Silverfast , Epson and Blue screen

[Gary]

I am using Win XP Pro, the latest version of lasersoft silverfast
driver silverfast SFE 6.4.1r4b for my epson 4870. When I have the
scanner on all works fine. But when I have the scanner off and start
the driver I get a blue screen of death with the message
IRQL_not_less_or_Equal. I have tried running in safe mode and when I
run the SF driver with the scanner off I get an error that it could
not find the scanner. Since the scanner is turned off that is the
mesage I would expect. Getting a Blue screen is not. Has anyone had
this issue or know what may be causing the problem?

Thanks

Gary

 

[ah]

I am using Win XP Pro, the latest version of lasersoft silverfast
driver silverfast SFE 6.4.1r4b for my epson 4870. When I have the
scanner on all works fine. But when I have the scanner off and start
the driver I get a blue screen of death with the message
IRQL_not_less_or_Equal. I have tried running in safe mode and when I
run the SF driver with the scanner off I get an error that it could
not find the scanner. Since the scanner is turned off that is the
mesage I would expect. Getting a Blue screen is not. Has anyone had
this issue or know what may be causing the problem?

I got that, last week, with my new Matrox drivers (switched to an unsupported
mode, or something like that) . . . still haven't narrowed the cause.

Maybe this will help you:

http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread10747-1.html
--
ah

/\_/|
=0-0=
\'I'|
|<|,,\_
|[>,,/,\
|[|,\_,,)
((J(=__/

 

[Gary]

I got that, last week, with my new Matrox drivers (switched to an unsupported
mode, or something like that) . . . still haven't narrowed the cause.

Maybe this will help you:

http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread10747-1.html

Many thanks. I tried removing and reinstalling the silverfast driver,
no luck. But when I uninstalled the silverfast driver and installed
the earler version 6.4.1r3 the problem went away. My wife has almost
the same machine as mine and the latest driver works fine for her. I
did update the ATI video driver on my machine a week or so ago, but
that seems to be going fine. Guess I will just stay r3 for now.

Many thanks for the URL link. Never saw that site, got me to
thinking.

Gary

 

[CSM1]

I am using Win XP Pro, the latest version of lasersoft silverfast
driver silverfast SFE 6.4.1r4b for my epson 4870. When I have the
scanner on all works fine. But when I have the scanner off and start
the driver I get a blue screen of death with the message
IRQL_not_less_or_Equal. I have tried running in safe mode and when I
run the SF driver with the scanner off I get an error that it could
not find the scanner. Since the scanner is turned off that is the
mesage I would expect. Getting a Blue screen is not. Has anyone had
this issue or know what may be causing the problem?

Thanks

Gary

I have experienced your problem.

Disconnect the scanner. Do reconnect until the USB is fixed and all of the
scanner software is installed.

The IRQL_not_less_or_Equal (Blue Screen of death) error message is coming
from the USB 2.0 driver.
It is a hardware error, created by the IRQ not having a correct handler.

If you can not get the computer to run without getting the blue screen,
during reboot, go into BIOS Setup, (It may be press the Delete key during
post) and disable USB 2.0. There are several setup screens, USB 2 is
probably in the Peripherals (Warning, you can really screw up your computer
in the BIOS setup. Be careful.)

Go to Microsoft Update and update Windows to SP2. (Service Pack 2)

Hard Disk space required for SP2.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];837783

It is huge download, around 260 Megabytes. If you have dialup, you can also
have Microsoft send you a free CD of the upgrade. Takes about a week to get
the CD in the mail.

Then re-enable USB 2 in BIOS, Reboot, XP will find new hardware, LET it
install the new hardware, Click Next at every prompt.

The USB drivers will be upgraded and the error should go away. If you want
to check if the USB drivers were updated, In Device Manager, look at the
properties of the Enhanced USB controller. The drivers will have SP2 as part
of the driver(s) filename.

Also check that your CPU is not overheating, as that can cause the same
error.
If you are overclocking the CPU, DON'T. Overclocking and USB 2 do not get
along.

If you have a AMD processor, check that the processor is not running over
about 50 degrees Centigrade. AMD's will burn up at 90C and they get flakey
at around 60C. Normal is around 40-45C for a stable AMD CPU.

You should have a motherboard utility to check the Processor temperature.

You may have to remove then reinstall the scanner software also (all of the
scanner software).
You remove the Scanner USB (TWAIN) driver in Device Manager which only shows
when the scanner is connected and turned on.

Look for a Remove in the Start menu for the scanner software or in Control
Panel Add/Remove Programs. Remove the scanner software.

Reboot after removing software.

 

[ah]

Many thanks. I tried removing and reinstalling the silverfast driver,
no luck. But when I uninstalled the silverfast driver and installed
the earler version 6.4.1r3 the problem went away. My wife has almost
the same machine as mine and the latest driver works fine for her. I
did update the ATI video driver on my machine a week or so ago, but
that seems to be going fine. Guess I will just stay r3 for now.

Many thanks for the URL link. Never saw that site, got me to
thinking.

You're welcome . . . lots to think about there ;-)
--
ah

/\_/|
=0-0=
\'I'|
|<|,,\_
|[>,,/,\
|[|,\_,,)
((J(=__/

 

[Gary]

Thanks CSM1:

I already have SP2 and all the updates on my 2.8 GH P4 system running
on a Abit IC7-G MB. I built the system and can move around in the
BIOS. I also use MB monitor software to monitor temps and fan speeds.

When I install the drivers I did have the scanner turned off. The
scanner is connected to a powered USB switch that my wife and I use to
share the scanner. Perhaps disconnecting the USB connection would be
the next step. I also have a second USB hub on the system with a card
reader installed on it. I am guess you would suggect I remove that
also when I install the silverfast scanner drivers

What concerns me is that after installed both r4 and r3 (scanner off
but connected) work if the scanner is turned on. But if the scanner
is off when I start the software only the r4 version driver will crash
the system. The r3 driver works as expected.

Gary

 

[birdman]

SP2 can destroy the software for USB ports: this is a well known bug that
Microsoft even admits. The USB ports are also more vulnerable to problems
after SP2.
Their solution is easier than you think.
Under control panel delete your USB ports. It would also be a good idea to
uninstall the problematic software.
Rebooting will reinstall uncorrupted software for the USB ports. It is not
necessary to go into the BIOS at all (presuming the motherboard USB ports
are turned on to begin with).

 

[CSM1]

Thanks CSM1:

I already have SP2 and all the updates on my 2.8 GH P4 system running
on a Abit IC7-G MB. I built the system and can move around in the
BIOS. I also use MB monitor software to monitor temps and fan speeds.

Just in case there is glitch in the USB 2 drivers, In Device Manager, Remove
the Enhanced USB Controller, Reboot.

Don't worry about the hubs, they will go with the controller.

XP will then restore the USB 2 drivers from cache during startup.

When I install the drivers I did have the scanner turned off. The
scanner is connected to a powered USB switch that my wife and I use to
share the scanner. Perhaps disconnecting the USB connection would be
the next step. I also have a second USB hub on the system with a card
reader installed on it. I am guess you would suggect I remove that
also when I install the silverfast scanner drivers

Perhaps you should try connecting the scanner directly to the USB 2.0 port
on the computer, not thru a hub or switch.

USB is not a shared design. USB is one Master and many slaves. The Computer
is the Master. You cannot have two masters on one USB line.


Unless a scanner is designed for sharing (via a network), I do not think
sharing is a good idea. Windows XP is not the most stable system when it
comes to using scanners.

What concerns me is that after installed both r4 and r3 (scanner off
but connected) work if the scanner is turned on. But if the scanner
is off when I start the software only the r4 version driver will crash
the system. The r3 driver works as expected.

Do you have both versions installed at the same time?

You do not want any possibility of a software conflict, So only have one
version of the software for a particular scanner installed on the computer.
Watch out for registry conflicts.

It is possible that the software r4 version does have a bug or glitch.

If the USB interrupt does not have a handler (we are talking about
software/hardware interface) XP will throw a Blue screen (actually a Stop
error).

Unless XP tells you in the error screen what driver caused the blue screen,
all you can do is guess. In the case of USB problems, if you disable the USB
controller in BIOS, and the blue screen stops, then you can conclude the you
have a USB connected hardware problem.

Windows XP does some strange things, one of the strange things is the way XP
detects stuff on the USB bus. If the Device ID is the same all the time, XP
thinks the device is connected.

Gary

 

[Gary]

Thanks Birdman and CSM1

No I only have one driver installed at a time. The sharing hub is a
hub that can be USB or external powered. It is a manuel switch that
will allow a few ports to either be connected to one comput or another
at a time. That way if my wife wants to scan she can just switch the
scanner. Both computer beep, me for losing the scanner and hers for
finding the scanner.

I am wondering is the fact that the hub is connect all the time, can
it be detected when it is switch to the other computer? If so then
that may be the root of XP's confusion.

Thanks again, lots to try.

Gary

Thanks CSM1:

I already have SP2 and all the updates on my 2.8 GH P4 system running
on a Abit IC7-G MB. I built the system and can move around in the
BIOS. I also use MB monitor software to monitor temps and fan speeds.

Just in case there is glitch in the USB 2 drivers, In Device Manager, Remove
the Enhanced USB Controller, Reboot.

Don't worry about the hubs, they will go with the controller.

XP will then restore the USB 2 drivers from cache during startup.

When I install the drivers I did have the scanner turned off. The
scanner is connected to a powered USB switch that my wife and I use to
share the scanner. Perhaps disconnecting the USB connection would be
the next step. I also have a second USB hub on the system with a card
reader installed on it. I am guess you would suggect I remove that
also when I install the silverfast scanner drivers

Perhaps you should try connecting the scanner directly to the USB 2.0 port
on the computer, not thru a hub or switch.

USB is not a shared design. USB is one Master and many slaves. The Computer
is the Master. You cannot have two masters on one USB line.


Unless a scanner is designed for sharing (via a network), I do not think
sharing is a good idea. Windows XP is not the most stable system when it
comes to using scanners.

What concerns me is that after installed both r4 and r3 (scanner off
but connected) work if the scanner is turned on. But if the scanner
is off when I start the software only the r4 version driver will crash
the system. The r3 driver works as expected.

Do you have both versions installed at the same time?

You do not want any possibility of a software conflict, So only have one
version of the software for a particular scanner installed on the computer.
Watch out for registry conflicts.

It is possible that the software r4 version does have a bug or glitch.

If the USB interrupt does not have a handler (we are talking about
software/hardware interface) XP will throw a Blue screen (actually a Stop
error).

Unless XP tells you in the error screen what driver caused the blue screen,
all you can do is guess. In the case of USB problems, if you disable the USB
controller in BIOS, and the blue screen stops, then you can conclude the you
have a USB connected hardware problem.

Windows XP does some strange things, one of the strange things is the way XP
detects stuff on the USB bus. If the Device ID is the same all the time, XP
thinks the device is connected.

 

[CSM1]

Since USB is a hot swap protocol, It would be better to simply unplug the
scanner USB cable at the scanner and plug in the cable from the other
computer.

In other words have a cable from each computer and swap USB cable at the
scanner. Have separate software installed on each computer.

That way the two computers are not connected in any way via USB. You never
want two computers connected via USB. Two Master Controllers is very bad.

Hubs and Switches for USB are meant to connect many peripherals to a single
computer.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

Thanks Birdman and CSM1

No I only have one driver installed at a time. The sharing hub is a
hub that can be USB or external powered. It is a manuel switch that
will allow a few ports to either be connected to one comput or another
at a time. That way if my wife wants to scan she can just switch the
scanner. Both computer beep, me for losing the scanner and hers for
finding the scanner.

I am wondering is the fact that the hub is connect all the time, can
it be detected when it is switch to the other computer? If so then
that may be the root of XP's confusion.

Very likely.

Thanks again, lots to try.

Gary

 

[Hecate]

When I install the drivers I did have the scanner turned off. The
scanner is connected to a powered USB switch that my wife and I use to
share the scanner. Perhaps disconnecting the USB connection would be
the next step. I also have a second USB hub on the system with a card
reader installed on it. I am guess you would suggect I remove that
also when I install the silverfast scanner drivers

If you read the scanner makers notes you will see that they tell you
specifically to *not use a hub*, as do all scanner manufacturers. I
have no doubt that that is where your problem lies.

--

Hecate - The Real One
(e-mail address removed)
Fashion: Buying things you don't need, with money
you don't have, to impress people you don't like...

 

[Gary]

Hi CSM1:

Yes something to try with the cables.

The two computers are not connected to each other. Think of a normal
hub with 4 connections going out. Now for the connection to the
computer there are two rather that one conectors, one for each of the
two computers. But there is a switch. Only one computer can be
connected to the hub devices at a time. When I switch between
computers both computers make the connect, disconnect sound. One
connects and the other disconnects. Seems to work nicely. But since
XP with USB still seems to be part magic at my level the cable trick
is worth trying, but I don't think it is the issue. For now I am
using the previous version and all seems well.

Many thanks for taking the time to give me a better insite in the
magic of Bill Gates USB.

Gary

 

[Gary]

Hi Hecate:

Yes you could be right it that it could be messing uo a look up charts
for ports. When the scanner is on and switched to my computer all
works fine. It is only when it can not find the scanner the OS give a
blue screen. The older version of the silverfast and the epson
drivers do not cause the blue screen, but give the proper error
message. Perhaps I should have used a simple usb switch without a hub
to it. I had forgotten about the hub issue. The scanner as installed
is a little hard to get to the back connction port so I am reluctant
to use a cable swap everytime I or my wife use the scanner.

I need to try a few of the suggested tests, but I am begining to think
it may be an issue with the new silverfast driver. But still some of
the other suggestions may help the new driver along so it works.

Many thanks for taking the tme to give your comments, perhaps for long
term operation I should just switch to a simple USB switch.

Gary

 

[Hecate]

Hi Hecate:

Yes you could be right it that it could be messing uo a look up charts
for ports. When the scanner is on and switched to my computer all
works fine. It is only when it can not find the scanner the OS give a
blue screen. The older version of the silverfast and the epson
drivers do not cause the blue screen, but give the proper error
message. Perhaps I should have used a simple usb switch without a hub
to it. I had forgotten about the hub issue. The scanner as installed
is a little hard to get to the back connction port so I am reluctant
to use a cable swap everytime I or my wife use the scanner.

I need to try a few of the suggested tests, but I am begining to think
it may be an issue with the new silverfast driver. But still some of
the other suggestions may help the new driver along so it works.

Many thanks for taking the tme to give your comments, perhaps for long
term operation I should just switch to a simple USB switch.

That would be safer. The actual problem is due to the inability of the
driver to cope with being in contact with more than one computer.

--

Hecate - The Real One
(e-mail address removed)
Fashion: Buying things you don't need, with money
you don't have, to impress people you don't like...

 

[Bart van der Wolf]

SNIP

If you read the scanner makers notes you will see that they
tell you specifically to *not use a hub*, as do all scanner
manufacturers. I have no doubt that that is where your
problem lies.

That usually refers to non-powered hubs. I have never had any problems
with a hub that has its own power supply.

Bart

 

[Gary]

Thanks Bart:

The switch does gets power from the usb lines when the scanner is off,
but when we turn on the scanner it also powers the switch controled
Hub.

Gary