Using a UMAX Astra with a G4 Mac

[Eric P.]

Hello,

Here's a recent experience I wanted to share, in case the information
is of value to anyone with a similar setup to mine.

Computer: single-processor G4 AGP graphics ("Sawtooth"), 1.5GHz
processor, 1.37GB RAM, Mac OS 9.2.2.

Scanner: UMAX Astra 2100U, a USB scanner

Related software: UMAX VistaScan 3.5.4 and OmniPage Limited
Edition 5.1

I had the scanner's USB cable plugged into a little four-socket
hub, and that into one of the two USB ports on the computer.
The scanner and related software worked just fine with this
configuration, until after my latest round of routine system
maintenance (using DiskWarrior, PlusOptimizer, and TechTool
Pro, and File Buddy). Then, when I launched either of the
above-listed apps, the scanner couldn't be found. So, I swapped
the keyboard's USB cable, which was plugged into the other US
port, with the scanner's cable, so that now the keyboard is
connected via the hub and the scanner is plugged into the
computer. Now everything works just fine again.

I don't know exactly what happened, but it makes sense to me
that the system would work better with a direct connection
between the scanner and the computer. The little USB hub
doesn't have its own power supply, so that might make a
difference.

Any thoughts?

Happy scanning,
Eric

 

[Eric P.]

Hello,

Here's a recent experience I wanted to share, in case the information
is of value to anyone with a similar setup to mine.

Computer: single-processor G4 AGP graphics ("Sawtooth"), 1.5GHz
processor, 1.37GB RAM, Mac OS 9.2.2.

Scanner: UMAX Astra 2100U, a USB scanner

Related software: UMAX VistaScan 3.5.4 and OmniPage Limited
Edition 5.1

I had the scanner's USB cable plugged into a little four-socket
hub, and that into one of the two USB ports on the computer.
The scanner and related software worked just fine with this
configuration, until after my latest round of routine system
maintenance (using DiskWarrior, PlusOptimizer, and TechTool
Pro, and File Buddy). Then, when I launched either of the
above-listed apps, the scanner couldn't be found. So, I swapped
the keyboard's USB cable, which was plugged into the other US
port, with the scanner's cable, so that now the keyboard is
connected via the hub and the scanner is plugged into the
computer. Now everything works just fine again.

I don't know exactly what happened, but it makes sense to me
that the system would work better with a direct connection
between the scanner and the computer. The little USB hub
doesn't have its own power supply, so that might make a
difference.

Any thoughts?

Happy scanning,
Eric

Following myself up here: when the keyboard isn't plugged directly
into the computer, I can't use the keyboard's power button, nor
can I wake the computer from sleep. This means that I (and anyone
else with this kind of hw setup) have to swap USB devices whenever
using the scanner. A minor annoyance, really.

- E