LaserSoft Imaging

Problem:
"Scanner Not Found" dialog message generated and SF Launcher.exe hangs in WINXPsp2 with the following product mix:

A previous instance of Brother MFC420CN TCP/IP Networked multi-function printer/scanner/fax/copier installed in the system.

Plustek 7200 installed with version 3.2.0 OpticFilm CD shipped with the product.

Silverfast SE 6 from CD shipped with product.

Discussion:
The problem is not resolved by 6.5.0r5 SE. Once the two software drivers have been installed together, the Plustek/Silverfast driver cannot be de-installed until the other product and drivers have been de-installed first. Once the two drivers and applications have been de-installed, either one will successfully install alone again. The user experience is severely impacted by requiring reinstallations to switch from product to product.

Resolution:
The only solution so far found is to install only one of the products on the computer, or install a second instance of Windows on a second partition of the hard-drive and keep each product isolated to one or the other instance of the dual-boot installation but never both together. The user experience is adverse in that it requires a second available hard-drive partition and the effort to recreate a second XP installation to accommodate the conflict between the Plustek 7200/Silverfast 6.xxx SE and the Brother MFC420CN products.

Dear snowflakebeach

Yes, Windows has got troubles when multiple devices are communicating with it using the virtual device driver USBSCAN.SYS.

For more information about this topic you might want to have a look at the article "You Cannot Simultaneously Use Multiple USB Scanners in Windows XP" (article ID 324756 in the Microsoft knowledge base):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -us;324756

The very same holds true for multiple firewire scanning devices:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -us;830987
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -us;894956
This time it is the 1394SCAN.SYS which cannot be loaded multiple times.

Best regards
Sonny Noack
- Manager Technical Support, LaserSoft Imaging AG -

This issue is clouded by the observation that I purchased and installed a USB MFP (MultiFunction Printer) from Canon, a PIXMA MP600 to replace my Brother MFC420N, and it USB co-operates with the USB Plustek just fine. Both devices are installed in one instance of XP and Photoshop can import from either one at any time, with both devices powered on at the same time. The Brother was actually NOT an USB device, but a TCP/IP ethernet adapter enabled device, so the cause of the scanner co-exiting issue is actually confusing. Alas for the old Brother, it clogged its print heads soon after and was retired. The PIXMA has replaceable print heads so this will never be a problem. I recommend the inexpensive but awesome performer PIXMA MP600 to anyone.