New Epson Scanner Install Problem

I bought a new Epson 3490 scanner for myself for Xmas and for some reason it won't install right, I been on the phone with Epson technical support (2nd level) for a couple hours but he finally gave up saying there was nothing else he could do. He thinks there may be some sort of conflict with the Epson driver and my computer and the only thing he left me with was try to create a new user account and see if that works. My wife and I both have a user account and lo and behold when I switch over to her account the scanner works, but not on mine. I'm using XP Pro with SP2 but let me start at the beginning to explain how the install went.

I disabled my firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc. and followed directions to the tee and after installing (under my account) it worked the first time I tried to use it. I closed out of Epson Scan to just see how things worked and immediately tried to start a scan again but now it won't open. When you push the scan button on the scanner or double click on the Epson Scan icon you can see the hourglass working and Epson Scan flashes also on the taskbar for just a split second but it refuses to open the software. And for some reason Epson Scan or any other of the software downloaded from the Epson install disc never showed up in "Programs ", there was nothing relating to Epson.

The Epson Tech had me doing all sorts of things, we uninstalled Epson Scan (the drivers) from the Device Manager and from Add/Remove and reinstalled newer driver from Epsons website but same thing. He also had me check the Epson folders in the registry and had me delete some files after running a search without success. I have a dual boot computer with the C Drive running Windows 98 and D Drive running XP Pro so he thought maybe this was a conflict even though neither my wife or I use the C drive. He also suggested that since I also have an HP scanner this was causing a conflict so he had me move the HP folder from the Twain_32 folder and drag it to my desktop. He said using two scanner can cause conflicts and that HP seemed to always try to the dominant when it is installed. I really don't want to use the HP because I really don't like it so that was not a be deal but removing the folder did not change things, so thats when Epson tech gave up. He also had me uncheck everything in "Startup" in MsConfig to try to see if there were any conflicts, but nothing changed the software still won't start.

After I hung up with him is when I just for a lark switched over to my wife's User Account and the scanner works perfectly, also all the Epson software that was downloaded shows up in her "Programs" although it never showed up in mine. Now is this strange or what?

Since the scanner won't work using my User Account my only option is to take back the scanner (and maybe try a Canon) but can anyone figure out a way for it to work on my account before I do this? I didn't call back Epson Tech after I found out it worked under my wife's account because I didn't get the impression he would have any other suggestions if I found out it worked under another user account. Can somone help? Thanks!

 

Try removing the HP scanner software completely then installing the Epson using the admin account. Set it up for all users.

 

Sorry I haven't responded my computer has been down. I have also discovered since I installed the Epson scanner my HP (printer, scanner, copier) has quit working and I really use the printer portion. So I have no choice now to but uninstall my HP. Whiskeyman what do you mean by installing the Epson again using the Administrator account and setting it up for all users? My wife and my accounts are both listed as computer Administrators. How do you set it up for all users, I never understood how this whole administrator account thing worked? Everytime I install new software under my account it seems like it's also always installed under my wife's account, this why I was surprised the Epson worked under her account but not mine.

What do you think the chances are of both the HP and Epson existing together because if I thought they wouldn't or couldn't I won't spend anymore time trying to get this to work. I have to have the HP printer and it's not life and death if the Epson won't work, but nice if it did.

 

Okay I finally figured out that there was a huge conflict between the Epson scanner and the HP printer, scanner, copier, I spent an hour trying to reinstall the HP but it wouldn't until I uninstalled the Epson that it would install right. The Epson tech told me Epson software sometimes does not like to be installed along side certain other brands or models so I guess he was right. So now the Epson goes back.

My new question is would a Canon scanner have a better chance working along side of my HP or do you do my whole ordeal is because I'm trying to run two scanners?

 

I think they tend to use different versions of common files

Create a different user for one or the other?

A HP scanner would probably be compatible, although it sounds like you are avoiding them .

Matt

 

Well it seems like (after much experimentation) you are not supposed to use two different scanners on your computer and for sure not two different brands. I have always used two printers (different brands) and never had a problem so I just assumed scanners were no different, I guess I was wrong. I made a huge mistake getting the All-in-one HP because while the printer is fine as second printer you are also stuck with the scanner. I had a Canon scanner (very old) that the HP was supposed to replace but when I discovered I didn't care much for the HP scanner I decided to use my Canon again but to my surprise it didn't always work. I could never figure it out so I tossed it but looking back now I see it also must have had a conflict with the HP. So I guess I've answered my own question about whether trying a Canon scanner would work, maybe but probably not.

 

I wondered if the HP scanner could be disabled to allow the Epson (or Canon) to work. I am not much the wiser after some searching, but check if there are any options in Device Manager and I think you would need to reinstall the Epson drivers/software after it was disabled. EDIT: Look up "hardware profiles" in Help and Support.

Linux and Unix are now using SANE as opposed to TWAIN to run scanners now. You can install SANE on Windows using SaneTwain as the "frontend" and an Epson compatible "backend ". The thing I could not see was if SaneTwain works for Win XP.
sane
sanetwain
snapscan
Interesting anyway.

Matt

 

Thanks Matt for taking the time to look this stuff up but I think this is over my technical knowledge. I'll just take back the Epson, wait for my HP to wear out and then buy a separate printer and scanner like I should have in the first place.