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    Using older drivers

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Fe ®, Jul 7, 2011.

  1. Fe ®

    Fe ® Notebook Geek

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    I have an HP Scanjet 5100C scanner, which I used to use with Windows XP. When I got Windows 7 it no longer works as the drivers are not compatible and there are no newer ones.

    Is it possible to use something like VM Player (or any other program), install XP on it and use that when I need the scanner? The other option is to dual boot XP and 7, but I'm not too keen on restarting every time I need to use the scanner alone.
     
    Fe ®, Jul 7, 2011
    #1
  2. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

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    Yes, you should be able to use a Virtual Machine. Windows 7 has the ability to run XP Mode, but only in the Professional and Ultimate editions.
     
    anseio, Jul 7, 2011
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    Or, you could buy yourself a copy of vuescan ( www.hamrick.com). Vuescan is very very good stuff. It supports many many many thousands of current and legacy scanners, even ones that the original makers have abandoned.

    Runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. 32/64 bit.

    The initial download is free to try for a while. I'm not 100% sure but a license with 1 year of upgrade/update entitlement is $40- while a license with lifetime upgrade/update entitlement is $80-.

    It's been years since I've bothered with any of the software that manufacturers package with their scanners.
     
    newsposter, Jul 7, 2011
    #3
  4. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

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    I tried Vuescan once and didn't like it. I have a $500 Nikon scanner (well, that much at the time of purchase) and Vuescan couldn't do the one feature that was key on the scanner. Digital ICE - dust smudge removal.

    So, I scan into XP so I can use the Nikon software.
     
    anseio, Jul 7, 2011
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  5. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    "used it once"

    Pretty much sums up your experience, no?

    Things evolve.
     
    newsposter, Jul 7, 2011
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  6. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

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    Correction... Used it twice, a year apart. If it doesn't support the main feature of my scanner, then i'll choose the method that does. This is not to say that vuescan is bad, just not as specific to my scanner as i'd like.
     
    anseio, Jul 7, 2011
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  7. Fe ®

    Fe ® Notebook Geek

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    Doesn't seem to support the 5100C so not looking good for me atm
     
    Fe ®, Jul 7, 2011
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  8. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    So write the software maker to see if they can add support.

    I've done that for a series of Minolta and Epson scanners.
     
    newsposter, Jul 8, 2011
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  9. Falco152

    Falco152 Notebook Demon

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    It is going to pretty difficult to get HP to update drivers or provide support for consumer products .

    So, Good luck.
     
    Falco152, Jul 8, 2011
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  10. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    Scanners are still a thing?
     
    nemt, Jul 8, 2011
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  11. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You've clearly never worked in the publishing industry.
     
    saturnotaku, Jul 8, 2011
    #11