For about two years now, I have been hav...

For about two years now, I have been having a critical problem with an HP Scanjet 4570C document scanner:
The HP Director application software (Hpqdirec.exe) starts to load then fails with a Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library message box which says: ''Runtime Error! Program: C:Program FilesHewlett-PackardDigital ImaginginHpqdirec.exe This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information.''

Get the failure if I go to the path
C:Program FilesHewlett-PackardDigital Imagingin
in Windows Explorer and double click on that file's icon to try to load the program. Likewise, right clicking on the icon and selecting ''Run as...'' then either trying to run as myself (I am the administrator) or as the administrator, still results in failure to load.

I have uninstalled/reinstalled the software but failure still occurs. A Base Unit Self Test was successfully performed.

I have uninstalled the entire HP Scanjet software package, then reinstalled it from the CD. Same result for either the original Ver 1.5 or Ver 2.0. Makes no difference. Also, whether or not the scanner is on and/or connected (USB port) is immaterial until one needs to actually scan something. Without the umbrella HpDirector program operating, have no control of the hardware.

Am running WinXP Professional, Ver 5.1.2600 Svc Pk 3 Build 2600.

As expected, HP has been deviously uncommunicative about discussing this problem.

Thanks.