F@#$ing Scanners....

OK, so 2 weeks ago, work had a Tender for excess surplus that were building up.

I had my eye on an HP 3330 Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax (mono), which I'd actually worked with whilst I was in a sub-office 2 years ago, and used quite often to scan my cards.

Anyways, gets it home, and I've been able to scan about 6 cards, and it shat itself already.

I've looked everywhere on the web, and about the only recommendations I can find for what it's telling me is wrong ("scanner error power off and on")... hmmmm, does HP work for M$ or are these "technical terms" all the same shit?

To cut my frustrations, I've just decided to hell with it. It's a spot on printer, and cheap to run (get about 3,500 prints out of an $80 toner).

SO, am going to keep it as a printer, but buy a colour Printer/Scanner.

NOW... need help, need a CHEAP one that will scan my Refractors the way they should be, and the Jersey's/Patches the way they should be (ie. Scan a Green Jersey Green, and NOT BROWN!!!).

Please, any suggestions??

Initially I'm thinking an HP (forget the model #) that Big W had for about $87??

Have you tried this, which relates to your problem on the 3330:

fairly typical of the 33X0 model mfps. The scanner has lost its calibration. Try a factory reset - warning - you will lose custom settings (speeddials, header/fax number etc)
To do a factory reset, power off machine, hold down menu/enter and *, power on machine while holding buttons down and wait for "permanent storage init" to display, then let go of the buttons. After a couple minutes it should be back to a ready state.

You could also try a firmware upgrade:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...epartNum=lj-10438-1&os=Cross+OS&tech=Firmware

My suggestion would be buy any name brand scanner, learn how to use PhotoShop.

I've got a HP Deskjet F380 all in one that I haven't had a problem with, and I've always had problems with scanners at home and at work. I hate them and I hate that damn TWAIN file!

i use lexmark cheap ones
pretty good for me

I've tried some Flash upgrade form hp.com.au that didnt help.

I found a calibration guide also on hp.com.au and that didnt actually work.

I might try the factory reset.

Cheers!!

Mavs- check my bucket, all done with the $87 HP.

Dave,

your scans are fantastic...

trademark moves autos, they are really hard to scan IMO...

i picked up a Brother DCP115C for about $70 at Big W and it works fine, never had a problem with it!

Well, I managed to exchange the HP 3330 with another all in one. (through tender @ work).

I now have a HP 2610. It's colour, and ink, so no more Toner.

But the scanner works fine. Didnt have a CD with drivers, so installed directly through hp.com.au, and after a 260+MB file, it's now running beautifully!!!!

I'll be able to get back to scanning my PC again.