Anybody heard of Plustek Scanners?

[Guest]

I have had a Plustek OpticPro 600 for a few years now. Good quality, parallel port, very user friendly interface, OCR and PicturePublisher7 software (which I got used to it so badly). It was under $100 and I was so happy comparing the quality of my scans with other more expensive ones (hp & Canon for example).

But in Plustek web site, they say that they don't provide support for Windows XP for my old model and I can't install the CD under XP. Also Micographx (Picture Publisher) doesn't have a copy of version 7 so I can at least try it in compatibility mode. They want me to buy PP10. A friend told me to use Win2000 drivers but I even can't install the CD to add the drivers.

I really want to use my old scanner and software, there is nothing wrong with them. Any suggestions?

 

[Toejam31]

If you are not willing to upgrade, then I'd suggest dual-booting Win98SE and WinXP. Otherwise, it appears that without continuing support from the manufacturer, your only other option is to buy a new scanner with compatible software.

You are not the first person to find yourself in this position with an older external device.

Personally, I'd move on, and deal with a company that intends to offer support for a product as newer desktop operating systems are released, such as <A HREF="http://www.microtekusa.com/index.html" target="_new">Microtek</A>, <A HREF="http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/index.jsp" target="_new">Epson</A>, or <A HREF="http://consumer.usa.canon.com/scanners/index.html" target="_new">Canon</A>.

For example, I've got a Microtek ScanMaker 4 (which is an excellent scanner in all respects) that I've had for over four years, and I've used it in with three different operating systems. I appreciate this kind of support from a company that makes a quality product. I tend to abandon companies that sell a device and then refuse to support the product ... or the consumer.

I would suggest that you do the same.

Toejam31

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