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Hi Heads, We need help here. We're running Corel 8 and Windows98 OS. Just bought a new scanner (HP 7400c series) it needs a Stimon.exe loaded into my startup in order to work. Problem is Corel won't run properly now, it's constantly crashing the system. There is a conflict here and it has to do with the new scanner. I'm not even scanning with Corel, I'm using Adobe Photoshop. But with this Stimon.exe in my startup, Corel just won't operate properly (it will even crash just printing a graphic file on the ColorCamm) having nothing to do at all with scans.
I've talked with tech support at HP & Corel. They've not heard of this before. Would a higher version of Corel help or should I just take this scanner back and get a Microtek? I was considering their Scanmaker 5.
Any ideas out there? I thought I would check here first before just taking it back. Because another brand of scanner may still cause a problem? Thanks, Jennifer
------------------ Bob Bond's Artistry Lee's Summit, MO BobBondArtist@hotmail.com
Posts: 101 | From: Lee's Summit, MO USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Not sure what you mean by loaded into your start-up. My scanner wants to automatically be 'awake' when the puter starts (wants to be an icon on window by clock) giving me real problems. If this is what you mean, play with the scanner set-up. Should be a way to turn it so the scanner utility only starts when you tell it to (not always runing in background). You may have to un-install the scanner and re-install it, using custom installation instead of the standard installation. Hope this helps.
------------------ Chris King Paper Works & Graphix Indiana, PA
Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Whenever I've installed HP software for their hardware it stomps on everything else. They seem to think that operating their hardware is the most important thing you'll ever do. I would suspect them the most and I've had good luck with the two Microtek scanners I've owned.
------------------ Artworks Olympia WA
Posts: 797 | From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Bob I hate to complain but if I was loking for a new scanner I would rethink the Microtek scanners I have a 9600XL at work hooked up to my workstation and it has been nothing but trouble. We have changed the network card in the PC and the SCSI card to make it useable plus I have two batch files that run everytime I start the computer just to make it work. Also the other day the transparancy adapter /lid had a plastic piece fall of and it jammed and that was the latest problem. Also I find the scanmaker software interface is the worst if you use any settings out of the normal ones it stops working.
------------------ Steve Eisenreich PC Bytes Cold Lake, Alberta pcbytes@telusplanet.net
Posts: 774 | From: Cold Lake | Registered: Mar 2000
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Thanks for the response guys. Chris, I will check out the settings, in my start-up means that it has a .exe file that is always running in the background (I think). Jim, I am leaning more toward what you said about HP taking over, this is even affecting our other computer because when we try opening one of Bob's files on my system, the host (which is his) crashes. Just since the HP software has been installed. Steve, thanks for the input. Now you guys really have me thinking.
I'm probably going to take this HP back for a refund. I don't need scanner software disrupting 2 businesses here. Does anyone have pros or cons as to UMAX or Epson scanners? At this point I don't care what it costs, we need a high-end scanner that won't cause trouble. Thanks, Jen
------------------ Bob Bond's Artistry Lee's Summit, MO BobBondArtist@hotmail.com
Posts: 101 | From: Lee's Summit, MO USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Jim may have a point there. The HP software may have overwritten a file that Corel requires with an older/modified version. If that is the case, reinstalling Corel might solve the problem.
We use an HP scanner at work, and the stimon file is loaded there too. I don't have any problems, but I also installed all the hardware stuff before installing Corel. Let us know...
------------------ Bob Darnell London, Ontario, Canada
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I would agree with Bob D. Try reinstalling Corel before returning scanner. When I replaced my scanner(Canon N650U) a few months ago, it had conflicts with Corel also. Once I reinstalled Corel everything works fine. I was told that Corel has to recognize the scanner as it is being installed.
------------------ Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane.
Posts: 2277 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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I gave up on HP years ago for just the same reason. Their drivers suck! Return the HP and get a UMAX and you won't have any problems. Same thing for HP printers. Talk about finnicky....!! Lexmark, on the other hand, works great. It's all got to do with drivers and how they are written. HP just doesn't quite understand how to do it. The hardware itself is OK, but the the software is bush league. Park of the problem might also be your security key from your signmaking software. And, that's a whole other topic in itself. Life is more than trying to get peripheral devices to work. They are supposed to be "plug and play" and if a company can't get with the program...I would go with another company who can.
At any rate...good luck with whatever you decide to do.
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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First of all we want to thank everyone for their input. A community like this was unthinkable just a few short years ago. We couldn't go anywhere else and get this much valuable information. A big thank you is in order.
Okay, I did reinstall Corel 8 and no luck there. I checked the preferences and settings in the scanning software and had no luck there. (I never thought of a conflict with our signmaking security key, that's pretty scary).I will install Corel 9 today If Corel 9 doesn't help, we are going to return the HP to the store and will purchase a UMAX.
Actually as I'm typing this Bob just crashed 2 more times. Sooo... I just now uninstalled it and unpluged it. We're going to take it back tomorrow and I think I'll move up to Corel 9 anyway. Thank you all again for your valuable knowledge and input. Jennifer
------------------ Bob Bond's Artistry Lee's Summit, MO BobBondArtist@hotmail.com
Posts: 101 | From: Lee's Summit, MO USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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HP hardware is crap crap crap crap and their drivers arent any better.
They used to be good but have gone downhill in order to produce cheap hardware to have competitive prices.
You'll be A-OK with Epson or UMAX. I have a UMAX Astra 1200|s.. by no means a true professional level scanner (you cant touch pro for under $1,000) but it was definitely the king of the consumer market when I bought it, especially at only $250.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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One thing I would like to mention regarding scanners. They are simply nothing but picture takers. They are exactly like cameras except that we don't need to spend a large sum of money to that extra professional quality. Even a $100 scanner is more than we need for what we do. Those of us who do digital printing also fall into that class. Those of us who only cut vinyl especially fall into that class. We take a picture, make a pcx file and then vectorize it. How good do you think a scanner has to be to do that? If you are spending $1000 for a scanner you are throwing away good money for nothing. Your vectorizing software is the key here, not the scanner! And, even the best vectorizing software will usually require some cleanup before you can cut. Bob...a UMAX will do just fine and their drivers are well written. Before you install your new scanner however, I would go to Control Panel, System, Device Manager and then click on Imaging Device and REMOVE your old scanner first. You can also try this before you buy a new scanner and then re-boot and sometimes Windows will pick up the scanner as a new device and take care of your problem for you. It's worth a try...but I'm pretty sour on HP products no matter what. Keep us posted on how things work out....
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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We're pretty sour on HP now too. That puppy is back at the store and our crashes are over. Can't buy a UMAX like we need here in the Kansas City area. Times like this is when I miss Los Angeles, but only times like this. So I will have to order it and have it shipped.
I agree that for most of what we need for scanning and vectorizing not much of a scanner is needed. I always tell people not to let a salesperson talk them into buying more than what they need. We used to never scan anything in color and never needed more than 150 or 300 dpi. But now that we are producing AutoArt Magazine and working as a advertising agency and publishing company we've found that we need a larger scanning bed, full color with a higher resolution and need to have the capabilities to also scan slides and transparencys. I have found a UMAX PowerLook 2100XL with a transparency adapter for $1695.79 which includes free 2-day shipping and handling. Any thoughts or opinions on this before we actually purchase it? You guys are great, thanks, Jennifer
------------------ Bob Bond's Artistry Lee's Summit, MO BobBondArtist@hotmail.com
Posts: 101 | From: Lee's Summit, MO USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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From everything I've heard and read the slide adapters don't work nearly as well as a dedicated film scanner. Those start out at the $1,000 mark. I would get a consumer flatbed and a film scanner if you're gonna spend that kind of money.
------------------ Artworks Olympia WA
Posts: 797 | From: Olympia, WA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm not sure how your scanner saga turned out but if you're still looking for a UMAX don't forget to try the Internet. You might as well take advantage of the Internet and the shopping features for as long as you can. It is a consumers paradise. You don't need to leave your shop to buy a scanner...or almost anything else anymore. If you are not sure where to start...start at Yahoo Shopping, that's as good a place as any. Once the vendors figure out they are giving away merchandise, this will all come to a screeching halt. Webvan was a great example of a consumer mecca. The buyers made out great while the sellers lost out by giving away goods and services. I'm in California and my last scanner came from New York, next day, no shipping charge and under $100 and it works great. Oh yeah...no sales tax either.
------------------ Louis A. Lazarus Milt's Sign Service, Inc. 20 So. Linden Ave. #5B 650-588-0490 fontking1a@aol.com
Posts: 560 | From: El Granada, CA | Registered: Apr 1999
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if this is still an ongoing problem, and you still have the HP scanner, I think I can help you out. If you've already gone to a Umax,no biggie.
HP scanners are like most everyone elses hardware - you get what you pay for. The older 4c/6100 series is/was a great scanner - fast, dependable and accurate.
If you're a top-quality type person and you want a flexible scanner that has more bells and whistles than a calliope, you'd be hard pressed to find a better unit than the upper level Agfa's. The Duoscan 1200T comes to mind as a real workhorse with tons of features.
Again - they weigh in around $700 or so - pricey, but you get what you pay for.
------------------ Robb Lowe Hub City Graphics Spartanburg, SC
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Update...We bought the UMAX within a few days of returning the HP. There are no more crashes or conflicts and the software is VERY nice, just like fontking said it would be. The HP had a small transparency adapter and that, along with what Jim said in an earlier reply about a dedicated transparency scanner got me thinking. This UMAX doesn't have a little adapter, It actually has two completely different tops turning it into either a flatbed reflective scanner or a dedicated transparency scanner depending upon which one you have on. This has been an eye-opening experience for Bob and myself. The first thing I learned was to always check with everybody on this BB first. There are some things I consider myself pretty good at and can offer help to others, but this was definitly not one of them. I thank you all again for your knowledge and willingness to share. I feel bad about not letting everyone know the outcome sooner, but it was time to go into production and until that's done I don't even have time to check the emails. BTW if anyone out there has emailed us, I'm working on them tomorrow. Jennifer
------------------ Bob Bond's Artistry Lee's Summit, MO BobBondArtist@hotmail.com
Posts: 101 | From: Lee's Summit, MO USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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