Software cannot find scanner on COMx

[bwlegan]

I have been using an old computer, running under Win2K, as my fax and file backup machine. It handled a Visioneer Vx sheet-fed scanner on COM1, using Scansoft's Paperport 4.0.

Recently, I upgraded (changed) my main machine, which I then moved to become my fax machine - also under Win2K. I installed Paperport, but it cannot see the scanner on either COM1 or COM2. I have gone through the cycle of uninstalling and reinstalling, several times, to no effect.

Before moving it to become my fax machine, both COM ports were being used for: synchronising my PDA, and monitoring my UPS, respectively, with no problems.

I am guessing that there is a difference in the way Win2K has been set up.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[BipolarBill]

Why do I hesitate to get involved in this? Why are you using that ancient serial scanner?

Are both Com/Serial ports enabled in BIOS? I ask because a modem or serial mouse can will create a Com port and take over Com one even if you only have one port enabled.

[bwlegan]

I felt sure I could rely on you Bipolar. Sorry for the delay in responding, but the opportunity of work for a client, came up.

The reason for the Visioneer, is that (i) it's cute - footprint 2.5" x 12.5", and 3.5" high (ii) its always 'on' - just insert leading edge, and document is scanned. (iii) hence it's ideal for fax. (iv) it was a gift, and happens to have the serial interface. (v) in Manila, I cannot find any sheet-fed scanners. And, in a country where English is their good second language, you can imagine the looks I get when asking if they have a "sheet-fed scanner".

I do not completely understand what you mean by "Are both Com/Serial ports enabled in BIOS?" According to the CMOS, they are enabled, and the 'System Device Manager' claims that both "devices are working properly". I have not yet tried disabling and reinstalling them yet. The modem has set itself up on COM5, The mouse is PS/2.

Apart from testing them by trying a cable connection between the two computers, I don't know how I can 'check them out'.

[BipolarBill]

Try disabling the 2nd Com port in BIOS. That should force the top serial port to take Com 1. Work on that top serial port alone until it works - then re-enable #2.

Are you sure that this scanner is Win2k-compatible? It's mighty old (1996).

[bwlegan]

Again, apologies to you Bipolar, for the delay in replying. This time, I had a major medical exam. I don't know if the much maligned priests and accountants know about what the doctors get up to behind their walls, on these occasions, but in most countries I am sure it would be considered illegal, even between consenting adults.

I tried to test the com ports by using a serial cable connection. Couldn't get it too work with Win2K - what's new - so tried my usual utility for this, 'FASTLYNX', but that wanted me to use DOS, and I'm using NTFS.

Eventually installed the synchronisation software for my PDA. Then connected the docking unit to COM1 and tried it, and it worked OK. So Windows can find it.

Sorry, before all that, I disabled COM2. Now, according to the Device Manager, I only have COM1 present.

The application software, still cannot find the scanner.

Concerning 'overall compatibility', all I can say is that it was working on an older processor (Cyrix) running Win2K.

I am wondering about the 'Port Settings' for the COM1. In particular the speed (bits per second) and the advanced sttings. Certainly, with the PDA, bthe the PDA and the COM1 speed settings must be the same. I do not know what spedd the scanner works at.

[BipolarBill]

I'm sure that it's set for high-speed serial operation. The scanner should respond. Do you have drivers for the scanner that work in Win2K? Is the scanner plug and play? If the scanner is not plug and play (very possible at that age), you may have to either use the Add/Remove Hardware app or install the drivers manually.

If the scanner used "real mode" drivers to work, you're out of luck. Win2K doesn't do real mode. :(

[bwlegan]

Well, I was going to take the dogs for a walk but its pouring with rain, so I will recount now, what has recently arisen.

I uninstalled and physically removed my internal modem. In doing so I found my old ISA/SCSI card. This was used by my UMAX flat-bed scanner, when this was my #1 machine. I have a new PCI/SCSI card for that purpose in my new #1 machine. So I removed the old card together with the modem.

Reinstalled the PaperPort software, and reboot There is a difference. Under normal conditions, the scanner is 'hot'. That is, I just insert leading edge of paper, and the whole page is pulled in and scanned to the screen. So this is set up when booting the machine. Until now, when I boot the machine, I have been getting a message saying the scanner could not be found. Now, no message! But the scanner is 'dead'.

So I call up the program via the desktop icon, and click on the SCAN command.

I get interesting message - which I don't fully understand, but that is not the point:

"Can not file the localization file C:\WINNT\vista30.loc.
Please reinstall VistaScan."

Vista Scan is the package which drives my UMAX scanner. In theory, it has all been uninstalled. However, there are traces in the Registry.

Somehow, it seems to me, these traces are interfering with the paperport drivers. It seems my options are, in no specific order:

Clean out the Registry??
A clean install of Win2K.
Reinstall VistaScan - as requested.
Get alternative solutions from you guys.

The idea of playing with the Registry, terrifies me. Probably the overall quickest solution is the clean install of Win2K.

What do you think?

[BipolarBill]

I agree. Backup your data.

[bwlegan]

Well, I'm afraid still no luck.

I first tried installing VistaScan, but couldn't since it's looking for a SCSI card. Then tried tidying up the Registry, but then could not Boot. So, finally clean install of Win2K. Then update to SP3. Re-install PaperPort - still cannot find the scanner.

Go back to my oldest machine. PaperPort is still installed there. So, steal my son's monitor and keyboard, attach scanner. Boot up, and the scanner is detected, and works perfectly, first time!!

The only apparent difference between the two systems - apart from CPU, MoBo etc - is that the system where the scanner is detected, is under basic Win2K, while the other computer is now under SP3 (previously SP2)

So, my next thought is to:
(i) NTBackup the C: drive to the D: drive, including 'system settings'.
(ii) clean install of Win2K Basic (no SPs).
(III) Reinstall PaperPort,
(iv) test.

If it still does not work, recover from backup. If it does work, think about what I really need.

Any further ideas?

Well, now I'd better take the dogs out for their walk. Good night!