1200 CP FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How can I e-mail an image?

2. Printer problems.

3. "The scanner is not connected.  Please check the cable."

5. After I install the scanner my mouse acts erratic.

6. During the installation of the software I get an I/O error.

7. After clicking on acquire I get a Twain Error [T009] message.

8. My computer locks up when I use the scanner.

9. When I try to install the Photo Express CD it says I need to set my display at a resolution of 800 x 600 and High Color.

10. I didn't receive a manual with the scanner.

11. When I try to scan using the scan dialog box it says "Image editing application does not exist.  Choose an image editing application before scanning."

1. How can I e-mail an image?

E-mail Using Scan Dialog Box

NOTE: To use the e-mail function, the system must be logged on-line to an Internet service provider or on-line service. The e-mail function is not compatible with all services. Even though the Scan Dialog Box program has an e-mail function, there will be times when it is necessary to attach images to e-mails the "traditional" way. Usually these steps are necessary when the e-mail service doesn’t use an SMTP address (like America Online) or when the Scan Dialog Box is unable to properly connect through the mail server. For these steps, skip to the Attaching Pictures to E-mail tutorial.

Clicking on the E-mail icon brings up the following options:

1. Select the Paper Size from the pull-down menu. The choices include A4, Letter, and, depending on the scanner model, Legal or A3. There is also an option called Auto. This will make the scanner do a prescan first and then crop to the edge of the image so that only it is scanned.
2. Choose the Scan Mode from the pull-down menu. The image can be in Gray, Color or Text (Line Art) mode.
3. Choose a Resolution. The menu gives the options for Normal, Fine or Superfine. Normal is generally the best choice for the majority of images, especially when sending e-mail.
4. Enter the SMTP. SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, which is the protocol used by e-mail servers for outgoing e-mail. It will most likely be necessary to contact the Internet service provider or on-line service to find out what the correct SMTP is for the e-mail service being used.
5. Enter the e-mail address of the recipient in the To: line.
6. Enter the e-mail address of the sender in the From: line.
7. Click the E-mail Setting icon to the right of the To: line. The E-mail Setting window appears.
8. Type the e-mail address of the recipient, just as we did on the original e-mail options screen. Put a subject header in the Subject line and a message in the open space below, much like conventional e-mail. Click the OK button when everything is complete.
9. Once everything is filled in on the e-mail options screen, click on the Scan Command icon on the right-hand side. The Scan Dialog box will disappear and a small progress indicator will appear. After the scan has completed, the image will be sent along with the e-mail message.

Several variables could cause a printing problem. There could be a conflict between the scanner's cover sensor program and the printer, or there could be a connection issue between the scanner and printer. Mustek recommends trying the following procedures to correct any printing problems.

1. Disable the scanner's cover sensor.
2. Check the printer cable.

DISABLE THE SCANNER'S COVER SENSOR 

Mustek recommends this procedure first since it is the easiest and has been known to cause problems in the past. The cover sensor monitors the parallel port using a pinging process to check if the cover on the scanner has been lifted. There have been conflicts in the past with printer drivers that also use a pinging process to monitor the parallel port during a print job. The following procedure will disable the cover sensor.

For Windows 98/ME:

1. Click on "Start"
2. Click on "Settings"
3. Click on "Control Panel"
4. Double click on the "Scanners and Cameras" icon.
5. Highlight the scanner and click on "Properties"
6. Click on the "Events" tab, and put a check mark in the box that says "Disable device events"
7. Click "OK", click "OK" again, and close the Control Panel.
8. Test the printer.

For Windows 95:

In order to use the Mustek Direct Scan program that was previously activated by the cover sensor you will need to double left click on the green scanner icon next to the time in the System Tray. This will activate the program as if the cover had been lifted.

CHECK THE PRINTER CABLE

If you have tried the above suggestion and the printer is still not responding, you may have a hardware related communications problem. The two most common causes of printing problems are a sub-standard printer cable and/or a printer cable that is too long.

First let's address the quality of the printer cable. Mustek recommends using an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1284 compliant printer cable when chaining any device off the pass-through port on the scanner for the best results. The parallel pass-through port on the Mustek scanner is an Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) that is IEEE 1284 compliant. The IEEE 1284 Standard provides an avenue for high speed bi-directional communication that is 50 to 100 times faster than the original parallel port designed by IBM in 1981. A sub-standard printer cable will most definitely impede the communication process. Check the printer cable for the following.

1. The printer cable should have the IEEE 1284 rating printed on the side of the cable. If there is, nothing printed on the side of the cable to indicate the IEEE 1284 rating the cable in most cases is not IEEE 1284 compliant.
2. Count the pins coming from the end of the printer cable that plugs into the scanner. Make sure you have 25 pins. If you have any less your cable may be incompatible or sub-standard.

Secondly, we need to discuss cable length. This is the most common cause for printing problems associated with the installation of the Mustek scanner. You must remember, with the addition of the Mustek scanner you have now added approximately 3' to the total length of the device chain. The signal generated by the print command now must travel that extra distance. The longer the cable length, the weaker the signal becomes as it moves farther away from the source. In most cases, the signal becomes so weak that the printer will not recognize that there is a signal. In some cases, the printer may receive a partial signal that prints out as gibberish. The signal strength of the parallel port, which varies greatly between computer systems, will ultimately dictate how long the device chain can be.

What is the length of your printer cable? The goal is to have the shortest length of cable possible. Measure the distance from your scanner to where your printer will be located. Use a cable that is as close as possible to that length. Mustek recommends 6' or less. Please note that this cable length may still be too long in some instances and an even shorter cable may be necessary.

If you find that the above suggestions still do not solve the problem, you may consider getting an inexpensive bi-directional parallel port card. Simply configure the card as LPT2. Under the Printer Driver Properties in the Windows Control Panel, select LPT2 as the printer port you wish to use. Your printer will now print off the parallel port card. This is usually the least expensive option, although a little more complex than the next suggestion.

You may also consider installing a manual bi-directional parallel A/B switch. We recommend a manual switch since the automatic IEEE 1284 compliant switches are very expensive. With the addition of the A/B switch, you will no longer be using the pass-through port on the scanner, thus relieving any compatibility requirements with the Mustek scanner and the printer. Both options will separate the scanner and the printer. The parallel port card option is the most convenient to use, but the A/B switch is easier to install.

This error message occurs if the Scan function of the scan dialog box does not have an image editing application selected to display the image after the scan.  Usually this is because Photo Express 2.0 SE has not been installed yet.  To resolve this issue, install the Photo Express CD, and the scan dialog box will choose the program by default. ;

Paragon Page Color FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Selecting the proper scanner when installing the Scanner Solutions CD.

2. Error message: "Make sure: 1. the Scanner is turned on 2. the cables are connected 3. the Scanner is setup correctly and card address does not conflict with other devices."

3. Error messages: "Scanner Not Ready," "Scanner Out of Control," or the scanner never finishes warming up.

4. A Fatal Exception Error occurs during installation of the TWAIN driver, or Fatal Exception Errors occur during scanning.

5. Error message: "Cannot Find Wing32s.exe" or "Cannot Find Mustek.scr."

6. Error message: "Driver Not Found."

7. Error message: "Scan Area Is Invalid."

1. Selecting the proper scanner when installing the Scanner Solutions CD.

Cause: The Scanner Solutions CD contains the TWAIN drivers and software for about 10 different Mustek scanners. During installation, the default selection begins near the top of the list of scanners on a model which may or may not be the one you are installing.

Solution: Before clicking on NEXT, you must verify that the scanner selected matches the model scanner you are installing. Refer to the scanner model as it appears on the scanner’s box or the front nameplate.

There are two versions of the Page Color sheetfed scanner that are listed on the Scanner Solutions CD. The Paragon Page Color uses an interface card that must be installed in the computer's case while the Plug-n-Scan Page Color connects to the parallel port on your computer.

Both model scanners say Page Color on their face, but only the Paragon Page Color has an interface card which looks like the picture below.

If your Page Color came with the card shown above, and it has just one connector on its rear panel, then during installation choose:

Paragon Page Color (Sheetfed)

from the list of scanners. If your sheetfed scanner did not come with an interface card and has three connectors on the back instead of one, then you have a Plug-n-Scan Page Color.

2. During installation, the error message: "Make sure 1. The Scanner is turned on. 2. The cables are connected. 3. The Scanner is set up correctly and card address does not conflict with other devices."

Cause: The 123 error message indicates that the TWAIN driver cannot locate the scanner's interface card. The Paragon Page Color uses an interface card specifically designed for the scanner which is unlike the cards supplied with other Mustek scanners. This message is telling us that the incorrect scanner was chosen from the list during installation.

Solution: Re-install the Scanner Solutions CD making sure to choose the proper scanner model. Refer to Problem 1 for help on identifying your model.

3. Error messages: "Scanner Not Ready, " "Scanner Out of Control," or the scanner never finishes warming up.

Cause:These error messages occur if the driver is unable to communicate with the scanner, or if the scanner is not powered on.

Solution: It is very important that you make sure that the connections are right, that the scanner is getting power, and that the parallel port is set to the proper mode for the scanner. Try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. The LED light on the scanner above the Stop button will be on if the scanner is getting power. The Paragon Page Color is powered by the computer through its interface card. If the card is properly installed and in operating order, then the scanner should power on whenever the computer is turned on. Follow the tips in Item 2 below to check the interface card.
2. The interface card must be well-seated and making good contact. Make sure:

1. The card was inserted straight into the slot, not at an angle. Inserting the card at an angle can cause damming to the card or slot, or could leave the card unevenly seated. To properly insert a card, set the computer on a flat surface and position the interface card over the slot. Use both thumbs to push the card straight into the slot. The card should snap into place inside the slot.
2. Only the very top of the metal contacts should be visible along the slot edge.
3. The metal contacts should also be clean and free of dust, dirt or oil. Before inserting the card, visually check the card for any dirt or dust on the contacts. A gentle rub with a pencil eraser will clean off the contacts quite nicely.
4. When the card's bracket is screwed into place, make certain the end of the card doesn't lift out of the slot. Interface card brackets don't always line up perfectly with the mounting holes on the computer's case.
5. The Page Color interface card fits only in ISA slots. These are usually made of black plastic and are about 6 inches long. Most computers also have smaller slots called PCI slots. These are usually made of white plastic and are about 4 inches long. Despite its size, a Page Color interface card will not fit into a PCI slot.

3. Check the cable connections in the back of the scanner and the computer to make certain they are tight. Make sure that you are using only the cable that came with the scanner and that there are no extensions attached to it. Verify that the pins on each end of the cable are in good shape and not bent or broken.
4. The driver for the scanner is noted and loads from the Windows system.ini file. It is possible to get multiple entries in the system.ini for the scanner which could conflict with each other. To check for this, do the following:

1. Click on Start and select Run.
2. Type in sysedit and click OK.
3. When the System Configuration Editor appears, close the first three windows, autoexec.bat, config.sys and win.ini, until the system.ini is the open window.
4. Carefully scroll through the entries until you see a bracketed section called [386ENH]. Under this section, you will see several items listed like this:

   device=*vshare
   device=*dynapage
   device=*vcd
   and so on. Scroll through this list looking for the following items:

   device=msfcd.vxd: This is the driver for  your scanner, the Paragon Page Color. It should have only one entry. If you see multiple entries of this driver, you should position your cursor behind the extra line and delete it with the BACKSPACE key. There should only be one entry for msfcd.vxd.

   device=msfcepp.vxd: This is the driver for your the Plug-n-Scan Page Color, a different model Mustek sheetfed scanner which was probably installed inadvertently. If your system.ini has this line along with the line mentioned above, then position your cursor behind this entry and remove it with the BACKSPACE key. If your system has this line, but not the one above, then you will need to remove and re-install your Scanner Solutions CD, this time choosing the correct scanner as explained in Problem 1.

5. If you made changes to the system.ini file, then click on File and Save, then File and Exit. Restart your computer and try using the scanner again. If you didn't make changes to the system.ini, then select File and Exit.

4. A Fatal Exception Error occurs during installation of the TWAIN driver, or Fatal Exception Errors occur during scanning.

Cause: Fatal Exception Errors are usually caused by conflicts between programs that run simultaneously. To see a list of programs currently running on your computer, press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys simultaneously. One or more of the listed programs are preventing the TWAIN driver from installing or running properly.

Click here for installation Fatal Exception Errors.

Click here for scanning Fatal Exception Errors.

Solution 1: If the Fatal Exception Error is occurring during the installation of the TWAIN driver, then it is best to install the TWAIN driver in Windows 95/98 Safe Mode so as to temporarily disable the software that is causing the conflict.

Steps to install the TWAIN driver in Safe Mode:

1. If installing from the Scanner Solutions CD, you must copy the contents of the CD to your hard drive before you boot in Safe Mode because your CD-ROM drive will not operate in Safe Mode. Here are the steps to do this:

1. Insert the Scanner Solutions CD in your CD-ROM drive.
2. Click the Start button and choose Programs, then start the Windows Explorer.
3. Locate the icon for your CD-ROM drive in the LEFT window of the Explorer and double-click it.
4. Highlight the Setup95.exe file as well as all of the folders in the RIGHT window of the Explorer. You don’t need to select Tbcl96.31, Tbcladoc, Setup31.exe, Setupmac.exe or Start.wav files. Holding down the CTRL key will allow you to select more than one item.
5. Click open the File Menu and select Copy then close the Explorer.
6. Using the RIGHT mouse button, click in the lower portion of your Desktop. From the Pop-up Menu, select Paste. The files needed to install Scanner Solutions in Safe Mode will now be copied to your Desktop. You may drag them to the Recycle Bin after installation is complete.

2. Reboot your Computer in Safe Mode. Here are the procedures to do this:

1. Click Start and select Shutdown.
2. Highlight "Restart The Computer?" then click Yes.
3. Your computer will shutdown then restart. During the restart, you will see a message on the screen that says "Starting Windows 95 (or 98)..." When you see this message, hold down the F8 key until you see the Windows Startup Menu. For more information on booting into Safe Mode, click here.
4. Select "3. Safe Mode" and press the Enter key on your keyboard. Your computer will now begin to boot in Safe Mode. Be patient as it takes longer than a normal boot.

3. Now that you are in Safe Mode, you may install the TWAIN driver from floppy disk or from the Scanner Solutions files that were copied to your Desktop. To install from floppy, click Start and select Run then type A:\install and click OK. To install from the Scanner Solutions files on your Desktop, double-click the Setup95.exe icon. Use the Windows 95/98 File Finder to locate the Setup95.exe file if it does not appear on your Desktop. Here are the steps for using the File Finder:

1. Click Start and select Find, Files or Folders.
2. In the Named Dialog Box, type SETUP95.EXE and click Find Now.
3. Once the File Finder locates Setup95.exe, double-click it and the install program will begin to run.

4. After the software is installed, restart your computer in Normal Mode. If you still have trouble scanning, proceed with the steps outlined in Solution 2 for simplifying your Windows 95/98 startup configuration.

Solution 2: When a Fatal Exception Error occurs during scanning, the best solution is to reduce the number of programs that automatically run when you start Windows 95/98. This procedure is more complex than booting in Safe Mode but will make your system more stable in the end.

Steps to simplify startup configuration in Windows 95/98:

1. Click the Start button and select Run.
2. Type SYSEDIT and click OK. This opens the System Configuration Editor which is a simple word processor. Each of your system files will be open in it’s own window.
3. Close the Autoexec.bat file without making any changes to it.
4. In the Config.sys file, locate a line containing the following:
   DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS (there may be additional text here)
5. Type the word REM and one space in front of this line as below:
   REM DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS.
6. Still in the Config.sys file, locate a line containing the following:
   DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE (there may be additional text here).
7. Type the word REM and one space in front of this line as below:
   REM DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE.
8. Click on the File Menu and click Save, then close the Config.sys file.
9. In the Win.ini file, locate a line that says:
   RUN=
10. If there is anything after the equal sign, type the word REM and one space as you did above.
11. Still in the Win.ini file, locate a line that says:
    LOAD=
12. If there is anything after the equal sign, type the word REM and one space as you did above.
13. Click on the File Menu and click Save, then close the Win.ini file.
14. Click on the File Menu and click Exit.
15. Next we will empty the Startup Program Group.
16. Using the RIGHT mouse button, click Start, then click Open and the Start Menu folder will open.
17. Double-click the Programs folder and it will open.
18. Open the Program folder’s File Menu and select New, then Folder.
19. Name the new folder OLD STARTUP then press ENTER.
20. Double-click the Startup folder and press CTRL + A to highlight all of the items in it.
21. Open the Edit Menu and select Copy.
22. Open the Old Startup folder that you just created.
23. Open it’s File Menu and select Paste. The contents of the Startup folder should now be in the Old Startup folder.
24. Double-click the Startup folder and press CTRL + A to highlight all of it’s contents.
25. Press the DEL key and confirm deletion of the items in the Startup folder. These programs will no longer automatically load when you boot your computer. If you wish to undo this later, reverse the above process to move them from OLD STARTUP back to Startup.
26. Close all folders and restart your computer.
27. You may now install the software in accordance with the installation instructions included with your scanner.

NOTE: If you ever need to call your computer manufacturer’s Technical Support line, inform them of the changes you made to the system. Below is a summary of the changes made:

1. Disabled HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE in the Config.sys file.
2. Disabled RUN= and LOAD= lines in the Win.ini file.
3. Emptied the Startup Program Group.

5. Error message: "Cannot Find Wing32s.exe" or "Cannot Find Mustek.scr."

Cause: Some versions of the Scanner Solutions CD install a 32-bit Windows 95/98 screen saver. If you have Windows 3.1 and do not have a special utility from Microsoft which allows 32-bit screen savers to run in Windows 3.1, you will get one or both of these error messages.

Solution: Delete the Mustek Screen Saver. Here are the steps:

1. Open the Main Program Group and double-click the Control Panel icon.
2. Inside the Control Panel, double-click the Desktop icon.
3. Under Screen Saver, choose any screen saver besides the Mustek one.
4. Save and exit the Desktop and the Control Panel.
5. Open the File Manager and delete a file called C:\windows\mustek.scr

If you re-install Scanner Solutions in the future, you will need to repeat these steps.

6. Error message: "Driver Not Found."

Cause: This message is displayed when you attempt to acquire the TWAIN driver in a scanning application or select source.

Solution: The Page Color driver loads in the Windows system.ini file when the computer is booted up, and if the driver had just been installed without re-booting the system, the scanning application would not find an active TWAIN driver. After installation, re-boot the system so the driver may load properly.

7. Error message: "Scan Area Is Invalid."

Cause 1: This error message occurs when the cropping frame is larger than the actual document or photo being fed through the scanner. If you set paper size to Letter, and then run a 4" x 6" photo through a sheetfed scanner, you will get this error message.

Cause 2: The Page Color scanner driver's default paper size is A4. This is a European paper size which is slightly larger than 8-1/2" x 11".

Solution 1: You can just ignore the error message and your document or picture will appear in your host application. You will then see that the scanner scanned an area larger than the original document.

Solution 2: If your document is a standard sized page or photo, make sure you choose the paper size correctly from the drop down list. For full sized documents, choose "Letter" instead of "A4" for the paper size.

Solution 3: If your document is not standard sized, you should set the paper size to custom then prescan the document. Next, set the cropping box to the edges of your prescanned image. Place your document back in the feed tray and scan it again. If the cropping box was set to the edges of your document or inside of the edges, you will not get the error message.

If these steps did not solve the problem, call our Technical Support Department for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions for Macintosh

NOTE: This section contains questions and answers pertaining to ALL of Mustek's scanners. If you need help with a particular error message or on a specific model, please see the Help by Product Model section.

What kinds of cables and adapters can I use with my scanner?

Why does my Macintosh lock up when I turn on the scanner?

Where should I position the scanner on my SCSI chain and will I need a terminator?

What SCSI ID number should I set my scanner to?

What are plug-ins and ISIS drivers?

Does my scanner use TWAIN with a Macintosh?

Do I need to enable Virtual Memory for my scanner?

Can I use RAM Doubler with my scanner?

Can I make images for PCs or the internet using the Color It! program?

Where are the scanner manuals?

Is my scanner Year 2000 Compliant?

What kinds of cables and adapters can I use with my scanner?

It is best to use the supplied 25-pin to 25-pin cable that comes with the scanner. SCSI devices are very dependant on strong, clear signals, and the original cables are designed to those specifications. The Mustek cables are identified by the number 20276 printed on them.

While it is not recommended to use cables longer than 10', if you find that you need a longer cable, contact Precision Cable at (503) 222-4323. Precision Cable offers a variety of cables to individual order and are familiar with the Mustek line of scanners.

Adapters and Docking Ports

When adding your scanner to a SCSI chain, you may need to use an adapter to change the configuration of the pins on your cable. It is best to consult your local Macintosh retailer for reliable SCSI adapters in a variety of configurations. If you have trouble using an adapter with your scanner cable, try using the cable without the adapter (perhaps as the first item on the chain), to verify that the scanner is working.

Most Macintosh Power Book computers do not have the 25-pin SCSI connector that the desktop models have. A scanner can only be attached to these models by way of a docking port adapter, which enables the Power Book to be connected to a SCSI device. We have seen that some docking port adapters may have compatibility issues with some scanners.

Why does my Macintosh lock up when I turn on the scanner?

Turn on the scanner before starting the Macintosh. It is recommended that SCSI devices, such as scanners, be powered up before your Macintosh is turned on. Some models will lock up if SCSI devices are activated while the computer is running. It is safe to turn the scanner off while the computer is running though.

Where should I position the scanner on my SCSI chain and will I need a terminator?

When attaching your scanner to a SCSI chain of devices, it is always recommended to place the scanner in the first or last position in the chain.

In the first position, your scanner will connect directly to the SCSI port on the rear of the Macintosh, and other devices will then be connected to the open SCSI port on the rear of the scanner. If the scanner is in the last position, it is recommended to attach a SCSI terminator to the open SCSI port.

If the scanner is the only SCSI device, it should not require a terminator. Terminators are available from Mustek by contacting our Customer Service Department. Terminators can also be purchased from your local Macintosh retailer.

Mustek recommends a passive terminator in the appropriate size for your scanner: 50-pin Centronics connector for the legal size (8.5" X 14") flatbeds, or 50-pin High Density SCSI II connector for the letter size (8.5" X 11") flatbeds and A3 Pro (11" X 17") flatbeds.

What SCSI ID number should I set my scanner to?

A typical Macintosh can handle several SCSI devices on its built-in SCSI bus. Each SCSI device attached to the computer and several internal devices have SCSI ID numbers. In order to be properly identified by the computer, each device will have its own number, and it cannot match any other device or they will conflict. Two devices sharing the same SCSI ID number will cause lock-ups, bad data or simply not respond at all.

Mustek scanners come preset to SCSI ID # 6, and in most cases this will not need to be changed. If the scanner is being put into a chain, you must check the ID numbers of all the other devices to make sure there will be no conflicts. If the number needs to be changed, you can use 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 as long as no other device is using them. Numbers 8 and 9 on the dial are for testing only while 0, 3, and 7 are generally used by the Macintosh's hard disk, CD-ROM and logic board, respectively.

What are plug-ins and ISIS drivers?

Mustek scanners use two types of drivers for Macintosh: Plug-ins and ISIS. Plug-ins are modules that can interface with a wide variety of different applications by "plugging-in" to that program. Plug-ins are most commonly used with image editing programs, such as Color It! and PhotoShop, and consist of a plug-in module that is placed within the host application. Once plugged-in, the scanner driver is then available as a selection on an Import or Acquire menu. The appearance of plug-ins can vary depending on your system settings. They can look like a simple document to a clearly labeled object.

ISIS drivers are commonly associated with OCR (optical character recognition) software such as TextBridge or OmniPage. An ISIS driver is found as an item in the Chooser that can be selected and linked to a specific program. Most programs will specify whether they use ISIS or Plug-ins to interface with your scanner. They usually appear as a stylized Mustek "M" logo or a small scanner.

Does my scanner use TWAIN with a Macintosh?

Many programs that work with scanners can use a variety of driver interfaces. PhotoShop, Color It! and others can use plug-ins or TWAIN. TWAIN is an interface widely used by many imaging devices, including scanners, and Mustek scanners use TWAIN exclusively on Windows compatible PCs. For Macintosh, Mustek scanners use only plug-in or ISIS drivers. This gives them compatibility with a wide variety of Macintosh software applications.

Do I need to enable Virtual Memory for my scanner?

Images created with a scanner can require a lot of memory due to the size of the photo, the resolution (dpi) and other factors. Virtual Memory is helpful for creating large image files by reserving a section of the Macintosh hard disk for temporary files. This is often more advantageous than just having a lot of RAM, which is going to be used for running programs, not creating files.

Typically, 20 to 30 MB of Virtual Memory is all that needs to be set aside for most scans. You can set aside as much as you wish, but it is best not to use all of the remaining hard disk as this will cause system lock-ups. For information on enabling Virtual Memory, consult the Macintosh FAQ Document.

Can I use RAM Doubler with my scanner?

The RAM Doubler program, which uses a system like Virtual Memory to augment the Macintosh's RAM memory, is not compatible with your scanner drivers. If you are running RAM Doubler and find your system locks-up while scanning, it is recommended to disable RAM Doubler and enable Virtual Memory.

Can I make images for PCs or the internet using the Color It! program?

The Color It! Macintosh image editing software provided with your Mustek scanner allows you to create and save images in several popular Macintosh formats. One of these, the TIF format, can be used to create images for either platform: Mac or PC. For detailed instructions on how to create these files, click here.

Unfortunately, the version of Color It! that is bundled with most scanners does not give you the ability to save images in the JPEG or GIF formats commonly used for e-mail and web sites. If you find that your scanning needs demand these file formats, here are several suggestions:

Contact MicroFrontier: MicroFrontier, the makers of Color It!, offers upgrades to later versions of Color It! which do include the GIF and JPEG options as well other new features. These upgrades are specially priced for customers who received an earlier version of Color It! with their scanner.

Obtain Third Party Software: The plug-in drivers for your Mustek scanner are compatible with a number of other popular image editing programs that may give you the ability to create JPEG and GIF files. Programs like Adobe PhotoShop can be purchased at your local software retailer while shareware programs such as Lemke Software's Graphics Converter can be downloaded from the internet and then registered by sending in a fee.

For information on configuring your scanner with Third Party software, click here.

Where are the scanner manuals?

Most of the scanners (600 II SP, 800 II SP, 800 SP, 1200 SP) had all of their manuals on the Scanner Solutions CD included in the package. When you install Scanner Solutions, it installs PDF versions of the manuals into the folders where the applications are listed.

When you click the icon for one of the manuals, the Adobe Acrobat Reader will start and load the manual file. You can then print the manual or read it online.

A few scanners (1200 III SP, 1200 SP Pro, 1200 A3 Pro) include manuals on the CD, as well as a small guide to the plug-in interface.

Is my scanner Year 2000 Compliant?

By their nature, Mustek products are Y2K Compliant without any modification.