Susan: I'm sorry you are still having trouble with your scanner, that the
guff from HP didn't help.

There are two different problems here.

The scanner.

Does your system recognize the scanner? Go into the device manager, scroll
down to scanner, click, then hit properties. It should tell you if the
scanner is working properly.
I suggest you might try removing the scanner in the device manager -- hit
the remove button while the scanner is still highlighted -- then restarting
your 'puter and let Windows reinstall your scanner. When it asks for driver,
click 'Have Disk' then browse to your HP CD. I know this may sounds a little
complicated, but once you've done it there's no problem. Unfortunately,
you'll have to constantly update your drivers so this procedure is something
you are going to have to learn sooner or later. It is important that you
have your scanner powered up and connected before your restarting your
'puter so the Windows Hardware Wizard can recognize it. (Though having said
that, once you have the scanner successfully installed only have it powered
up when you actaully want to use it. I find the HP scanners are resource
hogs constantly reminding the CPU that it is standing by for instructions.
This is especially anoying when using scan disk or defragging.)

The USB Connection
At the rear of your 'puter you should have two USB connections. One is for a
USB hub the other is for a single connection. The hub outlet should have a
multiple head arrow, the single outlet just a straight one headed arrow. It
is this latter you connect your scanner through. As you have a Gateway. I
would check their website to see if they have isssued a more recent driver
for the USB controller. There is possible one on your Gateway
restore/application disk -- I presume this is the one you mention. You do
not mention your printer connection, but if it too is USB then you have
problems. It's too complicated and contentious to explain here, but I've
found it better to run your printer (especially if it's HP) through the
printer port and your scanner through the USB. Likewise with the scanner
check your device manager to see if the USB controller is listed and working
properly. If your scanner can work through both the USB and a normal port
use the a standard cable and connect it with the printer port and see if
this works.

Finally a few words in defense of ME. I have it, and it's working perfectly.
In my limited experience it works better on a upgrade from WIN98 vanilla and
worse from a upgrade from WIN98SE. The latter was buggy as hell with all
sorts of problems so possibly many problems ME users have stem from it.
Also, contrary to what MS claim, I believe ME is more for power users than
moms and dads of this world. There are a lot of tweaks one can do to make it
work to your style. But, if you have upgraded from WIN98 then why not remove
ME?

My apologies for the length of this.

Richard Innes
Auckland New Zealand
[log in to unmask]


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