HP Scanjet 4890 workaround for Vista

I am at a loss for what to do. I upgraded to a new computer and had to buy one

bundled with Windows Vista. The software that came with the HP Scanjet 4890

scanner will not load, even if I stand on my head, and the only thing HP is

offering to make the scanner work is a basic driver........you guessed it,

scanning only documents and pictures. The reason I purchased this model scanner

less than two years ago was so that I can scan negatives (35mm to 8x10). Now

it's just a document and photo scanner. At least it does do that.

I also have an HP photosmart 7150 that is completely without any way to use it.

Again, the driver will not load, but this time HP says they have no solution,

that Windows will have a driver that will work. Well, it does not.

On the other hand, My Epson R2400 is running fine, after downloading a new

version of the driver for Windows Vista. Is HP that lame that they cannot

provide drivers for their recent products for an operating system that they've

known was coming out for several years?

Any one have a workaround ( and please don't say buy a new Epson scanner. I

already know THAT will work!)

Thanks in advance.

DG

Have you checked if Vuescan supports your scanner?

Or..., do you have a Win XP license? You might try getting an OEM license through a clone store.

Mendel,

Thank you very much for the Vuescan suggestion. I've downloaded the free version and I am very impressed with it. Not only does my scanner work again, it scans a lot faster and is much easier to use with Vuescan software versus the HP software. Now I just need to buy the real version of it so the $$$$ watermarks are not all over everything I scan.

Now I need to check into getting the HP printer working again.

Thank you again. You've saved me a lot of frustration!

DG

David, go for the higher priced Pro version of Vuescan. There's no point in saving a few bucks but have some of the functions stripped out (Vuescan raw file function, profiles) and the Pro version gives you a lifetime upgrade license, vs one year.

FYI, we just got my wifes PC Win XP legal recently, with an OEM XP Pro licencse was $165CAN, purchased from a local clone store we deal with. The bill included $1 for screws, to make it part of a "system". It takes a day or two to rebuild a system. I've always found it best to do a fresh install with a formatted system drive. Win XP Pro install can do that as part of the process. Just be sure to back up first. An extra internal drive is indispensable for this (and good whenever).