Please take a moment to read the information in this file. Many last minute changes which did not make it to the manual are listed here. Also, a number of the most common installation questions and scanning questions are listed here as well. For future updates and compatibility information, please call Microtek sales at 800-654-4160. This file contains information about the following:
If Photoshop is running, quit from Photoshop. Locate the Photoshop folder. In the Photoshop folder you will find a folder called ﾒPlug-Insﾓ Drag the ScanMaker Plug-In file on top of this folder. The file will now copy into the folder.
If you are using Photoshop 2.01:
This version of Photoshop assumes that the plug-ins are located in the same folder as the PS Prefs file. Find the PS Prefs file and copy the ScanMaker Plug-In into the folder holding the PS Prefs file. This folder is usually either the Photoshop folder or the Photoshop Plug-Ins folder.
･ ScanMaker Plug-In not available from Acquire submenu.
If the ScanMaker Plug-In is not available from the Acquire option in Adobe PhotoShop 2.0/2.01, make sure that the ScanMaker Plug-In icon from the Microtek Scanning Modules diskette is in the folder that contains the file PS Prefs (usually called the PhotoShop Plug-Ins). PS Prefs must be in the same folder as the ScanMaker Plug-In for Adobe Photoshop 2.0/2.01 to find it.
With PhotoShop 3.0.1/2.5.1, the PS Prefs file no longer exists. Just make sure the plug-in is the same folder as the other PhotoShop plug-in modules.
･ Acquire is gray in Photoshop
If you have Photoshop 3.0.1/2.5.1/2.5, do the following:
1) Start Photoshop. Go to the File menu and select Preferences, then select Plug-Insﾉ
2) Find the Photoshop folder. You should have a folder called ﾒPlug-Insﾓ. Click on it once. Then click on the button labeled: ﾒSelect ﾔPlug-Insﾕﾓ.
3) Go to File then select Quit. Restart Adobe Photoshop.
If you have Photoshop 2.01, do the following:
1) Find the Photoshop Preferences file and delete it. The default name of the file is ﾔPS PREFSﾕ.
2) Start Photoshop. You will get a dialog asking ﾒWhere is the Prefs Fileﾓ. Click on New. Move to the ﾒPhotoShop Plug-Insﾓ folder then click on Save.
If you still have a gray Acquire command, consult your Photoshop documentation or call Adobe Technical Support at 408 986-6500.
･ No model in the ScanMaker Plug-In
Make sure the scanner is on and that the ready light and the power lights are on. The lamp in the scanner should also be on.
There seems to be a conflict between DAL system extension file, Printer Control utility from Pacific Data and Microtek ScanMaker Plug-in Module. To overcome this problem, take DAL out of the Extensions Folder and restart your computer.
･ Microtek scanners are not SCSI-2 devices. Attempting to use a Microtek scanner on a 3rd party SCSI-2 card may cause crashes or data loss.
･ Some system accelerators may cause crashes during use of the DAs or plug-in.
･ Daystar Digital's QuadraCache will not work with the ScanMaker plug-in unless the cache size in the Quadcontrol is reduced to ﾒMinimumﾓ.
･ Error message -108
Error -108 means your system is running out of memory. This may happen if you do not have enought memory allocated to PhotoShop. Also, if you have scanned several images or performed some memory intensive operations in PhotoShop, PhotoShop's memory may be too fragmented for the Plug-In to run. Exit from PhotoShop and restart PhotoShop.
･ Error message, "Can't communicate with scanner. You may need to change the lamp"
This error message usually pops up when the scanning lamp gets old or does not come on any more. Change the scanning lamp and try again. More lamps may be purchased from Microtek. If the lamp is not coming on in a ScanMaker II, IIXE, IIG, IISP, IIHR, or III you may have a hardware problem and need to get a repair authorization number to send the scanner in for service. Call Microtek Tech Suppport at 310-297-5100.
Also check the length of your SCSI cables. We do not recommend that SCSI cables longer than 3 feet (1 meter) be used. Longer cables may work on slower Macs, but tend to be unstable in the long run. Whatever length cables you use, the cables should be double shielded.
･ Error message, "Driver ID Conflicts ($FFEB)"
You may get this if the ScanMaker Plug-In module has become corrupted. Delete the Plug-In from the Plug-In folder and reinstall a fresh copy from the original disk. Also, an extension conflict under System 7.5 may cause this error message. If you are using some other program **other than PhotoShop**, this may be due to a compatibility issue between the ScanMaker Plug-In and the application.
･ Crash or lock up in plug-in.
This may be due to an extension conflict. If you are using System 7 or greater, restart with the Shift key held down until you see "Welcome to Macintosh. Extensions Off" then try scanning. If you can now scan successfully, one (or more) of your extensions or control panel documents may be the cause. Remove an extension or control panel item and restart. Try scanning. If you still have a problem, continue removing extension or control panel files until you can find the incompatible item.
Some known incompatibilities:
System 7.1 has a known bug that may affect the plug-in or the DAs. Extensions and Control Panels that dynamically modify the System file (like Suitcase or Super ATM) causes memory corruption that will crash your Mac during a scan/prescan. Apple has released a patch called "Hardware System Updater". It is available for download or from Apple dealers. The current version as of this date is 3.0.
Connectix had released their own patch called "Enabler Patch", they recommend that you use Apple's Hardware System Updater instead of the Enabler Patch.
Norton Disklight - All versions may cause crashes during scans. Remove from Extensions folder.
CP Drivelight - May cause same problems as Disklight. Remove from Control Panel folder.
Norton FileSaver - May cause corruption of the ScanMaker.Settings/ScanMaker.Pre for the plug-in. Remove from the Control Panels folder if you have problems scanning. NOTE: You may have the same problem with CP Mirror Control Panel.
Suitcase - Current version as of this date is 2.1.4. If you have an older version, please contact Symantec for an upgrade. Older versions of Suitcase caused a problem under System 7.1.
Type Reunion - Make sure it is the currrent version. Older versions (1.0, 1.01, 1.02) are known to cause crashes during scans. You may need to remove Type Reunion to truly stabilize your system.
Adobe Type Manager - Current version is 3.8.1. If you have an older version, contact Adobe for an upgrade.
Radiusware - This control panel has an option that enlarges the font used in menus and makes menus tearable. Disable these options.
Serial Port Arbitrator - This extension is included with Apple Remote Access (ARA). It may cause crashes or lock up while scanning with the plug-in. Remove this file from the Extensions folder. This file is not required to use ARA, its purpose is to lock the serial port while an ARA session is running, so other software (like Fax software) does not interrupt the modem connection.
The following is a list of known problems with the current version (2/13/95 release) of the Scanning Modules diskette.
･･･ ScanMaker Plug-In v2.14 notes ･･･
This version of the ScanMaker Plug-In no longer supports the following scanner models:
MS-II, MSF-300G, MSF-300Z/ZS, ScanMaker 600G/GS, ScanMaker 600Z/ZS, or 1850S. Version 2.0.9R2 of the ScanMaker Plug-In is the last version to support these models.
With PhotoShop 2.5 or greater, the plug-in does not go in the same folder as the PhotoShop preferences file. Put the plug-in in the Plug-Ins folder located in the PhotoShop folder.
With PhotoShop 3.0.1, do not allocate less than 7168K to PhotoShop on a regular Mac like a IICI or a Quadra. You will get the -108 error message. On a Power Macintosh, the minimum size is 13555K if virtual memory is turned off. If you turn on virtual memory on a Power Macintosh, the minimum is 7168K. Microtek recommends setting PhotoShop 3.0.1 to 10 Megabytes on a regular Mac and 16 Megabytes on a Power Mac.
In Line Art and Halftone mode only, changes in the Brightness and Contrast controls do□□□□ not appear in the prescanned image in the scanner display. However, the final scan is correct.
The Prescanned image in line art mode is not very clear, especially when zoomed in.
The dimensions of scanned images reported by the height and width status indicators do not match exactly with the dimensions reported by the Adobe Photoshop Image Size command. They can differ by as much as .05 inches, or .127 centimeters.
Streamline 3.01 and the ScanMaker Plug-In: Streamline and the ScanMaker Plug-In are not completely compatible. You will need to allocate more RAM to Streamline for the Plug-In to operate properly. Allocate at least 8 Megabytes to Streamline. If you wish to scan in Grayscale or Color, you may need to allocate even more memory. Due to the differences in the way Streamline and PhotoShop allocates memory, you will not be able to scan as large of an image with Streamline.
The following information is relevent only to the 'Streamline' style TMA.
This style of Transparency Media Adapter is available for the following scanners: ScanMaker II/IIxe, ScanMaker IISP, ScanMaker IIHR, and ScanMaker III. The kits are **not** interchangable between the different scanners! If you received a kit for the wrong model scanner, exchange it for the proper version with your dealer.
NOTE: In order to use the TMA with a ScanMaker II/IIxe the scanner must have a serial number greater than: S2B5720701. This style of TMA is only compatible with ScanMaker II/IIxe scanners installed with version 5.61 or greater of the U17 firmware chip.
NOTE: In order to use the TMA with a ScanMaker IISP, an external power supply in necessary. If you ordered the IISP version of the TMA kit, you should have received the power supply with the TMA.
The TMA calibrates at the front of the scanner. When you turn the scanner on, or when you plan to do a transparency scan, make sure that only the transparency template is in the scanner and that you have the lid closed. **If something blocks the calibration area, the scanner will not come to ready!**
The maximum resolution of the TMA is dependant on the scanner model. With the ScanMaker II/IIxe and IISP the maximum resolution is 1200DPI at 100%. The TMA is limited to 2400DPI at 100% on a ScanMaker IIHR or III.
Do not use the gray scale prescan option for color scans. This will cause problems scanning in color negatives.
There is an option called ﾒAuto Contrast Controlﾓ in the ScanMaker Plug-In. Turn this option on when scanning from the 35t; this is option is highly optimized for the 35t and is usually all that is needed to create rich saturated scans. If your scans look extremely dark, you probably do not have this option enabled.
The ScanMaker IISP and IIG are compatible with the ADF600. However, a special 3 prong external power supply must be connected to the scanner. The external power supply will be supplied with the ADF600 kit for the IISP/IIG. If the ADF600 kit you received does not have this power supply, you probably received the wrong kit.
The ScanMaker IISP is compatible with the 'Streamline' Transparent Media Adapter (TMA). The older 'Square' TMA is not compatible(S/N format ###88#####). An external power supply (identical to the type used for the ADF600) is required to use the TMA.
Because the CCD element used in the ScanMaker IIHR is a very high resolution device, it is very important that the original and the glass on the scanner are both clean. Due to the high resolution of the scanner, dust and other particles on the original may appear in the scanned image. If you need to clean the glass, use a moistened lint free cloth. Do not use glass cleaner to clean the bed as this can leave residue on the glass, use rubbing alcohol instead. Do not pour any cleaning liquid directly on the glass! Apply the liquid to a cloth, then clean the glass.
Currently, image editing programs that implement support for the Adobe PhotoShop Plug-In architecture will support the scanner.
OmniPage Direct 2.0 and OmniPage Pro 5.0 supports the IIHR. Textbridge 2.02 also supports the IIHR. These programs use a driver called ﾒMicrotek IIHR & IIIﾓ, which is selectable from the Chooser. If you do not have this driver, contact Caere (OmniPage products) or Xerox Imaging Systems (Textbridge) to obtain it.
Scan at the resolution of the output device. For example, if you have a 600dpi laser printer, you would scan at 600dpi. Some people claim that if you scan at twice the resolution and scale down when you print, a clean print occurs. We have not seen this to be the case. It may be possible that this only works with certain application and printer combinations.
Gray scale/Color:
If you are printing to a black & white printer (Apple LaserWriter IINTX for example), you need to scan at a lower resolution than the printer.
Scan at twice the linescreen of the printer or refer to the following chart:
300dpi -- Scan at 80dpi to 110dpi
600dpi -- Scan at 100dpi to 150dpi
1200dpi -- Scan at 200dpi to 300 dpi
Scanning at the lower range is best if you wish to emphasize levels of gray over detail. Scan at higher dpi if you wish to emphasize detail instead.
If you have a continuous tone color printer (i.e. dye sublimation or Iris ink jet), scan at the resolution of the printer. With other color printers (like a HP550C) try scanning at roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the resolution of the printer.
THESE RESOLUTIONS ARE ONLY APPROXIMATIONS! On some printers they may provide unsatisfactory results. Consult your printer documentation or contact the printer manufacturer for the optimal scanning resolution for print.
BLOTCHY PATTERNS OR ARTIFACTS IN GRAYSCALE OR COLOR:
These artifacts happen if you scan printed or half-tone images (like a picture from a magazine). These artifacts will not happen if you scan a photograph (i.e. flip the image over and look for the ﾒKodakﾓ watermark on the back).
GRAINY OR PATTERNED COLOR IMAGES ON SCREEN:
All color scans are done in 24 bits of data. Unless your monitor is set to 24 bits (millions of colors), the image you see on screen will be dithered to approximate the true colors. The dithering will create the graininess or the patterned look. You can check the color level by going to the Apple menu and selecting Control Panels, then select Monitors. If you have a 24-bit card, the maximum color level will be ﾒMillionsﾓ, ﾒThousandsﾓ for 16-bit color, and ﾒ256ﾓ for 8-bit color.
