Rant and warning: Nikon LS-2000

[thpook]

I just gave into a bit of GAS and bought a used LS-2000. It's a nice little machine, not everything I want, but everything I can afford.

If you buy one, and run windows XP for the love of god make sure it's updated to the newest firmware before you take it out of the shop.

Here's why: It is a SCSI based system, and the software it comes with won't run on Windows XP (at least, not well). The newer version of the software (Nikon Scan 3.1.2) runs on WinXP, but will only work with the scanner if it's updated to the newest firmware. Guess what software won't run under XP?

That's right, the firmware updater. Not even in compatibility mode. I'm lucky, in that I have more than one computer. One is a linux box that I use for internet, and playing solitaire. The other is my main work box, which runs XP. Also, I kept my disks from when I ran Win2000 and I'm very glad right now that I'm a software packrat.

Here is the sequence you have to follow if it isn't updated to the newest firmware.

1. Have a spare computer with Win2000 on it.
2. Put your SCSI card in the spare, set everything up and update the firmware.
3. Move everything over to your XP computer, and voila! you are setup.

If you have no access to an earlier windows, all is not lost, as Vuescan works with the older firmware. However, it costs money and Nikon Scan is free. Free is good, especially after you have just spent a little bit more money than you can afford.

Hopefully this saves some people from the same frustration that I have gone through today getting this thing to work.

 

[thpook]

It's working! Woohoo!

In celebration, I'm going to post the first photo I scanned, but be aware that I haven't really figured out how to use it completely yet.

Details are: Rollei 35, f/? 1/?, Ilford hp5+ souped in XTOL, rated speed.

 

[titrisol]

download/purchase VUESCAN from Hamrick Software and get high quality scans all the time.

 

[thpook]

If you have no access to an earlier windows, all is not lost, as Vuescan works with the older firmware. However, it costs money and Nikon Scan is free. Free is good, especially after you have just spent a little bit more money than you can afford.

I know all about Vuescan.

 

[berci]

And you are modest. 😉

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I can't even remember all the Win95b HACKS that I made to get an old Microtek 1850 slide scanner to work under it. Microtek states "this scanner can ONLY run on win 3.1". I think that I copied the old 3.1 TWAIN drivers over the ones that came with the WIN95 and then started excluding Windows from using some regions in upper memory.

Just think of what it will be like in 10 years with everyone trying to read their old files...

 

[Kin Lau]

The current version of Vuescan for Linux is no longer free. But if you search around a bit, you'll find the previous version (which is what I'm using).

 

[thpook]

The current version of Vuescan for Linux is no longer free. But if you search around a bit, you'll find the previous version (which is what I'm using).

I might just do that for the rare cases that in which I won't be able to use my XP computer, but Photoshop is a huge part of the reason why I stay with windows on my "work" machine. I know that you can run Photoshop under linux with WINE, but I already have everything setup how I want it now.

 

[thpook]

And you are modest. 😉

What are you talking about, I'm GREAT!

Actually, now that I think about it I could have worded that comment differently.