Nikon scanner repair

bdial · Dec 30, 2010

I just purchased an Coolscan 8000 ED with the knowledge that it may need repairs. After checking it out, it does indeed.
Aside from Nikon, does anyone have any recommendations for outfits that repair Nikon scanners? I'm in the U.S.

FWIW, the scanner powers on ok, with no flashing light indicator, but the computer doesn't see it. I've tested with two different computers, and two different cables.
Nikon's site states that the POST checks everything except the Firewire port. Given that it seems to pass the POST I'm assuming that it likely needs a logic board transplant.

Thanks
Barry

donbga · Dec 30, 2010

bdial said:
I just purchased an Coolscan 8000 ED with the knowledge that it may need repairs. After checking it out, it does indeed.
Aside from Nikon, does anyone have any recommendations for outfits that repair Nikon scanners? I'm in the U.S.

FWIW, the scanner powers on ok, with no flashing light indicator, but the computer doesn't see it. I've tested with two different computers, and two different cables.
Nikon's site states that the POST checks everything except the Firewire port. Given that it seems to pass the POST I'm assuming that it likely needs a logic board transplant.

Thanks
Barry

If you find out please let us know.

Thanks,

Don Bryant

Take2 · Dec 31, 2010

Having owned the next generation 9000 ED I'd suggest taking the thing to Nikon or a Nikon Authorized Service Center. That's a pretty expensive toy and you don't want just anyone messing with it, especially considering that it can't be replaced.

If the logic board is indeed fried you'd be hard pressed to find the parts yourself, I'd think.

Denverdad · Jan 2, 2011

Barry,

I can't answer the question directly (i.e., where to send the scanner for repair), but I have had similar "no scanner found" problems with my 9000 and have found solutions. With a little luck maybe these will get you back up and running too.

Basically what I do now is to turn the software off, unplug the firewire cable from the scanner (but leave it powered on) and wait for the "be-dunk" sound. Then I plug the cable back in (getting the other "be-dunk" sound), and finally fire the software back up. I can't really explain why but usually after one cycle of this, the computer mysteriously recognizes the scanner again. On occasion, it takes a couple cycles to work. In any event it is easy enough to try if you haven't already done so.

More recently I had a completely new type of dysfunction occur with the scanner, one that I should mention because it could also be related to what you are experiencing. Basically, one day the scanner wouldn't make its usual sounds when starting up, wouldn't draw in the film holder, etc. In fact I noticed I was getting the flashing light at the end of the sequence indicating a problem with the scanner. I nearly panicked when I saw this since I really really didn't want to have to send it in for repair! But eventually I found a solution for this too. The first clue I had was that if I unplugged the firewire cable and started up the machine stand-alone, it passed POST just fine! Upon plugging the cable back in, the computer and the scanner still didn't want to talk to eachother, but it told me that it must have something to do with the communications link between the devices that was messing things up - hopefully on the computer side rather than the scanner side. Well what I ended up doing in this case was to replace the firewire card in the computer (I was fortunate to have a spare lying around), and now everything is back to normal! ...again, don't ask me to explain it, but that was all it took.

Good luck.

Jeff

bdial · Jan 2, 2011

Thank you Jeff
I gave that a try, but no dice.
I am reasonably sure that the firewire port is ok, since I can hook the same cable to my Epson, and it is seen with no problems.

On yours, at power-up how long does the light blink, roughly?
Mine spends a good minute or so blinking before it comes on solid.

In any case, if I can scare up a suitable box, it will get sent down to Nikon this week.

Thanks
Barry

Denverdad · Jan 2, 2011

Darn, I was really hoping that would do it. Oh well.

As for the blinking, I just checked and the slow (~1Hz) flash indicating that the system is checking itself out takes about 1minutes 15 seconds. But I seem to recall that it took much longer when it was having problems. As for the fast blinking that indicates there is a problem... I am thinking maybe 15 seconds? I can't say for sure since the scanner is working again now so I have no way to check it! But I am pretty sure it was not as long as a minute.

bdial · Jan 2, 2011

Darn, I was really hoping that would do it. Oh well.

Me too, believe me!
Thanks for the info on how long its startup takes. It's reassuring to know that aspect is apparently ok, FWIW.

Thanks for the insight.

mooseontheloose · Jan 3, 2011

It's been a while since I've wandered over here to hybridphoto and I've done so now because I want to scan some newly arrived Kodachrome and my computer (a dell laptop) won't recognize my Nikon Coolscan V ED. I seem to be having the same problem as you Barry -- the computer just won't recognize the scanner, although it makes all those little "ping" sounds when it gets turned on and/or attached to the computer. I tried doing what Jeff suggested, but it also did not work. Apparently NikonScan does not support Windows 7 so I downloaded Vuescan to see if that would help, but it didn't.

Just FYI, it takes my scanner about 20 seconds to boot itself up -- 15 seconds normal blinking, and less than 5 seconds rapid blinking (then it's on for good -- not that it matters at the moment).

In any event, I'll be watching this space to see if you came up with a solution. I'll let you know the same if I find one that works. Cheers.

Jay in LA · Jan 3, 2011

mooseontheloose,

Here is a link that offers code to allow Windows 7 to recognize several of the Nikon scanners. Hope this helps.

http://www.colorneg.com/nikonscan64.html?lang=en

pellicle · Jan 3, 2011

bdial said:
I just purchased an Coolscan 8000 ED with the knowledge that it may need repairs. After checking it out, it does indeed.
Aside from Nikon, does anyone have any recommendations for outfits that repair Nikon scanners? I'm in the U.S.

Barry

I had a similar experience with my Nikon LS-4000 ... it turned out to be the main board on the Nikon. I had it repaired by Nikon in Finland (where I was living). It then has warranty on the work.

I'd just go to any authorised Nikon dealer in the US near you and pay what they ask and use their warranty if needed.

best of luck

Please do post your final result for posterity

bdial · Jan 12, 2011

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
The scanner is on its way to Nikon for repair. I'll update when it gets back here, and I can actually use it.

bdial · Jan 22, 2011

It's back from Nikon, they had it for barely a week.
Currently I'm figuring out the nuances of using it.
So far, I like it, and it will be a big improvement over the flatbed.
It's awfully noisy though.

What software do people prefer? I've never quite been able to get my head around Silver Fast's UI, Nikon Scan doesn't seem to be too bad, it seems to be very persistant about some of its defaults though, for example, turning ICE on.
Not sure about Vuescan.
I don't need the scanner sw to have lots of features, basically I want it to get the scan into a file so I can work with it in PS.

Lamar · Jan 24, 2011

I tried SiverFast and VueScan trials a while back. They were ok but I was able to get the same quality, if not better, scans from Nikon Scan. You have to learn the software though and how it interacts with the scanner. The only real problem with Nikon Scan I have is that it crashes a lot. Another issue would be it's compatibility with newer operating systems. I still use it on 32 bit Windows XP Pro and 32 bit Vista Ultimate so I have not had the "pleasure" of attempting to make it work with the newer OS's. I have seen posts that indicate there are issues but have not researched problems. Nikon is defintley not a software company. If you can get around the crashes and OS issues I'd save the money and use Nikon Scan. Just take time to learn how each of the settings work and interact with each other. I honestly think it is the best match for the scanner, at least with a CoolScan V ED.

bdial said:
It's back from Nikon, they had it for barely a week.
Currently I'm figuring out the nuances of using it.
So far, I like it, and it will be a big improvement over the flatbed.
It's awfully noisy though.

What software do people prefer? I've never quite been able to get my head around Silver Fast's UI, Nikon Scan doesn't seem to be too bad, it seems to be very persistant about some of its defaults though, for example, turning ICE on.
Not sure about Vuescan.
I don't need the scanner sw to have lots of features, basically I want it to get the scan into a file so I can work with it in PS.

bdial · Jan 26, 2011

Thanks Lamar.
I've pretty much conlcuded that Nikon Scan isn't so bad. I'm running it on OSX Leopard on a PPC Mac, and it's been stable even though Leopard is newer than what they say it supports.

FWIW, I'm very pleased with the scanner so far. For 35 and MF it beats the pants off my 4990. I expected such, but it's nice to have it confirmed with actual results.

glhs116 · Jan 26, 2011

I'm running Nikon Scan under 10.6.6. No crashes or problems.

Hank the Tank · Aug 11, 2011

Coolscan 9000ED.. maddening at times.

Good Day Denverdad:
Just thought I'd throw in on this as I've had the same dysfunction error on my Coolscan 9000ED. Its maddening as it usually interrupts all my workflow. The scanner seems to lose touch with the computer making those same sounds. I do the same thing, turn off VueScan, unplug it and then cycle the scanner off, then on. Does the trick but it is a pain in the keester.

Great though for scanning 110. Got a big 110 scanning order coming in.

Sincerely

Brad (Hank)

Denverdad said:
Barry,

I can't answer the question directly (i.e., where to send the scanner for repair), but I have had similar "no scanner found" problems with my 9000 and have found solutions. With a little luck maybe these will get you back up and running too.

Basically what I do now is to turn the software off, unplug the firewire cable from the scanner (but leave it powered on) and wait for the "be-dunk" sound. Then I plug the cable back in (getting the other "be-dunk" sound), and finally fire the software back up. I can't really explain why but usually after one cycle of this, the computer mysteriously recognizes the scanner again. On occasion, it takes a couple cycles to work. In any event it is easy enough to try if you haven't already done so.

More recently I had a completely new type of dysfunction occur with the scanner, one that I should mention because it could also be related to what you are experiencing. Basically, one day the scanner wouldn't make its usual sounds when starting up, wouldn't draw in the film holder, etc. In fact I noticed I was getting the flashing light at the end of the sequence indicating a problem with the scanner. I nearly panicked when I saw this since I really really didn't want to have to send it in for repair! But eventually I found a solution for this too. The first clue I had was that if I unplugged the firewire cable and started up the machine stand-alone, it passed POST just fine! Upon plugging the cable back in, the computer and the scanner still didn't want to talk to eachother, but it told me that it must have something to do with the communications link between the devices that was messing things up - hopefully on the computer side rather than the scanner side. Well what I ended up doing in this case was to replace the firewire card in the computer (I was fortunate to have a spare lying around), and now everything is back to normal! ...again, don't ask me to explain it, but that was all it took.

Good luck.

Jeff

jeffreyg · Aug 11, 2011

This may not apply. I don't have a Nikon scanner but when my Epson 4870 with SilverFast Studio misbehaves I delete the preferences and restart. So far that has always corrected the problem.

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