 1220U to Win XP using VistaScan X. That was the
updated software I had purchased. v-3.55.
But I want to thank you again for taking your time to
respond.

Bobbi

 

[Bob P.]

I had the same problem in November of 2003 and got help from a
newsgroup. When finished the scanner will work better than it did
in Win98. At least it does for me.

Go to www.umax.de. This site is in German & English. GO to support,
downloads, scanner model 1220U and download two files. Updater for
Windowsxp (1MB) and Vistsascan 355u (9MB). First, I uninstalled all
the old Vistascan software. Make sure its all gone, then load the
v355u and then the updater file. If you have trouble finding the
English version look for a British flag.

Good Luck, BP

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're welcome, sorry I couldn't be of more help. You should realize that
as new iterations of Windows appear, getting VistaScan to work will become
ever more problematic. I don't blame you however, I very much liked the
application myself.

 

[Bobbi]

Yea, I really like the features offerred on the UMAX,
haven't seen them on other scanners. So the $14.95 plus
tax for the new software, shipping was free, was well
worth it. Better than putting out for a new scanner I
probably would not be all that happy with. The
instructions provided by UMAX for installing and getting
the system were pretty easy, that was once I found the
right "help" from them. If you still have your old UMAX
1220U around it might be worth getting the new software.
For this model there was no download, had to purchase the
CD and wait for it to come in the mail. But now, it was
worth the wait.

Bobbi

 

[Bobbi]

I couldn't find a download for my scanner, so I bought the
CD, once I found the right place in UMAX "help" to install
the software and get the system to recognize VistaScan
drive and not the Microsoft drive (wizard was a bust) I am
very happy with my VistaScan. It has great features,
haven't seen on other scanners.

Bobbi