I've tried both solutions, but have been met with limited success. (Windows 8 x64 + 1660 Photo Scanner).
1) Downloaded the "unofficial" driver file -
Epson1660_Vista_x64_v1.zip
Ran the Setup.exe file, which (apparently) installed the "Epson Scan" program, but upon running it, wouldn't recognize the scanner. (Turns out it didn't install the drivers for the scanner). So I did this by going to the device manager, saying I had a disk and pointing the to the download folder. The driver will not install. I get the following message when pointing to the "es25.inf" file:
"Windows found driver software for your device, but encountered an error while attempting to install it. EPSON Perfection 1660. The hash for the file is not present in the specified catalog file. The file is likely corrupt or the victim of tampering."
2) I also installed the drivers for the Expression 1680 Professional Scanner. I was able to download and install the drivers without too much difficulty. The updated Epson scan program worked and I was able to obtain a flatbed scan.
However, the Epson 1680 has a completely different physical interface for scanning film and transparency media (whole top lid is lit up and the plastic "positioners" cover the entire bed, whereas the 1660 Photo has only a center-strip lit up and different "positioners").
So, while gaining the ability for flatbed scanning, I'll be losing the option for transparency and film scanning (which was why I purchased the scanner in the first place).
Conclusion:
With respect to windows 8 x64, it doesn't look like the "unofficial" scanner driver works at all and the 1680, while it works fine for flatbed scanning, isn't a solution for those seeking scans of negatives or transparencies.
I've not found any other (free) options on the 'net. Not even looked at the (paid) option mentioned on the Epson product website, though I think it was on offer for around $50.
:sa: Tad miffed that Epson, which I would figure is a reputable company, doesn't continue to support their products in a 64-bit world, especially that 64-bit has been around since XP days. Shame on them.
Not sure the path forward. Not keen on paying an additional $50 just to retain capabilities that (a) I don't often use and (b) not been completely satisfied with, in terms of quality. (Might be more worth my while to investigate a camera-based solution to "scanning" old transparencies ... and just use option (2) above to solve 95% of my scanning needs).
Anyway ... like a few, I signed up for this forum to post this one drive-by thread.
Cheers,
-Scott
Randsco