Scanner problem

[Tefler]

We have a Canon flatbed scanner N67OU, connected via USB directly to the computer (ie not through a hub). Frequently when we try to use it, it registers 94% and then stops working. This is really frustrating. Is there anything to do to improve the situation?

[elevenses]

Very frustrating! Scans sometimes take up a great deal of memory and if your hard drive is pretty full the extra bit the scanner is trying to save is too much and the computer will not finish the job. check to see you've enough memory on your hard drive.

Perhaps there are newer drivers for your scanner which may well help to iron out the gremlin that's obviously there. Try the canon website.

Another possibility is to uninstall the scanner's driver and reinstall it from your original CD that came with the scanner.

Hope this puts you on the right track to success!

[Tefler]

Thanks for the ideas, elevenses. However, we've still got more than 75% of a reasonably large hard drive free, so I don't think that could be it. I tried downloading a newer driver, but the whole thing came to a grinding halt, so I had to remove the lot and reinstall the original from the CD, as you suggested. There has been no improvement.
Any further ideas, short of replacing the dratted thing?

[elevenses]

I'm baffled! Realy sorry. I had a similar problem with a canon LIDE that kept crashing the machine - the only way to get it going again was a complete reinstall of the original drivers. But obvioulsy that's not working ion your case. Is it a particular program that casues the hang up or when you use the scanner any time? How old is your computer and what OS are you running? Any other info might help.

[Tefler]

The computer's about three years old. It's got an Pentium 4 processor, it runs Windows XP and there's 132 Gb of free space on the hard drive. We never ask the machine to scan at the same time as doing anything else. I'm totally foxed by this one.

[elevenses]

It may be that some component is faulty, such as graphic card, or even the power supply, so that when the scan takes place the overload is too much and the scanner packs up. I must admit I'm baffled as well, especially as the latest drivers are on board and you don't run other software whilst scanning.
I'm really sorry I can't help any further. Perhaps either a trip to your local computer shop to get your hardware checked or get in touch with Canon and wee if they have any ideas. Seems a shame to have to ditch an otherwise perfectly good scanner!
Having said that, scanners do pack up from time to time and it may be that you have to bite the bullet and get another one. The Canon LIDE scanners are relatively cheap for what htey can do.
Really sorry I can't help any further.
good luck

[elevenses]

I didn't mean 'wee' I meant see - sorry!

[Tefler]

It's a good job you cleared that up, Elevenses: I thought you meant that I'd be really excited if they could help!

I'm currently experimenting with added Ram. Results are looking good at present, so we'll see. In addition, I'm thinking of ditching Norton, which seems very power hungry and often runs without me knowing it.

Thanks for your ideas and time.

[elevenses]

No problem - hope the extra RAM works. It should do. Yes, Norton is fairly power hungry especially when it decides to scan and then everything slows down.
I'm sure there are better and less power-hungry anti virus/firewall progs out there and there have been a number of threads on this website about them.
good luck.