I have a HP Scanjet 5200 that has always worked fine. Last week I installed (or had installed for me, actually) a cable modem. Since then, when I try to use the scanner, I get an error message that says my scanner cannot be accessed because another application is currently accessing the scanner. No other applications are open when I do this!!! This is driving me crazy!! Is it possible the cable modem has something to do with this error message? Has anyone else encountered this problem and know how to cure it? I will forever be indebted to you!! Thanks!
Try uninstalling and reinstalling the scanner software and drivers. Also try visiting HPs website and see if they have updated drivers for your model scannder and OS. For future reference, more info is usually helpful with PC problems, like OS, hardare platform, etc.
Also some info on this issue at Hewlett-Packard.