Two Epsons...one problem

[Southbay]

Hi,
I'm new to SilverFast, so bear with me as this might be quite simple to someone who knows what they're doing.

I'm on a Mac Pro (OS 10.5.6) and have an Epson 4990 and recently acquired an Epson 10000XL. I'd like to be able to have them both running and to be able to select one or the other. The scanning software i'd been using was not able to do this, so SF with it's Launcher seemed like a good choice.

I upgraded the 4990's bundled SE version to the latest Ai 6.6.0r4c. The 10000XL came bundled with 6.4.4r7a.

Here's my problem: When I install the two versions for their respective scanners, I end up with both the SF Launcher and the SF Universal Launcher. SF launcher sees both scanners but only accepts the serialization for one of them. SF Universal launcher sees only version 6.6.0 (the 4990's version) yet opens the 10000XL, and then won't accept either serial number.

It's a mess! And I've spent a couple of long evenings trying to work it out. It doesn't seem to matter which version I install first. I've completely uninstalled everything a couple of times and reinstalled...without success.
Everything always appears to end up where it should. I've been though the online help from front to back...what am I doing wrong?

Do both LS versions need to be identical? Can I not have both Epsons on at the same time?

I've also got two Nikons (5000, 9000) that I'd eventually like to add to the mix, but if this is going to be a problem down the road, I should probably find out now as well.

I thought accessing multiple units was the idea behind the Universal Launcher. Please tell me there's something obvious that this old newb is doing wrong.

Much appreciated,

SB

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Southbay,

There are many issues that have to be explained separately.

SilverFast will be compatible with Leopard from version 6.5 onwards. It means that your version 6.4 for your Epson 10000XL will not work under Leopard.

Every serial number is scanner model specific, it means that the serial number for your Epson Perfection 4990 can not be accepted to activate the Epson 10000XL. Since SilverFast has detected the 10000XL first your serial number for the other scanner has not been accepted.

You can and should operate just one imaging device at the same time, as you have experienced, SilverFast has detected one of the devices for which you do not have the serial number (as mentioned in the previous paragraph).

In this case you have to get an upgrade for your scanner Epson Expression 10000XL on our online shop. Using the actual serial number makes you eligible for a discount, please check our online store for further details at:

http://www.silverfast.com/show/store/en.html

After installing the version of SilverFast 6.6 for your Epson Perfection 10000XL you can then restart your computer with just one device connected to it, then start SilverFast and use the respective serial number to activate the product for the scanner. You can then close SilverFast and disconnect the scanner, then connect the other scanner and start SilverFast again (if you have troubles with the serialization of the second device you should restart your computer so the right driver gets detected by SilverFast).

You should try the demo version of SilverFast for your Nikon scanners with the same precautions as explained here. In the past this two brands under Mac OS X presented incompatibility problems so please do not install any driver from Nikon but just the demo version of SilverFast.

The demo version can be found at:

http://www.silverfast.com/get_demo/en.html

[Southbay]

[quote="LSI_Morales"You can and should operate just one imaging device at the same time[/quote]

Thanks for your quick and very helpful response. I'll upgrade SF for the 10000XL.

I would only operate one scanner at a time, but would like to be able to turn them both on, start SF Launcher and then be able to choose between my two scanners throughout the day's projects using the Launcher. I'm assuming this is entirely possible, or please let me know otherwise.

SB

[Southbay]

Hello again,

I'd sent a reply a couple of days ago but don't see it posted, so I suspect I've sent it off into the ethers.

First, thanks for your timely response. I'll upgrade the 10000xl sw to the 6.6 version. From your answer, however, there's still something I'm foggy about...so here's what I'd like to be able to do, and please tell me if this is possible.

I'd like to be able to turn on both my 4990 and the 10000XL at the beginning of a work session, fire up SF Launcher, and then be able to alternate between scanners. I'd use one scanner for a few things and when it's done, select the other scanner to work on something else. I don't want to be turning scanners on and off or unplugging devices, etc. The scanners would never run concurrently, I'd simply like to be able to switch back and forth from my desktop.

Possible?

Much appreciated
SB

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Southbay,

It can indeed pose a problem for SilverFast because it usually will recognize one of both scanners first and will have that device as the default device when starting. Exactly here begin the confussion because you will have two different versions of SilverFast, if the program recognizes first the 4990 and you start the module for your 10000 XL then you will likely have a message that the scanner was not found or the serial number does not correspond to the scanner model.

It is indeed a "must" to turn your scanners on and off and eventually connect or disconnect your devices accordingly.

[Southbay]

Alejandro,

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. At this point, I've decided to use SilverFast for the 4990 and EpsonScan for the 10000XL. That way, I can have both machines running and can switch back and forth without worrying about turning scanners on and off, and in what order, etc.

v**s**n allowed me to go back and forth freely, but IMO provided average print scan processing. so I'm relatively happy with my current work-around solution.

SB

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Southbay,

Bear in mind that even if you are not using two versions of SilverFast but having the two Epson scanners connected can produce similar problems, lets say you start your computer then you turn your 10000 XL and then the 4990, you then start to work with the 10000xl and after finishing you switch to SilverFast, it might be possible that SilverFast finds your 10000 XL instead of the 4990 and reports a wrong serial number.

In this case you will have to switch your computer off, retire the 10000 XL and then switch on and back to SilverFast with your 4990.

Have a nice day

[JeffreyK]

If it helps to prioritize future features: this is really annoying.

I have an Epson scanner that I use SF with, but it sometimes recongnizes my cheap multifunction epson printer/scanner/copier and fails to boot correctly.

It would be great to have a way to pick/set a default/mark a scanner to be ignored...

Thanks
-JeffreyK

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Jef

Thanks for your suggestion, this problem however does not have to be solved by SilverFast but directly by the operating system manufacturers (especially Microsoft), beacause the problem roots lie within the operating system.

Cheers

[JeffreyK]

Why is this an OS issue and what would you expect them to change?

It is clearly acceptable to have more than one scanner connected to my computer and I'm not sure how the OS would help you decide which one your software is intended to be connected to...

I'd go so far as to say you are losing customers due to this problem: if I hadn't stumbled onto this thread, I was probably going to give up and use either Epson Scan or v**s**n and the original poster of this thread sounds like they decided not to buy another serial number for their second scanner due to this.

In fact, a few minutes of searching the web found this: http://bytes.com/groups/net-c/230820-read-device-manager-programatically which looks like at least the start of a solution for windows that, at a minimum, provides information to your user that this might even be a problem. Whether or not you can actually provide a chooser is different issue - just warning the user that this is a problem is a start...

Thanks
-JeffreyK

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Jeffrey

Interesting opinion, however the fact is that windows has problems managing more than one imaging device at the same time, I believe the explanation has to be given by the manufacturer and not by us.

As you can see by the very same link you have post, it is up to every user the decision on which USB port should or not be activated. In the theory you can have as many devices connected as you wish, however you have to go to the device manager every time and make sure the one you want to use is listed as the first device, it can be achieved by turning off the other devices while working with the intended machine.

Thanks for your contribution.

[Southbay]

I'd go so far as to say you are losing customers due to this problem: if I hadn't stumbled onto this thread, I was probably going to give up and use either Epson Scan or v**s**n and the original poster of this thread sounds like they decided not to buy another serial number for their second scanner due to this.

Yep. Passed on getting another SF serial number for my other machines. I find SF's "kick it down the road" response to this issue a disappointment. With VS, I can have all four of my machines fired up at any time, and select between them. No disconnecting. No rebooting. No problem!

[LSI_Morales]

Dear Southbay
Dear Jeffrey

I am deeply sorry you see things in that way, the other program works at a different level without using the manufacturer's driver, hence he offers no guarantee nor support, etc.
Perhaps there is no argument agains the freedom of choise but, if your scanner gets damaged in the process no one will respond for those damages (as we already heard from customers who try the other program and ended up with useless machines).

Cheers