Can't install scanner driver

[leafdesigner]

I just bought a new Epson V500 scanner. When you plug in the scanner (via USB, directly to the computer), Windows recognizes the device, but always has to search for the driver. After finding the driver it attempts to install it and every time I get the following message: "Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device. Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it. The system cannot find the file specified."

I spent 2 hours with Epson technical support on this (they even moved me to level 2 tech support), and we tried everything from a fresh install of the software to registry edits, to trying to download the driver from their site. Nothing worked. It didn't matter where the driver came from, be it from the installation disc or their site, we always encountered the same message. So they basically passed the buck saying it was likely an OS issue. So that brings me here. If anyone has any insight as to why I can't install a simple scanner driver, I'd appreciate it.

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit, SP 2
(and yes, we made sure we had the correct driver for this system).

 

[Yard Dog]

Hello, in your Device Manager , do you see any issues there ? Like yellow caution icons ? My thoughts are maybe your usb hubs may have issues. So, can you check those out please.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Will your scanner work on your friends computer?
Or take it to where you purchased it from and have them test it there or find another scanner.

Don't give up!
THW

 

[leafdesigner]

Thanks to those who responded.

Yard Dog: yes, we looked in the Device Manager and there was a caution, but only on the scanner. Switching USB ports made no difference, however. There were no cautions on any other devices, and I've never had troubles running any other devices on any of the USB ports.

Howling Wolves: I purchased it from Amazon, so I can't have them try it. I could try installing it on my laptop, but I really need this scanner at my workstation.

 

[Yard Dog]

Yeah, sounds like a bad scanner.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Thanks to those who responded.

Yard Dog: yes, we looked in the Device Manager and there was a caution, but only on the scanner. Switching USB ports made no difference, however. There were no cautions on any other devices, and I've never had troubles running any other devices on any of the USB ports.

Howling Wolves: I purchased it from Amazon, so I can't have them try it. I could try installing it on my laptop, but I really need this scanner at my workstation.

Leaf,
You are just doing this to test it!
That way you can narrow the problem down to the scanner or driver.
THW

 

[leafdesigner]

THW
Yes, I will probably try that. It's probably not the driver because I tried both the downloaded one from Epson and the one from installation disc. If it ends up working on my laptop then that probably means that there is something about my workstation's system that is not working with the driver. So although it would eliminate the driver and scanner as suspects, it would just be a formality as I suspect both are okay.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Leaf,
Keep us posted and if you find the answer post back as it may help others in the future.
Have a great week.
THW

 

[leafdesigner]

I'll post the results of my test with the laptop.

Thanks for the replies. If anyone else out there has any other idea, please let me know.

 

[townsbg]

Did you read the directions? Sometimes you install the driver before plugging in the device.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

One last ditch effort..............I never quit..
Have you tried disconnecting and unplugging the scanner/ re-booting/ then once computer is running plug your scanner then attach the USB cable in.
Then let Windows Seven detect something is being added and I better check it out.

Like I said ......Let's try everything as I had to do it with my all in one Canon.
THW

 

[leafdesigner]

Did you read the directions? Sometimes you install the driver before plugging in the device.

I followed the installation instructions that came with the scanner to the letter. That included installing all the software prior to connecting the scanner and turning it on.

 

[leafdesigner]

One last ditch effort..............I never quit..
Have you tried disconnecting and unplugging the scanner/ re-booting/ then once computer is running plug your scanner then attach the USB cable in.
Then let Windows Seven detect something is being added and I better check it out.

Like I said ......Let's try everything as I had to do it with my all in one Canon.
THW

Yep, I tried that. Thanks for suggesting it, though.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Did your scanner work with your laptop and does laptop have same OS as desktop?

 

[leafdesigner]

THW- Haven't had a chance to try the laptop yet. I'll let you know. Thanks for your interest and concern.

On a side note, I was researching this problem on the internet and came across a guy who had pretty much the same issue with the same scanner. He also has the identical HP computer and processor. Coincidence?

 

[The Howling Wolves]

THW- Haven't had a chance to try the laptop yet. I'll let you know. Thanks for your interest and concern.

On a side note, I was researching this problem on the internet and came across a guy who had pretty much the same issue with the same scanner. He also has the identical HP computer and processor. Coincidence?

What did or is he doing to rectify the situation?

Not being familiar with where you purchased it (Amazon) what is their return policy?
Have a great week Leaf!
Please keep me posted.
THW

 

[leafdesigner]

THW-


What did or is he doing to rectify the situation?

Not being familiar with where you purchased it (Amazon) what is their return policy?
Have a great week Leaf!
Please keep me posted.
THW

From what I could tell, he didn't find a solution (at least he didn't post one). Not a good sign. I can easily return the scanner, but I'd prefer not to if I can help it. My second choice for a scanner costs $50 more than this one and it will take several weeks for the return to process and for me to be reimbursed.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

1. Have you gone into Start/Devices and Printers/Right click on scanner/and click on troubleshoot?

2. Using Revo Uninstaller/ completely remove scanner and software. Making sure nothing shows up in Devices and Printers and anywhere else.

3. Then start all over without adding software(yet) and then reboot then plug in USB cable to your desktop and see if it will find it without adding in the Device and Printer area.

As you can tell.........where there is a will ........there is a way.
Maybe we are just overlooking something right in front of us.
THW

 

[leafdesigner]

1. Have you gone into Start/Devices and Printers/Right click on scanner/and click on troubleshoot?

2. Using Revo Uninstaller/ completely remove scanner and software. Making sure nothing shows up in Devices and Printers and anywhere else.

3. Then start all over without adding software(yet) and then reboot then plug in USB cable to your desktop and see if it will find it without adding in the Device and Printer area.

As you can tell.........where there is a will ........there is a way.
Maybe we are just overlooking something right in front of us.
THW

I have tried the first thing you suggested. As for removing the software, I hesitate to do that because it was a bugger to install in the first place. It took several attempts to get it to install. With the first few attempts, it never finished and I had to start over. Perhaps my system, for whatever reason, just doesn't like Epson!

 

[townsbg]

The specs do not list Vista 64-bit as a supported OS so perhaps they have trouble with it on 64-bit. Oddly enough it is supported on XP 64-bit which is more problematic than Vista 64 bit, at least in terms of device compatibility. None the less Vista 64 bit isn't listed so I would contact Epson.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/...ku=B11B189011&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes