Primax Scanner FAQ

Windows XP/Vista Compatibility

Regarding compatibility with newer versions of Windows, Primax have released the following statement.

"Primax is not producing any driver files for the new Microsoft Windows operating systems. Please install the Windows 98 Driver for Windows ME and the Windows 2000 Driver for Windows XP. Primax's Technical Support department can't guarantee the function of any Primax Products on Microsoft Windows ME or Microsoft Windows XP".

Since releasing the above statement Primax have closed their website so I think we can safely say there is no support for Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Frequently Asked Questions

My scanner does not produce an image when I scan

This is most likely an IRQ conflict. Both scanner and Soundcard. are configured on IRQ 5. The easiest thing to do is to change the IRQ for your Soundcard. e.g. IRQ10 or 11 is free in most cases (please refer to your Soundcard's manual how to change it's settings).

I've used my scanner with Windows 3.1x but now I have installed Windows 95 and...

Again this is probably an IRQ conflict. Windows 95 autodetects most Soundcards and installs drivers for it. Unfortunately the IRQ is set to 5. In most cases you can change this setting in the control panel, system, device manager, sound video and game cont...., resources tab.

I've got a Pentium PC and my scanner with parallel interface doesn't work

This is a conflict caused by a DMA setting in your PC. Most new Pentium PC's use the ECP mode for the parallel port. However this configuration takes up DMA 3, which is the factory (default) DMA setting of the interface card supplied with your scanner. Change the mode for the parallel port (in your system BIOS) or the DMA setting for your scanner (refer your PC's manual how to do that).

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I've got a Pentium PC and my scanner doesn't work

This is a conflict caused by a DMA setting in your PC. Most new Pentium PC's use the ECP mode for the parallel port. However this configuration takes up DMA 3, which is the factory (default) DMA setting of the interface card supplied with your scanner. Change the mode for the parallel port (in your system BIOS) or the DMA setting for your scanner (refer your PC's manual how to do that).

Finishing touch or Image Pals appears to be a little unstable

This problem can be caused by several configuration settings. These are the things you should check: Don't use any disk compression programs like Double Space or Stacker.
Make sure you have at least 20Mb of free disk space.

Remove all temporary files (*.tmp) from you hard disk (Do this in a regular basis).

Try a standard VGA driver for your display adapter (Supplied with your MS Windows).

(For Windows 3.1x users only) Check if your virtual memory is set to approximately 20,000 Kb and set to type permanent.

During calibration the indicator bar jumps to red immediately

This is generally caused by an IRQ conflict. Try IRQ 10, 11 or 5. If those are in use configure your Soundcard to IRQ 7 and your scanner to IRQ 5.

My scanner scans but produces vertical lines through the image

This problem appears when the scanner is not calibrated properly, or when the lamp cover is dirty. Try recalibrating, but before you press the start button wait for about 1 minute. This enables the light tube to warm up to it's full strength. Then start calibrating, moving the scanner slowly over the calibration sheet. Never let the indication bar exceed to yellow or red.

My PC locks up when I acquire my scanner

A problem caused by a wrong driver for your display adapter. Please make sure you have the correct driver for your video card. If you're unsure about this, select the standard VGA driver supplied with your Windows.

For Windows 3.1x users; In DOS, goto you Windows directory (e.g. C:|Windows>) and type setup (refer to your manual for detailed instructions.

For Windows 95 users; Click start, settings, control panel.Double click display, click the settings tab and click change.

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My scanner isn't recognised during installation (I/O error)

If this is the case, you have probably a printer connected to the scanner's "switch box" that goes in the parallel port of your computer. Please disconnect your printer during installation. When the installation is finished, reconnect your printer. It is also possible that this message occurs when you have a Pentium PC. Please check the BIOS for the mode of your parallel port (You can enter the BIOS when you start your PC. A message like "press Del to enter SETUP" appears on your screen, but this can differ on different systems. WARNING: Changing settings in your BIOS, Setup or CMOS can damage your system. PRIMAX can not be held responsible for this). If your parallel port is configured as an "ECP printer port", change it to a "standard printer port". In the different BIOS's this mode may also be called "compatible, standard, AT or SPP".

I can't get my scanner to work with Windows 95

When you're a Windows 95 user, check all things in the above FAQ. And in addition to that you will have to change the mode for the parallel port inside Windows 95 to. This is necessary while Windows 95 autodetects the mode for your parallel port and does not change it automatically when you change the mode in the BIOS. You can check and change the mode for your parallel port in your control panel, device manager, system, ports.... (refer to Windows manual or the Windows 95 help section for details).

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My scanner produces a General Protection Fault after it scans a few inches

This problem is usually caused by a program or some kind of driver that checks the parallel port, like a printer driver. Please remove this driver from your Windows system and reinstall without the checking option. Refer to your printer users manual for instructions for instructions how to do this.

My softfile detector shows a "no entry" (traffic) sign through it's icon

If you have the possibility to configure a EPP or ECP mode for your printer port in your BIOS, select the ECP mode .
Otherwise try and remove all your temporary (*.tmp) files, and run scandisk to check your harddisk for errors.
Make sure you have your power adapter plugged in and the lights on the scanner are on.

I want to scan from programs other than softfile

Install this program, press file, select source, select the PaperEASE and start scanning. The PaperEASE is twain compatible.

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My scanner isn't recognised in Windows 95 when I let my system search for new hardware

Windows 95 will never autodetect a scanner, because Microsoft did not include scanner drivers in the current version of Windows 95. Just install the floppies as described in the manual. Twain driver, Finishing Touch and Read Iris, and your scanner will work. However, the TWAIN driver works in 16 bit mode.

My system reports scanner not found, when press I Acquire

Please check the following items.

• Check for different SCSI devices, and make sure that every device has a unique ID.
• Use the program scandisk to check your hard disk for errors. For Windows 3.1x users this program must be run from DOS. For Windows 95 press the START button, Programs, Accessories, System tools, scandisk.
• Don't use any disk compression utilities such as Double space, Drive space or Stacker.
• Check your hard disk for temporary files (*.tmp). These files are usually located in a directory or folder C:\TEMP or C:\TMP. In most cases you can remove all these files.

I have my scanner connected to a another brand SCSI card and....

A SCSI host adapter can service (max.) 7 devices (hard disks, CD-ROM drives, Tape streamers etc.) on a SCSI string. These devices can be built in or connected to the external connector of your SCSI host adapter. Every last device of a SCSI string should be terminated, which means that the scanner should be terminated to. In some cases you will have to remove the terminator on the host adapter.

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My Datapen won't install in Windows 95

You probably have Datapen software version 2.0, which is designed to install Datapen software in Windows 3.1x. You will need to get hold of version 2.10 of the drivers, or the patch which upgrades your installation diskette to version 2.10, both available from Primax.

When I start the Datapen software the message "Datapen check fails" appears

• Make sure you have power connected to your Datapen switcher (Either from your keyboard connector, or from the battery pack).
• Check the mode for your parallel port. If the port is configured as an EPP/ECP port, please select a different mode (like Standard, compatible or SPP mode).
• Check for programs (working in background) that use or check the parallel port. Programs like Interlink/Interserver, Direct Cable connection and even some Printer drivers (HP 4L), use/check the parallel port. Temporarily disable these programs, or use a different parallel port (LPT2) to use the Datapen.

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Here is the solution for Primax computers not detecting or locking up Pentium II systems containing LX Chipset. You have to change or add these lines to the system.ini file.

the section entitled [ScannerParameters]

Change or Add:

Port_Mode=1
Port_ChipType=0

and in the section entitled [386Enh]

look for device=c:\scanner\scandev.386

below this, add:

Port_ChipControl=1

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Error "scanner not found" or "Error 82"

• Check if printer is turned on.
• This is a communication error between Twain driver and scanner. Check Parallel port mode. This should be EPP or SPP. This can be changed in your system BIOS of the PC.
• Insert an extra parallel port which can be set to EPP.
• It could be that the scanner is not compatible with the chipset for the Parallel port. (Can occur with 386 & 486 machines).
• Hardware problem try scanner on other PC or exchange scanner in store.

The Twain driver cannot Prescan in Colour mode

Consult vendor or PRIMAX HelpDesk for new Twain driver. You can temporarily solve this problem by Prescanning in Grey.

Picture is unsharp

Set VGA driver (display driver) to 32000 colours or higher.A:Set Scanner resolution to min 150 dpi.

Why is the green Light next to green button on ?

To indicate scanner is in "Stand-by" mode.

Can green scanner light be turned off?

Yes: in Twain software.

What is the use of the green button on the scanner?

What does "ScannerUtility" do?

• It verifies the scanner connection.
• It can also turn off scanner lamp at set time.
• It can change scanner speed.

Why does my computer crash while scanning a picture?

Why does my printer not work?

The pass-through connector might not be fully compatible with your printer. Connect the PRIMAX manual AB switch box to solve the problem. Install an extra parallel port that can be set to EPP.

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