Struggling to get my Nikon Coolscan IV ED working

FWIW, here is my experience today, approximately.

Equipment:

LS40

HP/Compaq 8000 Elite SFF running Windows 7 64 bit pro.

1. Plug USB cable from scanner into FRONT USB port of HP/Compaq

2. Windows finds LS40 but says "Driver install failed."

3. Try to operate LS40 with existing VueScan install: not found.

4. Upgrade VueScan to 9.6.07 (pro). Installer asks permission to install VueScan driver. Answer yes.

5. New VueScan locks up, doesn't recognize LS40. Kill VueScan from Windows Process Explorer.

6. Use Windows device manager to uninstall LS40 device.

7. Turn LS40 off and back on. Windows now says device installed successfully.

8. After several power cycles and reloads false starts, VueScan recognizes and uses LS40!

9. Device Manager now reports driver for LS40 is:

- Driver Provider: Hamrick Software

- Driver Date: 08/21/06

- Driver Version: 1.0.0.52

- Digital Signer: Hamrick Software

I think when I upgraded VueScan, it discovered the LS40 and attempted to install the device driver but failed. I think when I removed the LS40 via Device Manager, this signaled Windows to attempt to "install" it. Apparently the VueScan driver was staged and then installed at that point.

I hope this helps someone (maybe ME a year from now!).