[jsearl]

My Umax 1220U scanner (attached to RevB iMac, OS9) has just started producing color scans with ugly top-to-bottom green /yellow banding down the right hand side.

Reistalling the drivers doesn't help.

Is this a hardware problem?

Can anyone suggest what to do? If it is a hardware problem is it wrth repairing or junking the £100 box?

Thanks in advance!

James

[Don Foy]

I'd check the light bulb before I did anything else.

Also, does it do this when you scan to a program and to a file or just to one of those?

What about TIFF or JPEG?

I have the exact same setup running flawlessly.

I had the exact same problem with the Umax 610s. I finally gave up on it and bought a new scanner. It seems Umax scanners don't have as long a lifespan as we'd expect.

I have had a similar problem in the past. I have a transparency adapter with my scanner(1200s), and I switched the 2 plugs causing the banding.

We would occasionally get the same effect on our Umax Powerlook II when we let the scanned artwork cover the calibration window on the leading edge of the scanner. If the artwork size required that it cover the window, we would mask if off with a clean sheet of white paper. I don't know if your scanner is set up like ours, but it's worth a look.

So does mine... I've found it has something to do with the lightbulb not shutting off... or the circuitry that controls the lightbulb. Unplug the scanner when not in use, and plug it in only when you need it.

If you are scanning bulk images, I suggest you don't delay between image scans, and unplug after a few. Process the images you have acquired while your scanner "cools down" and plug it in and continue scanning when you're ready.

Being a hardware problem, UMAX would have to recall the scanners... At $129 retail, I'd go get a different scanner, maybe even a different brand.

I have the EXACT same problem. UMAX are you listening??? Do the stand up thing and recall this product!

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Having sugery? check out www.singleuse.com BEFORE you do!

[wlonh]

well i have an old SCSI umax astra 610 and i use MagicScan NOT VistaScan... yes yes it is not a supported software package for the 610 but it works, never has given me trouble at all... and it is maybe 4 years old

i do not know if it will work with the USB models... it seems a compatiblity question came up elsewhere on the forums and i can't recall whether the MagicScan softw is compat with the 1220U...

[dbergstrom]

We have a UMAX 1220S and it has produced white vertical bands for two years now. UMAX suggested that one way to fix this problem is to remove a file from the system folder: in the System folder, the first file will be labeled UMAX_VS_Preview" or something to that degree. It is a preferences type file and contains the preview image of your scan. Throw it away - like all preferences-type folders, it will replace itself. Even though it behaves like a preference, it is not in the preferences folder! This remedy provides limited success whenever you get banding.

As for your L100 investment - it would have been better spent on some pints for you and your pals. UMAX scanners suck eggs! I have purchased a cheapo Microtek USB scanner for home and my boss bought an Epson USB scanner for his new iMac. We both are very pleased with our scanner choices. Unfortunately, we have the UMAX with a transparency adapter for work and we probably won't replace it until we get one of those mythical MP G4s.

When we do replace it, we will BUY ANYTHING BUT A UMAX!

I have had "yellow streak" problems with my Umax 1200u scanner, which I only solved by taking it apart, and cleaning the underside of the glass and the mirror system which directs the scanned image toward the sensor. You only need remove the cover, and the two screws at the top of the scanner. Then pick up the glass assembly at the top and swivel it towards you and it should come right off. Then just pivot the scanning mechanism up and to the left, and you should be able to see the three mirrors. This takes about ten minutes and might well be worth the try if you plan on junking it otherwise.

Just curious, is this a 1220 problem or all Umax models? I have a 2100U, but have not had it long enough to really start causing any problems!

I own a UMAX 2400s and have never been even remotely happy with it's scanning abilities. While the 2400s is certainly not a high-end scanner, I wouldn't expect my friends $60 generic scanner to outperform it....but it does....significantly. I get banding, really bad banding, and in my opinion completely inaccurate color.

I have the exact same problem with UMAX Astra 2000U. I would be happy to know if anyone come up with a solution.

The first 1220U that I bought did exactly the same (coloured banding). I took it back to the apple store and they replaced it on the spot as soon as I told them what it was doing. I imagined they would at least hook it up and test it but they didn't. This made me feel a little uneasy about getting another. The one I have now (same model) is a great scanner. I have several scanners at the university I attend, Microtecs and Agfa mostly, but I find mine gives me much better scans first time, than the others. Possibly because I am familiar with getting the best tweak out of this one, but regardless, I think the scan quality is a little better than scanners simmilarly priced.