I just got a scanner from someone but the software is not compatible with windows XP. It's a UMAX Astra 1220U. Anyone know where i can download any type of software that'd let me use this scanner?

With the appropriate drivers in place, any graphics software that supports the TWAIN interface should be able to access the device (e.g. Paint Shop Pro).

However, for future reference, please be more careful in making such download requests due to the warez implications. Instead you should be asking for title request or more specifically freeware/shareware.

By the way, I have a UMAX Astra 1200S on XP, so I speak from experience.

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Looks like Google's Picasa is some neat browsing software that can access VistaScan's TWAIN interface, so that's one freeware option. IrfanView is another piece of free browser software that can get it to it as well.

Hope it helps and good luck.

Does Paint .Net support scanning via TWAIN?

irfanvies is free and works well. I use it for all my scanning needs.

G.i.P

@Scott: I don't know about Paint .NET, but XP's Paint only supports the newer WIA interface. It doesn't see TWAIN devices.

Thanks for the suggestions, i'll give them a shot.



thanks for the advice, i'll keep that in mind. freeware/shareware=good warez=bad lol

There are UMAX 1200x drivers for XP. You have to read CAREFULLY instructions on HOW to install it - an order, e.t.c.

ok, thanks for the help guys, i got past issue #1, but now i have a new problem. I can access the scanner, but, no matter what program i'm using, it will start to scan (you can hear the machine moving and whatnot) and then (about 2 seconds later) it just stops. no sound, no motion, nothing on my screen to tell me if the computer knows whats going on. so i close the program (xp scanning wizard) and re-open it and it won't let me use the device because "the device is currently in use." any ideas?

@taco bell
got picasa2. so far it looks good, thanks

Yeah, my scanner does exactly that too sometimes. It performed better under W2K.

My advice is to close all other programs prior to scanning as it's an intense operation--especially on USB. If you still encounter the problem, then try cycling power on the device and, worst case, restart the system.

As for the program, glad you're liking it so far.

My dad has the same scanner, UMAX only offers driver support for XP via purchase. Even if you have the original windows drivers thst came with the scanner you will have to purchase XP driver support for this scanner. I tried alot of different ways to get the scanner to work, UMAX driver was the only thing that worked properly. If you end up going this route, make sure you get the patch as well or you will have to reinstall after every reboot.

@virtualraider: Your last point struck me as I had purchased updated drivers at some point, but I still get that glitch sometimes.

I also go so long between scans that sometimes I actually do just resort to reinstalling the drivers to fix things, so maybe I really just need that patch you mentioned. I'll definitely have to look into that.

I think he should just buy a new one

thanks again, but i still can get nothing to work. and frankly i'm a little low on cash so i can make do without for now. i have alternative methods (friends, school, etc.) but i thought it'd be nice not to jump through hoops to get pictures onto my computer. oh well.

What errors do you get? Did you try the drivers guide drivers and the xp scanner toools?

@rjz: As I said, I'm familiar with this problem, and you don't get an error message. The device just craps out!

As for DriverGuide, it looks like they have UMAX VistaScan 3.55u for XP which is what komae should already be using.

Also, as mentioned previously, you can't use the XP's built-in scanning stuff since his scanner's a TWAIN device and that functionality only works with WIA stuff.

you got it tacobell. i did all that's been suggested short of purchasing stuff.

@rjz
like i said....no error message, it just stops.

...bleh....too much hassle.

jebus... crap-assware

Komae,

Did you find driver/software for your 1220U for XP?

I had the same systems you desribed (start, stop two seconds, etc) trying to use it with 2000's Imaging program.

Umax recommends version 3.55 for use with XP. Of course they want you to buy it.

However, you can backdoor it directly from their FTP site

ftp://ftp.umax.com/scanners

You will want the Vistascan.

Well that 3.55 download Evie is only an update, so I wonder if that's the same patch that virtualraider first mentioned over here.