As the subject suggests I want to fit a scanner to my system. My PC is about 2 years old now PII 400MHZ 64MB Ram. How do I do it? I don't think I have USB...see I told you I was an I.T dunce..Help
All help would be much appreciated

 

hiya, you don't need a USB one.
Just get one with a parallel port on it, plug the scanner into the computer and the printer into the scanner...dead easy

 

Not 100% sure being more of a Mac user but depending on what operatiing system you are running ,Win 95 or 98 ,adding USB support is relatively simple. A company called Belkin make a 2 port USB PCI card which slots into your PC giving you 2 USB ports, this costs around £25 plus VAT. USB is now fairly common for sanner connections although faster higher specification scanners use SCSI or Firewire to connect, both of the connections can be added to your PC via a card but these cost more than USB .

I'll check what version of Windows you need for USB support, although I'm sure someone else will know , and try and let you know tomorrow. have you got a scanner already or do you need some a help on this ??

AllanB

 

Thanks chaps. I don't have a scanner at the moment. I have an epson 760 printer and that's about it! All help appreciated.
What is the best scanner available with software etc in the low to skint bracket? I nearly ordered from jungle.com but stopped when I realised I knew nothing about scanners they seem to have some excellent deals.
Once again thanks for your replies

 

Dixons were doing a low-end HP printer over Christmas at HALF price (the one that comes with the cheap PC bundles) - GBP40ish?

Dunno if they still have 'em?

Edited to say that it is USB only though

mb

[This message has been edited by boomer (edited 04 January 2001).]

 

HP do a Parallel/USB cheapy (£100sh??) scanner. Gives you both options.

Nephew got one for xmas & b'ggered if I could get the USB going on his Win98 SE Brio. Parallel worked 1st time

 

From memory, you need Windows 95 OSR2 (the final release), Windows 98 or Windows 2000 to use USB. It doesn't work on Windows NT.

Right-click on your My Computer icon and select the devices tab. Somewhere on there you will find a USB controller if your PC is USB-enabled.

If you can use USB then choose it over parallel as the data transfer rate from the scanner to the the PC will be much, much faster.

 

Thanks again for all the help I right clicked on 'My computer' and located what appears to be USB. On the back of my Epson 760 there is a strange symbol with USB by the side of it. This same symbol appears next to a couple of small sockets on the back of my PC. If I'm not mistaken these are USB sockets.
The question is am I right?
Answers please... talk about demonstrating my ignorance or what...

 

If your PCs got USB (and from what you say it sounds like it has) I'd recommend a Hewlett Packard 3300.

I bought one a few weeks ago and I am very happy with it. It worked first times and comes with some good software.

I bought mine from DABS.COM - £57.57 including VAT and delivery.

 

CLS I can possible sort you out with a scanner if I can battle my way into my spare room to find one. If you want something fairly current I'd personally suggest Canon or Agfa or at the cheaper end of the scale Umax. Bear in mind some of the cheaper scanners can be a little flimsy and rather slow so its worth paying a little more for something we a well know brand thats going to be reliable and fairly quick.

have a look at

 

Youve found the USB ports ok!

AllanB,

I was thinking of getting a scanner, is your offer open to all?

robski

 

Of course I'm always willing to help any Scoobynet memebers, I won't always be the cheapest on everything but generally can beat what Action, Dabs , Simply can do and most importantly with better serrvice. Let me know what your after and I'll see what I can do .


AllanB

 

CLS - If you go for a HP SCSI Scanner they come with a SCSI PCI card. This will allow you to keep your parallel port free for printers etc, and a SCSI scanner is faster than a parallel one. They also come with some pretty cool software aswell.

PTMW - With reference to the USB problem you had with that 98 Brio have you enabled USB Support in the CMOS setup? I had to do this on my PC as it is not enabled as standard.

Steve

 

All I can say chaps is thanks for all the advice!
Scoobynet....blimmin wonderful.

 

A couple of you chaps emailed me a couple of days ago and I've had a very odd problem with my email so can you email me again and I'll get on the case for you. (Emails sent and recieved between certains dates have gone !!)


AllanB

 

Alan,

I was after a price on a 3C891A-UK if my mail has gone AWOL.

Cheers,

Chris.