HP ScanJet scanners: ETA for new drivers?

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37 points

HP ScanJet scanners: ETA for new drivers?

In another thread, Andrew the HP Mac Architect said:

"Scanjet drivers are not included in the (Snow Leopard) OS (10.6). We are working hard on them and I hope to have an ETA sometime next week. At this point (other then reverting to 10.5) you are limited to third party options like VueScan. ($39)

Before I purchase VueScan, I thought I'd check-in: *When should we expect those ScanJet drivers?* Also, if anyone knows of a free option, I'd appreciate knowing about it.

And like everyone else, I appreciate that Andrew's "just trying to help," but I'd like to express my disappointment in Apple & HP for rendering my HP devices useless.

In fact, it'd be nice if future Apple OS upgrades included a pre-purchase preflight where the computer (or sexy Apple website) scans your devices (and AirPort configuration) for compatibility before you run out and install the new OS. I'm not a techie -- I wish I had known to check this forum prior to installing Apple Vista on my Mac.

PowerBook > HP ScanJet 8250
PowerBook > AirPort Express > HP 1012 printer

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6), HP ScanJet 8250

Posted on Sep 10, 2009 3:01 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 11, 2009 4:24 AM in response to Andy Boss

Have you checked Software Update for the updated HP drivers?

Just wondering if those will help.

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Answer 2

Sep 11, 2009 5:11 AM in response to Andy Boss

Be advised that based on what happened with Leopard and certain HP devices, which are still not supported for scanning on Leopard, you might have a long wait.

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Answer 3

Sep 11, 2009 5:16 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

The updated HP drivers appear to be for printing only. At least my old PSC1350 will now print from SL (previously it couldn't be detected at all) but it will not scan unless I use 3rd-party software such as VueScan. This is pretty much how things were with Leopard and is one reason why the PSC1350 was parked on a WinXP machine shortly after Leopard (and Vista) arrived. (No, it can't scan with Vista, either, or at least didn't scan when I was running tests. Everything works under XP and Tiger, but I no longer have any Macs running Tiger.)

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Answer 4

Sep 11, 2009 9:57 AM in response to Andy Boss

I was able to get my HP ScanJet 8200 working with HP Scan Pro 7.4.6:

1) Since the HP Scan Pro had stopped working I had deinstalled all of the HP s/w to await an official update.

2) I decided to chance installing the TWAIN SANE interface from here:

http://www.ellert.se/twain-sane/

3) The TWAIN SANE solution was a challenge with the various applications I tested so I decided to not pursue that option any further. Warning - There's no deinstall option for the TWAIN SANE software which means it's a file by file delete process (a pain). I decided to leave the files installed since I'm planning a clean install sometime later in the year.

4) Out of frustration I decided to reinstall the COL21563 HP install s/w for my 8200...

I have no idea why it now works, but my HP ScanJet 8200 now scans using HP Scan Pro 7.4.6 under Mac OS X 10.6. I "suspect" the TWAIN SANE install immediately prior to to the HP reinstall of COL21563 did the trick.

Warning! I'm just passing on what I've experienced so anything you do is at your own risk.

Leon McKee

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Answer 5

Andy Boss Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 12, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Andy Boss

My original question: When will HP will provide an update that will unbrick my ScanJet 8250?

I'm not a software engineer, but I don't understand why a janky shareware application that's probably written by one guy (VueScan) can already support my scanner (for $39). But HP can't make the thing work even though it's known about Snow Leopard for months.

Excuse the redundancy, but I want to know when HP will provide an update that will unbrick my ScanJet 8250. Does anyone know of someone at HP who might be able to provide an answer?

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Answer 6

Sep 12, 2009 3:44 PM in response to Andy Boss

I posted this in another thread, but since I'm trying to make sure everyone has the official answer [here|http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc= us&objectID=c01863616&jumpid=reg R1002USEN] is the official statement on ScanJet scanners. And I know that team is trying to pull the schedule in as much as possible, but can't commit to anything sooner then what is posted there.

Just trying to help.

Andrew

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Answer 7

Andy Boss Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 12, 2009 4:30 PM in response to HP Mac Architect

Andrew,

Thanks for letting me know that my scanner will be useless until December (honestly, it's good to know). I'd like to share an idea that I hope you'll consider passing along to the powers that be at HP.

It would be really, really great if HP could think outside of the box a bit and work with VueScan to license that software to HP customers whose devices have been bricked by HP's lack of commitment to Mac compatibility.

since upgrading to Mac 10.6, my HP VueScan 8250 sits on my desk with a pile of papers nearby that need to be scanned. I had similar experience with an HP multi-function device several years ago. These experiences are damaging my opinion of the HP brand severely.

Since HP has not committed the engineering resources it would take for true Mac compatibility with its products, I know that the gesture of providing an existing (and probably inexpensive) alternative to its customers would certainly be appreciated by the thousands of Mac users who have useless scanners with the HP logo emblazoned upon them.

Thanks for considering.

Andy

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Answer 8

Sep 12, 2009 4:49 PM in response to Andy Boss

Hear, hear!
My 8300 is useless, too. Indeed, it's become invisible to my Mac. (My ethernet LaserJet Multifunction prints and faxes just fine, but also seems unable to work as a scanner now.)

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Answer 9

Sep 12, 2009 4:56 PM in response to Steve Gabel

No one can use the ImageCapture program to scan with?

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Answer 10

Sep 12, 2009 5:37 PM in response to Donald Palmer

My iMac Core2 Duo cannot "see" the scanner, although it is plugged in by USB.

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Answer 11

Sep 12, 2009 6:02 PM in response to Donald Palmer

Donald,

Unfortunately we did not include In-OS Scan drivers for the stand alone scanners, so using Image Capture won't help. We'd like to offer them in the future, but that is more of an HP internal issue then anything else.

Just trying to help.

Andrew

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Answer 12

Sep 12, 2009 6:05 PM in response to Andy Boss

Andy,

I actually think that would be a great idea. I've recorded it, but I honestly don't think its going to happen, but you never know.

Just trying to help.

Andrew

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Answer 13

Andy Boss Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 12, 2009 6:12 PM in response to HP Mac Architect

Are there plans for " in-OS Scan drivers" for standalone scanners? Frankly, I'd rather have that than the HP software.

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Answer 14

Sep 12, 2009 7:45 PM in response to HP Mac Architect

My fault, did not notice that they were scanners only.

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Answer 15

Sep 15, 2009 7:00 AM in response to Andy Boss

Wow. I'm pretty upset. I rely on my hp scanjet 8270 to keep a "paperless" law office running--a pretty standard, modern scanner. Now I'm wasting a morning trying to reinstall an older version of my operating system because Apple/HP didn't anticipate people using their stand-alone scanners? I take back all the jokes I made about people going from Vista back to XP.

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