HP Scanjet 3500c problems (Windows XP, ASUS mobo)

I'm just wondering whether anyone is having similar problems or has
resolved similar problems with one of the Scanjet scanners. Ever since
installing the scanner on my computer I've been having various types of
communication problems. After all the debugging and talking with HP
support I believe it is probably a hardware or software conflict issue.


SYSTEM INFO --------------------
Motherboard: ASUS P4B266
Memory: 768MB DDR
USB: NEC Controller
2 ports USB 1.1 + 4 ports USB 2.0
OS: Windows XP
USB devices: Wacom Graphire & Palm Pilot (both work fine)


ERROR MESSAGES -----------------
The most frequent error is:
"An error occurred communicating with the scanning device.
Please ensure that the scanning device is connected
properly and try again."

I get this error when trying to scan with HP Director.

When I use the the XP Scanner and Camera Wizard I get:
"An error occurred while setting scanner preferences. If
the scanner is being used, please wait for it complete
the task, and then try again."


THE FUNNY THING ----------------
The scanner works fine if started certain ways. What works most often is
pressing the Scan button on the front of the scanner then selecting
Photoshop from the list of apps. Also scanning directly from Photoshop
(ver 5.0, TWAIN_32) often works. I can not remember the error message I
get when it doesn't.


DEBUGGING ATTEMPTS -------------
- Followed instructions at (wrapped link)
http://h20015.www2.hp.com/en/document.jhtml;
jsessionid=NL5YL4GV3MYIVQEXGR3UNZQ?reg=na&cc=us&
docName=bps03850&lc=en&
(incl. connection checking, complete driver reinstall)
- Installed newest drivers (2.0) from web site
- Tried scanner on different system, and it worked without problems
- Uninstalled/Reinstalled drivers with Antivirus disabled (suggested by
HP phone support)


CONCLUSIONS -------------------
I'm about to give up. I might try installing XP on a separate partition
and see if it works there -> software conflict?

If anyone has advice or has run into the same problem, let me know.
Remove S P A M from the e-mail address.

Thanks in advance everyone,

Nathan

I just installed Windows XP on a new partition today to see whether I
would get the same problems with a fresh install. Everything worked
fine. So the problem is not a hardware compatibility issue. Of course I
still want to work under the old XP install because I don't want to have
to reinstall all my software...

One thing that was different about the fresh XP install is that one USB
Controller was not functioning properly (according to XP). All USB
devices were working though (mouse & palmpilot).

Any hints would be greatly appreciated...

Nathan

Exact same problem here on a WIN 2003 Server install. But it did used to
work! Did you get to the bottom of the problem?
Roger

"Nathan Funk" <> wrote in message
news:GUKUa.561713$. ca...
> I just installed Windows XP on a new partition today to see whether I
> would get the same problems with a fresh install. Everything worked
> fine. So the problem is not a hardware compatibility issue. Of course I
> still want to work under the old XP install because I don't want to have
> to reinstall all my software...
>
> One thing that was different about the fresh XP install is that one USB
> Controller was not functioning properly (according to XP). All USB
> devices were working though (mouse & palmpilot).
>
> Any hints would be greatly appreciated...
>
> Nathan
>