SOS! Scanner stopped working

[lesged]

My Epson Perfection 4180 Photo Scanner has stopped working.

The power light no longer works, yet I measure 24V at jack from Epson transformer. I have cleaned contacts on jack and socket on scanner but nothing happens when I plug it and press start button or try to scan.

I bought this refurbed scanner from Epson about 3 years ago. It has worked fine up till today. Any suggestions?

[martolod]

My Epson Perfection 4180 Photo Scanner has stopped working.

The power light no longer works, yet I measure 24V at jack from Epson transformer. I have cleaned contacts on jack and socket on scanner but nothing happens when I plug it and press start button or try to scan.

I bought this refurbed scanner from Epson about 3 years ago. It has worked fine up till today. Any suggestions?

well les...
that scanner is an ex scanner
it has passed on
it has gone to meet it's make...etc etc


if you have volts at one end but function in the scanner itself that usually indicates serious problems.possibly a blown crowbar circuit as a result of an underlying fault.
fat that you show 24 volts at the jack...i was of the opinion that the epson's ran on 12 v....

[Major Black]

Martolo is probably right but unplug it from the wall and wait an hour, then try it again.

[martolod]

Martolo is probably right but unplug it from the wall and wait an hour, then try it again.

agree...sometimes this will fix even the most serious of problems....just don't try it with a heart Lung Machine........

[lesged]

Kalle and Mark,

Thanks for responding so fast. You threw me a lifesaver, but it was the wrong flavor. I don't like bitter herbs. I tried the one hour respite, but despite how I crossed my fingers, threw salt over my shoulder, btw is it the right one or the left? Tried both and rubbed the rabbit's foot too, even tried the mirror and saw no sign of breath.
 
I put a call in for Dr. Kevorkian for a sweet goodbye.

I tried to fire up a Microtek ScanMaker 3B Plus,  I got at a local yard sale for free. Owner said it worked, but he had no pre USB cables or the power cable. I found the right cables but realized it requires SCSI lnterface. Had that rig once upon a time for a primitive Microtek scanner that never worked right. Stimied! Both were only good for prints, no negative scanning were possible.

Out of desperation, I hooked up my HP PSC 1210 all-in-one, which I used as a scanner before. It worked surprising well for scanning prints, but it can't do negatives.

I'll put an ad in Nelsonfoto WTB/FT/FF forum. Would like to continue using an Epson flat scanner i.e. Photo Scanner 4180 or newer version 4400, capable of scanning 35mm & MF negatives and color transparencies. Because I got to know it well and I don't want to start a new learning curve with another brand of scanners.

Thanks again for your responses.

Les

Note: I edited and expanded the text, today, 5/23.

[melek]

Is there any chance that it has an internal fuse inside the case? But most likely, it's probably what the others say.

And being a computerized device, you could spend the rest of the year trying to figure out what it is. Or you could give it a swift kick and it might start.

But I tend to think that it's toast.

[BillyBob]

Nothing to offer on how to fix yours Les, but Epson.com has the V500 on sale for $179.99 with free ground shipping.

Or the 4490 for $149.99 with free ground shipping.

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/ProductCategory.jsp?cookies=no&oid=-16223&iref=scannerhubflash_001_home-pro-photo_pos1

cheers!
Bill

[lesged]

Mike,

I'm hesitant to open up a camera and even try the simplest of fixes. I don't have a clue how to open my Epson 4180. Don't even see any mounting screw.  I'm taking both Jorn and your advice and will buy a replacement Epson Scanner. The 4490 will serve all my needs. It looks like an update of my 4180  and has Digital Ice, PS elements and shipping is free. All for $109. 

A deal at this time, I can't refuse. I'm very dependent on a scanner for my 35mm and 6x6 negatives, new and old. I have a well equipped darkroom in our house with  enlargers, trays, glass ware, trays, chems and paper. Everything except running water that I never had in any of my darkrooms since 1937 when at age 12 I  started "developing films." I always did the Gunga Din and carried water.

I've gotten lazy in my old age. I'm pleased to take advance of the speed of  converting a negative to a positive image and can enlarge, crop and ...hate to say it......do a little PSing..... to amielerate the image, and load it on my computer, all in a remarkably short time.


 

[lesged]

Billy Bob,

I saw the $149.99 price when I first looked in Epson's own website for scanners, but refurbs were not listed. Jorn's link led me to a different link that had the better price of $109.99 for their factory refurbed  4490.  It has the same guarantee as a new one, IIRC. The 4180 that I bought from Epson, which broke down in 3 years,  was also a refurb. Hey! 3 years for any electronic device is pretty good.

It was only 3 years ago that we replaced the original fridge in the 50 year old house we've lived in since it was built, and still have the original hot water heating system, but things were built to last in 1960.

As mentioned in reply to Mike E.,  it's free shipping and has ICE and PS elements. I have PS7 which works well for me. I'm going with refurb 4490.

Thanks Billy Bob for your interest and suggestions.

[LarryD]

The referb 4490 I got from them I used for 2 years and my daughter has now used it 2 years. and the old 3170 is still kicking around too. I hope I get a few more than 3 out of the V700. but here is also something you may try Les. Uninstall the software reload it and then plug the scanner in and retry. it worked for me when the 4490 did that to me.

[lesged]

Kalle, Mark, Mike, Billy Bob and Larry,

There is no longer an SOS plea. The scanner is now working properly

I thank all of you for responding to my SOS and offering advice and information. The solution for getting the scanner working again was simply to turn on the power switch. I didn't realize I had inadvertently turned off the switch Saturday afternoon.

Larry, it was your suggestion to uninstall then reinstall my 4080 Epson's software that led me to the Eureka moment that lit up the bulb over my head (like in cartoons) and without even looking at the power switch on the side of the scanner, I knew it had to be in the off position. And it was.

This could be sloughed off as a simple accidental mistake. A no big deal event and just explain it to the people I misled, albeit innocently, and forget it.  However, at 84, it is a big deal for me. I’ll explain why in the Thinking Fellers Union forum.

P.S. I thank you, Larry, from the bottom of my heart. I'll send you a reward for saving me from buying the refurb 4490. I'll send a PM with details.

[Tom Hildreth]

Les, I've gone through the same thing with my Epson 3170. The power switch is black plastic and resides in a black plastic area to the right rear of the scanner-easily overlooked. Your a big man for admitting it.  Well, your a big man, I know this from that newspaper photo of you with the fishing gear.

[LarryD]

I expect no reward as this is what I do. thank you for thinking I though am worthy of one.

[lesged]

Tom,

It's a consolation to hear younger folks can also miss the obvious. My Epson 4180 has the same type of camouflage, except it's grey on grey. Btw, it's working fine and dandy.

Larry,

I made a promise to reward you and I will send you something from my photo grab bag that you either never had; or had, got rid of,  and now would like back.

But, alas my memory bank account is dwindling fast and I forgot all about the prize  I promised to send you. Ditto for contacting your daughter to congratulate her on the birthday we both share.  It's on my list, too, but now nearly a month late.

Have a nice Memorial Day holiday Tom and Larry!

[paul ron]

Did you turn on the power switch?