Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro running on Windows 7 (64bit)

[DrTebi]

Today I spend some time in the Windows world (usually I am on Ubuntu) and decided to see if I could get my Minolta Dimage Scan Multi Pro to work on the Windows 7 install. I have a Firewire Card on my PC, which should be faster than USB, so I went that route.

1) I installed the Dimage Scan ver. 1.1.
The install went through, but the software gave me an error when starting up.

2) I found an interesting thread here:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t872019-minolta_dimage_scan_elite_5400_vista
and followed the instructions.

3) I added the Multi Pro to the list of the .inf file, below the "[Models.ntamd64]" section:
"Minolta Dimage Multi Pro" = SBP2Scanner,SBP2\minolta&SCANNER_2887&CmdSetId104D8&GenScanner

4) I followed the instructions in how to update the scanner driver... Windows recognized the scanner, however, the Dimage Scan Software still did not work 😡

5) I decided to give up, and installed the latest Vuescan software trial instead. Once installed, Vuescan told me that my scanner had an outdated driver running... and I clicked "OK" to have Vuescan update the driver.

6) Vuescan did not work for some reason (only tried once though).

7) I started the Dimage Scan Software--and it worked! 🙂

Well, to be honest, I don't know what exactly made it work. I suppose Vuescan installed a driver that the Dimage scan software was happy with. So if you want to try this, you may be able to skip the more complicated steps 3, 4, and 5.

However, it's running perfectly fine now. Just scanned some XPan negs and tried out a few different settings. Before I had to dig out my Macbook to use the scanner, and it was quite a bit slower (my PC is more powerful).

Many of you might prefer Vuescan over the Dimage Scan software; I always liked the simplicity of the Dimage Software (which is why I didn't use Vuescan on Ubuntu), and I am happy I got it running on my workstation PC now.

Maybe this helps someone... good luck 🙂

 

[JayC]

When I bought my Wnidows 7 desktop I was not pleased that my Multi Pro was a paperweight. Then I heard about VueScan. I just need to use it more!

 

[Bob Michaels]

I run a MultiPro on a 64 bit Win 7 machine using Vuescan. Now I am a 10 year Vuescan user and 6-7 years with the MultiPro. But I remember when I upgraded my computer that everything ran automatically after installing the MultiPro driver. Sorry I have no idea why yours did not go as smoothly as mine. I can only tell you that it should be a simple process.

 

[DSkjaeve]

Glad you could get it to work. Did basically the same thing yesterday on two different computers. In the end however it seems it was all in vain. Looks to be an error with CCD (after only one year in my possession). Depressing.

 

[DrTebi]

I run a MultiPro on a 64 bit Win 7 machine using Vuescan. Now I am a 10 year Vuescan user and 6-7 years with the MultiPro. But I remember when I upgraded my computer that everything ran automatically after installing the MultiPro driver. Sorry I have no idea why yours did not go as smoothly as mine. I can only tell you that it should be a simple process.

The Minolta software worked right away too? Even before installing Vuescan?

Glad you could get it to work. Did basically the same thing yesterday on two different computers. In the end however it seems it was all in vain. Looks to be an error with CCD (after only one year in my possession). Depressing.

I am sorry to hear that! I am quite worried that this may happen to me one day as well. As far as I know, there are no more manufacturers that make MF scanners with resolutions this high, except some expensive choices like Imacon.

 

[Bob Michaels]

The Minolta software worked right away too? Even before installing Vuescan? ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I have never tried to use the Minolta software in many years as I find Vuescan gives me better files to work with.

 

[Bobfrance]

Really useful thread!

I've just been trying to install a Multi Pro on my Windows 7 64 bit PC and the info DrTebi posted saved the day - I'm very grateful!

I'd just like to add one point. The line which you copy in to the inf file should not have any spaces in it as it does above. Srangely whenever it's poted on the board a space is autoatically inserted before the '8'

"Minolta Dimage Multi Pro" = SBP2Scanner,SBP2\minolta&SCANNER_2887&CmdSetId104D8&GenScanner

Just delete it.

Once again a big thanks. 🙂

Bob.

 

[DrTebi]

I am glad it helped. Strangely enough, my Dimage scan software stopped worked after I installed Vuescan... I am not sure if it was due to Vuescan, or something else. Nevertheless, I am quite happy using Vuescan, but if you don't own a copy of it, the Dimage software is certainly quite sufficient!

 

[Dave Jenkins]

I gave up on the MacBook Pro and put it up for sale. Just too many obstacles. Last week I got a Dell Inspiron with Windows 7 and installed Photoshop CS without difficulty. Today, I installed the software for my Minolta Dimage 5400 I, but when I attempted to run it, an error message popped up saying there were no drivers available.

The instructions given above in this thread for a fix seemed kinda complicated, so before getting into them I decided to try Vuescan. I downloaded the 30-day trial and scanned a slide. It was terrible -- horizontal color bands top to bottom. So I opened the Dimage software again, and this time it worked! However, the scan was at least two stops too light. I closed the program and turned off the scanner, then restarted everything.

It worked perfectly. Unbelievable!!

I've only scanned one slide so far. Let's hope it keeps on working!

 

[DrTebi]

I gave up on the MacBook Pro and put it up for sale. Just too many obstacles. Last week I got a Dell Inspiron with Windows 7 and installed Photoshop CS without difficulty. Today, I installed the software for my Minolta Dimage 5400 I, but when I attempted to run it, an error message popped up saying there were no drivers available.

The instructions given above in this thread for a fix seemed kinda complicated, so before getting into them I decided to try Vuescan. I downloaded the 30-day trial and scanned a slide. It was terrible -- horizontal color bands top to bottom. So I opened the Dimage software again, and this time it worked! However, the scan was at least two stops too light. I closed the program and turned off the scanner, then restarted everything.

It worked perfectly. Unbelievable!!

I've only scanned one slide so far. Let's hope it keeps on working!

I am glad it worked out for you. As I mentioned in my original post, I am not sure what exactly made the DImage software work on Windows 7. After reading your post, my suspicion is, that Vuescan installs a driver that somehow helps the Dimage software to work.

You shouldn't give up on Vuescan though... I have gone back to using Vuescan by now, because once you do get a grip on all the many features it has, you will get fabulous scans with it. I especially like the white-balance selector, which helps a lot when scanning negatives.