This might be a long shot, but have you tried different USB ports? I had a scanner that insisted on being installed individually on EACH port (including a powered USB hub). After installing it "everywhere", it works "anywhere"... There is a USB ready program to check the software part of the OS. http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans3/ Rick Glazier From: "Walt Ezyk" > Hi, in March my computer, PIII, 450MHz, 256B ram, Win98SE, crashed with the > blue screen. A tech person restored the system and all is working well > except the scanner. When ever I click the scanner icon to start up the > scanner, I get the message "please connect or switch on your scanner". > Before the crash, when I turned on the computer the scanner indicator light > would blink and then remain on. But now when I turn on the computer the > light blinks but then it doesn't stay on. The scanner is an Agfa Snapscan > 1212, connected with a USB cable. I've changed the USB cable with no change. > Is there a way to check the USB port? Thanks. The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech support at our newest website: http://freepctech.com