XP assigning scanners as an "Unknown"

[Opusita]

Hello,

I recently purchased (5/24/03) a Pentium 2.53 Ghz computer with 1 Gb RAM
running Windows XP Service Pack 1 and all appeared to be working well.

About 2 weeks ago I purchased a HP Scanjet 3670 USB scanner and it would not
function with my computer. I worked for hours over a week with a responsive
HP tech support by phone and email but they were not able solve the problem.
I went through dozens of installs/reinstalls, disconnects/connects,
plugs/unplugs, confirming the functionality of the USB ports, registry
cleans, etc....all to no avail. I even exchanged scanners with the retail
store.

Yesterday I returned the 2nd HP scanner and decided to try a different
scanner manufacturer. This time I bought an Epson Perfection 1670. I
downloaded and installed the latest patches and then after going through
what by all indications was a successful install my computer again will not
work with the scanner.

Basically what happens is that everything appears to install correctly and
Windows recognizes the new hardware but the "Device Manager" assigns it as
an "Unknown" device. Then, apparently the scanner software will not access
an "Unknown" device.

HP suggested that it may be the MSI mainboard and SiS 7100 USB controllers
on my computer. One of the suggestions was that I may have to upgrade the
drivers for the SiS 7100 PCI to USB open host controllers so I dutifully
went to the SiS web pages and was advised to go to the mainboard
manufacturer for updated drivers.....so I then went to the MSI site where it
advised that for Windows XP the drivers are available from
Microsoft...........Microsoft indicates that my drivers are the most
current.

HP even sent me a powered USB hub and that did not solve anything.

I will be contacting Epson tech support but now it does not seem feasible
that 3 different scanners would be at fault since Windows does recognize the
devices. Apparently the problem is that Windows recognizes the hardware but
assigns it as an "Unknown". So I'm again turning to the great minds on this
board for comments and suggestions.

Thanks,

Marian

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

You install the drivers before ever connecting the scanner. Install the
drivers, reboot, and then connect the scanner. It sounds as if you had the
scanner(s) connected first and then tried installing the software.

Bobby

 

[Opusita]

Hello,

Kelly, thank you for your suggestions but.........no success.

I contacted tech support of the computer manufacturer and he insisted that I
test

the USB ports with another kind of USB device.....so I went and bought a $10

mouse just for that purpose. Plugged it in and the XP found it and Device

Manager located it as as "Human Input Device" not the dreaded "Unknown" and

more importantly it worked.

So back to tech support and he suggested that since the USB is working and
XP

recognized the mouse correctly there is probably an incorrect or corrupted
entry in

the registry that hasn't been cleaned out. He suggested that I back up my
hard

drive to CD's and restore the hard drive to factory settings and reinstall
XP

...........arrg. I not rushing to burn 20 Gbs of cd's.

Before I jump into the reinstall hell is there anyway finding those

entries which may be causing the problem or creating a work around? or any
other suggestions which might

solve the problem.


Thanks,

Marian