VistaScan can't find scanner!

I have the UMAX Astra 6400 scanner which is FireWire. I installed it per the instructions and everything worked fine the first day. However, today when I started VistaAccess, it couldn't locate the scanner (icon with a big NO sign over it in the tray). I tried doing the Scanner Test and it said it couldn't find it. I tried Find/Refresh Scanner to no avail. The thing is, the scanner is connected to the computer and is plugged in. It doesn't have its own on/off switch.

I tried reinstalling the software, to no avail. Here's the kick, if I access the scanners applet in Control Panel, it detects the scanner successfully. So how come Windows can find the scanner, but it's own crappy software can't? The scanner is listed working properly under my Hardware Manager. I also downloaded the latest software for it from UMAX.com, but it's just a DOS program that extracted a bunch of stuff. It didn't help any either.

The only changes I've made to my computer since installing the scanner was I updated my antivirus program, changed my DirectX to 8.1 and installed my video card's new drivers. I doubt those would have any effect.

Plz help cause I'm ready to throw the scanner out the window cause it worked fine on the first day!

 

This is kind of desperate but I thought I'd try. I have a UMAX SCSI scanner and to make it work I turn on the power strip which powers up the scanner. I then have to wait 20 seconds for the scanner to initialize. I then power up the PC. If I don't wait for the scanner to initialize, Windows will never see the scanner.

Even though your situation doesn't sound like mine, I'm wondering if you can try something similar. A Firewire scanner sounds cool - must be dam fast, right? That is when you can get it to work.

 

It works fine now. I called their tech support cause I was mad (to put it nicely). The guy said this stuff can happen if you install other new software. Between the time I installed the scanner and today, I had installed DirectX 8.1, new vid card drivers and updated my antivirus program. He had me completely uninstall it (including messing with the Registry, YIKES!), then reinstall the software and hook it up again. I HATE COMPUTERS!!!

 

Update

Looks like this problem is going to occur every time I shutdown/restart my computer. I turned my computer on today and it wouldn't load my desktop all the way, so I did Ctrl+Alt+Del and got rid of the program StillImageMonitor, which UMAX thoughtfully installs in startup along with its VistaScan. After that, the desktop loaded, but once again VistaScan can't find the scanner!

Does anyone who has a UMAX scanner know if StillImageMonitor is necessary for VistaScan to be able to locate the scanner? It wasn't necessary with my old 1220 P.

Of course if this is the case, then I'm going to have to call UMAX and demand a new CD because StillImageMonitor stalls my bootup until it's disabled, and if I have to choose between having the scanner and being able to use my machine, guess which I'll choose.

 

I never knew where the heck STIMON ever came from. I would try going into Sys Config and unchecking the box that causes it to start with Win98. I can't remember the whole sequence. It's something like Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Info or System Config., System Info or Config, Startup Tab, and uncheck STIMON or whatever it's called and OK,OK,etc., reboot.

I use Win98SE with a Umax 1220S (SCSI) and I've got STIMON running in the background. But I don't know if its the same STIMON that you've got loading. UMAX tech support needs to straighten this one out for you!

 

Yes it is. I don't know about SCSI, but firewire scanners must have it running or VistaAccess can't find it. So it's no big deal; I made a shortcut to it on my desktop and will click it first before running the scanner. I HATE COMPUTERS!!!