Hi! I have problem with my old UMAX Astra scanner (parallel port, vistascan v3.10) Why Windows 7 can't find drivers for this scanner?

I tried to resurrect my Astra 1220P scanner to work with my WinXP Home machine. I began by calling UMAX, they told me I needed XP drivers and suggested that I purchase the VistaScan 3.55 driver CD for $18.00. They also told me to get a Parallel to USB Adapter Cable, which I purchased from Radio Shack. When the CD arrived, I went to work installing the cable & loading the drivers to no avail. The scanner does not appear in the Device Manager list under image devices or other devices, In fact, it is not anywhere in the list.
Of course the scanner does not work. I called them back and asked for assistance, they told me they could not guarantee operation of the unit using a Parallel to USB Adapter Cable...and sorry, we cannot refund the cost of the driver CD. Isn't that special - I was so looking forward to scanning some slides and film because I had previously purchased a Transparency Adapter.
Now I begin my search for a new scanner that will work with transparencies.
Anyone have a suggestion?

Sir try to check this link hope this may help http://www.nodevice.com/search/search.html?text=vistascan+3600&search_area=all good day and best regards.

To install driver for Umax Astra 4400/4450 on Windows 7 you need to do the following.
1. Install VueScan from http://www.hamrick.com/ - It is only need it for C:\VueScan\scanner.inf with list of drivers
2. Manually install driver from Umax Astra 3400 - You can follow these instructions to install driver manuallyhttp://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixt [...] dows-7.htm
3. Install Umax Astra 4400/4450 software (VistaScan) for Windows XP - Can be found at http://www.umax.com/download/index.jsp
4. Reboot
5. Now you can scan using VistaScan (C:\VistaScan\Vista32.exe), but only the with flatbed option.

This solution is from Russian forum: http://forum.ixbt.com/topic.cgi?id=13:42660#7.

Maybe, It doesn't work because the driver you installed is for other versions of operating system. I am also using windows 7 like you so don't you worry, You can still use your old installer/driver from other versions of operating systems. Just remember that before installing any program in a windows 7 Operating System Computer, Use "troubleshoot compatibility". Right Click the Icon of your program installer first, then choose "troubleshoot compatibility". This will allow you to choose on what type operating system your program will run. Just reply back if it still doesn't work.:D

Try downloading from the link below:

Download VistaScan Astra 3600

dowload vistascan vs375u (11,674KB) and open it you will receive 6 disks+1 disk german and 1 disk english. open the disk 1 and double click VSSETUP you will see a lot of DOS commands and at the end you will have VISTASCAN in the Programs Files ( Start--All Programs--VistaScan--enter) .
If Scanner test works O.K.
if not
- go to MyComputer right click,
- click hardware,
-click device manager,
-right click the UMAX Astra
-click update driver
-click "install from a specific location" Next "Don't search I will chose the driver to install"-- Next -- choose USB scanner (Not UMAX Astra 3400) --Next--
- you will receive a warning " continue anyway" finish
- Reboot.
open VISTASCAN Test it will pass now
good luck
jacques

i have an astraslim scanner (umax vistaScan version 2.40)  and i have no drivers compatible with windows XP please where can i find the drivers and tahnx in advance.

hi sir
i think i must try it in windows xp.

The 1220P (P = Parallel) does not have a USB port and Windows XP does not support it.

I believe that the HP 3200C is a very similar scanner, and the
HP parallel driver will work, try the following links:

http://www.softwarepatch.com/utilities/hp-3200c.html
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&softwareitem=sj-1436-3&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN


I think you will find that the old UMAX scanner is extremely
slow over the parallel port, and the image quality is nowhere
nearly as good as modern USB-2 scanners.

USB-2 is orders of magnitude faster than the parallel port,
and a really good scanner costs around $60 these days.

You may want to try the Canon LiDE 80: It scans pictures
and film, it's good, it's fast, it's dirt cheap and I love it.

Martin