Windows 8 / Scanners?

[John S.]

Hi folks, I'm new to this site so please bear with me. I have just upgraded? my computer which comes with Windows 8. Having contacted Epson and downloaded the recommended driver for my Perfection 3200 it appears to be still incompatible. Should I just upgrade my scanner, V750 perhaps, but according to specs. that only goes to Windows 7. Ideas anyone? My 3200 works well with Windows XP and is more than adequate for my needs, ie: scanning transparencies and producing excellent results. Perhaps I should just upload to Cloud or Skydrive!

 

[OzJohn]

It's not a great solution but I have struck a similar problem with win7 in relation to a couple of older dye sub printers that I use infrequently but which are still valuable for certain jobs. I could find no other solution but to keep a computer running XP for these printers. I know someone who programs in an older version of Visual Basic who has had to do the same thing because he can't write programs on anything after XP although the actual programs, when written, will apparently still run on win7 and 8 and even Vista!

Everyone wants to keep selling us new stuff thus creating more mountains of landfill. OzJohn

 

[John S.]

It's not a great solution but I have struck a similar problem with win7 in relation to a couple of older dye sub printers that I use infrequently but which are still valuable for certain jobs. I could find no other solution but to keep a computer running XP for these printers. I know someone who programs in an older version of Visual Basic who has had to do the same thing because he can't write programs on anything after XP although the actual programs, when written, will apparently still run on win7 and 8 and even Vista!

Everyone wants to keep selling us new stuff thus creating more mountains of landfill. OzJohn

Right OzJohn, Epson recommended a driver update but I still can't get it to work. Even the specs. on the V750 only go to W7. But I said that in the original post didn't I!

In fact, is anybody scanning transparencies on Win8.?

 

[OzJohn]

Right OzJohn, Epson recommended a driver update but I still can't get it to work. Even the specs. on the V750 only go to W7. But I said that in the original post didn't I!

In fact, is anybody scanning transparencies on Win8.?

Of course there would be people out there scanning with Win 8 but I'm not one of them. My intention in replying was to point out that the issue of incompatibility with new versions of Windows goes back much further than Win 8.

Seeing that you use an Epson scanner you may not know that Adobe has claimed that Epson's version of the TWAIN interface is poorly implemented - this issue caused great angst with the release of Photoshop CS5 because essentially you cannot scan directly into CS5 from an Epson scanner, irrespective of what drivers or version of Windows are being used, without stuffing up other unrelated functionality in PS - eg actions. There has been a lot of discussion about it on the net including on Adobe's website and it could be worth chasing up out of interest. OzJohn

 

[ctscanner]

John,

You might want to look into the Vuescan and Lasersoft scanning programs. In both instances their sites should tell you rather your scanner would be supported under Windows 8 with their systems. I have used both systems; don't hesitate to recommend them - have both installed on my new Windows7 machines. And by the way, that's how I got past issues that were present with Nikon scanners being supported on the Windows 7 OpSys.

George

 

[John S.]

Yippee! It's working. Well sort of, I don't seem to be able to switch between home and prof. mode as yet and I've just discovered that the lid illumination for trannies. isn't working. That was only repaired 3 months ago.
Here's the link:-

Epson Perfection 3200:EPSON Scan3.0u

John S.

 

[John S.]

ctscanner, thanks for the info.. Lasersoft say that neither the scanner or softwear is compatible with Win8. So why is it working, for photos. and documents, at least?

 

[ctscanner]

Hey John,
As to what you found on the Lasersoft site; I believe the site is listing the current situation as regards the the software/scanner combination for Windows 8. Keep in mind that Lasersoft packages are written to support a specific scanner running under certain Ops Systems. It might be that a Windows 8 version is in the works. As to your specific question, it looks like you were able to get your Epson Scan software to perform - good for you, and be sure to write down what you did.

 

[John S.]

Hi ctscanner,
All I did was to download the update on the link and click on add device. That enabled the scanner, but because of it's fault (that's all I hope) I could only scan flat copy. It's back at the local Epson repair shop right now. What is a problem though, is that there doesn't appear to be any method of switching modes ie. full auto, home or prof., as in the original smart screen, nor are any options available such as scan to file/scan to web etc.. It's early days, Win 8 is relatively new. I wait, in anticipation, but perhaps I really need a dedicated film scanner!

 

[John S.]

OK, it's a lot of dosh, but I thought I might take the plunge and go for an Epson V750. Turns out that no drivers are available for Win.8. Maybe I should just go back to my laptop/Vista or my old XP computer, but I do really like Win. 8.
Just an afterthought, I could partition the HD and load XP, at least then I would only be using one computer.

 

[John S.]

After a bit more research and info. from ctscanner, it seems that Vuescan do have a download for both the Perfection 3200 and the V750 for Win. 8. Now I just need the scanner back from the repair shop to check it out.

 

[ctscanner]

Vuescan is a very good scanning package in my opinion. I don't think you would be disappointed in it. One piece of advice regarding the package: Buy the PRO version - it provides you with free updates every time the software is upgraded. Mine was originally purchased back in 2001/2002, and I have been thru four PC's and three OPSys' with it.

 

[John S.]

Thanks for that, ctscanner, but where's my scanner?