Vuescan seems to lockup after 7 scans reasonably consistently but not all
the time. It has also locked up after just one (and Epsonscan)
With Vuescan I am scanning a 35mm B/W 16bit gray 4800dpi saving to JPG file
and raw scan to different directories.
I am administrator I hope. I boot straight into Windows desktop. I had a bit
of trouble with booting to login after upgrading SP2 but for some reason
that now by-passes.
I will if I can replicate the problem without using the computer while
scanning. I usually set the batch going and browse the web and other
housekeeping chores
Just goes to show you have to examine all possibilities when faced with
problems.
I still had a few random lockups after this posting below and was resigned
to having to take the scanner in for checking (one week left in warranty).
I opened the case to fit a another HD and noticed the fan over the CPU was
choked with dust. The fins were full thus not allowing air to run over the
P4.
I cleaned them and have left the case open for the time being. I have
successfully scanned 100 negs with Epson and Vuescan since with no problems.
The conclusion is that the CPU was getting overheated/not cooled enough.
This explained the random nature of the lockups as well as the fact it
occurred in the main after a number of scans. The extra load on the CPU from
continual writing and scanning was enough to tip the balance on an
overheated CPU. It also explains why I was able to scan earlier with no
problem. It was a progressive build up of dust (the computer was sitting on
the floor beside the desk)
Lessons: Maintenance needed on the hardware as well as software.
Don't jump to conclusions about software
Check hardware
Luck helps (if I hadn't installed the HD I would be still pondering)
I opened the case to fit a another HD and noticed the fan over the CPU was
choked with dust. The fins were full thus not allowing air to run over the
P4.
It's not only the fans which suffer from dust. Erm... That's electric
fans, not admirers! ;o)
A fine layer of dust all over the cards and the motherboard can cause
all sorts of problems from static electricity onwards.
When I had a desktop as my main machine I used to open it up every 3
months (pull the plug out first!!!!) and give it a good, but careful,
vacuuming.
And while you're at it, push in all the cards and removable chips. If
you hear a nice juicy "crunch" they've managed to wiggle out due to
temperature changes. Finally, "shake hands" with all the cable plugs
(internal and external).
That should take care of practically all intermittent problems.