I keep getting an error message lamp problem cannot initialize. Hap scanjet 3970. no help from hp. Bob Hall

Could the lamp be burnt out? If it is, the lamp is not replaceable in this unit.

I looked up the error on the hp.com site and could not find much about it except that there is mercury in the lamp and it works off of a CCD.

Only the following parts are available from hp.com:

HP Scanjet Scanners - HP Scanjet 3970 Digital Flatbed Scanner User Replaceable Parts and Accessories (EMEA) Introduction This document provides information on obtaining user replaceable parts and accessories for the HP Scanjet 3970 Digital Flatbed Scanner in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Parts Interface cable Part Number Part Description C8507-47300 Universal serial bus (USB) interface cable with ferrite - Type 'A' connector to type 'B' connector - 1.7m (5.7 ft) long C9930-80003 Universal serial bus (USB) interface cable (Black) - Type 'A' connector to type 'B' connector - 1.83m (6.0ft) long Power cord Part Number Part Description 8121-0731 Power cord (Black) - 18 AWG, three conductor, 1.9m (75in) long - Has straight (F) C13 receptacle (For 220V in Europe) 8120-6260 Power cord (Black) - 18 AWG, 1.0m (3.3ft) long - Has straight (F) receptacle - (For Saudi Arabia) 8120-6262 Power cord (Black) - 18 AWG 3-wire, 1.0m (3.3ft) - Has straight (F) receptacle - 240V Europe (except Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland) 8120-8881 Power cord (Black) - 17 AWG 3-wire, 1.0m (3.3ft) long - Has straight (F) receptacle (For 220V in Denmark) 8120-8882 Power cord (Black) - 17 AWG, 3-wire, 1.0m (3.3ft) long - Has straight (F) C13 receptacle (for 240VAC in the UK and Ireland) 8121-1003 Power cord (Black) - 17 AWG, 1.0m (3.3ft) long - Has straight (F) receptacle (For 220V in Israel) 8120-8885 Power cord (Black) - 17 AWG 3-wire, 1.0m (3.3ft) long - Has straight (F) receptacle (For 220V in Switzerland) 8120-8886 Power cord (Black) - 17 AWG 3-wire, 1.0m (3.3ft) long - Has straight (F) receptacle (for 240V in South Africa) Power module Part Number Part Description L1970-80003 AC power module (brick type) - 100-240V, 50/60Hz - EC Rohs/Energy Star, 15W - Requires a detachable power cord. TMA (Transparent Materials Adapter) Part Number Part Description Q3194-69001 Cover (document lid) - Includes TMA Q3852-69002 Template for photograph negatives - Used with the TMA Accessories Hub Part Number Part Description Q2707-61600 USB 1.0 hub kit - Includes hub, power supply module, and USB interface cable with Type 'A' connector to type 'B' connector, 1.5m (5.0ft) long - 100-240VAC (UK) Q2707-61601 USB 1.0 hub kit - Includes hub, power supply module, and USB interface cable with Type 'A' connector to type 'B' connector, 1.5m (5.0ft) long - 100-240VAC (Europe) To buy any of these user replaceable parts and accessories, click on the how to buy link at the top of the page.
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I guess you know that this is a Mechanical problem, it simply means the lamp which scans the document is not working properly. It's the bar like unit emitting very bright light which moves to and fro just below the scanner's glass.

There are three basic possibilities with this error.

1. The Lamp itself.
2. The Flex Cable which connects the Lamp with the Board (motherbaord of the printer)
3. The connectors and the board itself

First, open it apart the check the scanner and remove the Lamp, now reconnect it after cleaning the connectors, contact points and the interfaces with cotton dipped in alcohol or spirit or acetone. Place it properly on it's position and power on the printer, check whether the error is still displaying or not. No positive outcome? Then switch off the machine and disconnect it, check the continuity of the flex cable, if it's alright and you see no continuity problem, then the problem is with the lamp or with the board or connectors, during this situation, you'll need another spare to check the issues so that you can find out the problem.

If there's continuity problem and you find it fault, replacing the cable will fix the problem.

On the other hand for connectors, you need to do it very carefully and look every connector points with great effort if you can see any bent or twisted among them, if you are sure that there's nothing to do with it, the the problem must be from the Board which is not as easy as we think could be repaired. You can replace it, while there a problem, we can't find the spare, and so it will be difficult but you could possibly get the one from a Repairing shop or Servicing Center.

*Warning*: If you know how to do all these things, just go ahead or else, please take it to a Service Center or call a Tech and get it repaired. Without proper knowledge, you may damage it if in case it could be easily fixable.

I wish you Good Luck.

Thanks for using FixYa.