Upgrade 2: Installing a Scanner

Upgrade #2: Installing a Scanner

A scanner is useful if you want to convert your old photo prints to digital format. They're also good if you want to store your printed documents electronically. And they're cheap; you can get a decent scanner for around $100 $150.

Different Types of Scanners

A scanner works pretty much like a photocopier, but with the final result being a digital computer file, not a printed copy. The computer file actually contains a digital image of whatever you scanned; with some scanners, you have the option of extracting text information via optical character recognition (OCR) software.

There are two primary types of scanners available for home and small business use. The most popular type is the flatbed scanner. This type of scanner is great for scanning papers, photos, books, and anything else you can lay flat between the scanner's glass bed and its top cover. The image is scanned via a scan head that moves across the face of the original document. Most flatbed scanners scan in color.

The other type of scanner is the sheet-fed model. These work just like flatbed scanners, except the scan head is fixed and the original document moves across the head. Sheet-fed scanners are limited to scanning flat pieces of paper and most scan in black and white only. (However, if they're part of an all-in-one printer/scanner machine, the scans are probably in color.) Their big selling point is that they take up less desk space than the larger flatbed models.

Shopping for Scanners

If you're looking to add a scanner to your computer system, look for models from these manufacturers:

• Epson (www.epson.com)

• Hewlett-Packard (www.hp.com)

• Microtek (www.microtekusa.com)

• Visioneer (www.visioneer.com)

Making the Connection

Scanners typically connect to your computer via the parallel or USB port. Some higher-end scanners (such as drum models) connect via SCSI. Look for a USB model for the easiest connection.

note

If you buy a scanner with a parallel interface, you might have to connect your printer and your scanner to the same port on your PC; in this instance, the units connect in a series to the single port, and you can only use one device at a time.

Here's how you connect a scanner to your PC:

1. If your scanner came with a "lock" to keep the moving parts from getting damaged during shipping, unscrew or undo the lock.

2. Connect the scanner to a power source and turn it on.

3. If you're connecting to a parallel port, close Windows and power down your PC. If you're connecting to a USB port, skip this step and leave your PC running.

4. If your scanner will share a parallel port with your printer, power off your printer and connect (in order) the printer to the scanner to the PC, as directed in the scanner's instructions. If your printer connects directly to your PC, connect it now.

5. If you connected to the parallel port, power up your PC. (Naturally, if you connected to a USB port, skip this step.)

6. Windows should automatically recognize your new scanner and attempt to install the appropriate driver; you might need to insert your scanner's installation disk at this point. Now is also the time to run any installation program that came with your scanner.

If Windows, for any reason, doesn't automatically recognize your new scanner, you can use the Scanners and Cameras Wizard to add the device to your system. To launch the wizard, open the Control Panel and select Printers and Other Hardware, and then Scanners and Cameras; when the Scanners and Cameras window opens, select the Add Imaging Device option from the Imaging Tasks pane. Follow the onscreen instructions to choose your scanner brand and model, and then install the appropriate drivers.

caution

Some high-end scanners might require a manual calibration on installation. This is typically done by scanning a special shaded card that comes with the scanner, and then configuring various settings on the scanner's software control panel. This calibration is important if you need good color accuracy for your scans.

THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM

Connecting a printer or scanner is a relatively easy task. Just remember these key points:

• Printers are available in a variety of flavors and colors; choose a black and white laser for heavy business use, or a color inkjet for home projects.

• Photo printers use inkjet technology to print on special photo print paper.

• Printers typically connect to a parallel or USB port.

• The most popular types of scanners are flatbed or sheet-fed.

• The easiest connection for your scanner is via the USB port; if you choose a scanner with a parallel interface, it might have to share the same port with your printer.