# Computer/Scanner problem. Help!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-scanner-problem-help/92526>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 9, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-scanner-problem-help/92526 "2001-11-09T22:42:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![warmgun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-scanner-problem-help/92526/1 "2001-11-09T22:42:11Z")

</div>

I have a Mac G4 with a Microtek Scanmaker4. All was working fine - nothing changed - then it quit working.  
I have the software, that’s not the problem. I’ve always had to turn my scanner on before my computer. But now, if I turn on the scanner first the computer won’t boot up all the way. If I turn on the computer first then turn on the scanner the screen ‘freezes’ (until I turn the scanner off).  
The tech support is having a hard time helping because I can’t run both at the same time.  
I’ve checked and re-checked the connections.  
I am not a computer person, so any suggestion no matter how obvious might help.  
I know it hard to do these things without actually seeing them, but I thought I’d ask before I spent any $$$.  
Thank you in advance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chubbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Chubbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chubbs)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-scanner-problem-help/92526/2 "2001-11-09T22:44:46Z")

</div>

then start from scratch. That works for me 9 out of 10 times. I like to call them “Do Overs”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2001, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-scanner-problem-help/92526/3 "2001-11-09T23:24:35Z")

</div>

yep I agree with above, start computer without scanner & then uninstall & reinstall. also try the scanner web site for hints & updates.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\
**Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-scanner-problem-help/92526/4 "2001-11-10T01:02:59Z")

</div>

Firewire, USB, or SCSI?