How to Set Up Your Laptop PC for a New Scanner

Installing a new scanner on your laptop PC is a pretty straightforward process. If you take the time to follow a few simple steps, you'll be scanning photos and documents with your laptop PC in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Scanner
• Installation CD
• USB cable
• Laptop

Instructions

Installation

1. Unpack your new scanner and set it up, but do not connect it to your computer yet.

2. Back up your files. This is always a good idea whenever you're installing new hardware and drivers.

3. Open the Control Panel and go to "Add/Remove Programs." Go through and uninstall programs that you no longer use, particularly if they are imaging programs.

4. Close open programs.

5. Insert the setup CD in your computer's CD or DVD drive.

6. Connect the scanner with a USB cable to the laptop's USB port when prompted to by the installation program.

7. Register the scanner if you have the option.

8. Restart Windows and run a test scan to be sure that everything is working right.

Troubleshooting

1. Check all cable connections to be sure that they are secure.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from the laptop and the scanner.

3. Power down your laptop and let it sit for 10 minutes.

4. Turn the computer on, then turn the scanner on. Reconnect the USB cable to the scanner. Reconnect the USB cable to a different USB port on your laptop.

5. If none of these suggestions solve your problem, uninstall the scanner and start over.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, install the scanner when you have time to complete the entire setup in one sitting.

• These are general instructions that will work for most scanners. Where they differ from the setup instructions that came with your scanner, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish