Windows Server Twain Scanner Driver Problem

[Chris Smith]

I'm working in a small office that's using Server 2003 and they have
a Ricoh Printer / Copier / Fax. Unfortunately Ricoh does not have Server
2003 specific drivers but I was able to install the whole driver package
running the installer in XP compatibility mode. While everything appears
to work the scanner does not and of course Ricoh technical support has
no comment because Server 2003 is not a supported operating system.

Since they need a scanner to occasionally scan things to send via
email I tried installing a Canon N1220U scanner. Again I was able to get
all the drivers and software to install running the installer in XP
compatibility mode and the scanner shows up in device manager under
Imaging Devices and under properties of that device the self test
returns no error.

However none of the scanning software seems to be able to see any twain
devices leading me to believe that for some reason the twain drivers are
not being properly installed.

Are there any known problems or issues installing twain devices on
Server 2003? Google did turn up one person who seemed to think that
terminal services were somehow responsible and since terminal services
are not required in this environment I disabled that and reinstalled and
still no good.

I did enable the WIA service but since neither of these scanners are WIA
compatible this made no difference. Is there any way or workaround to
get the twain drivers to install?

Thanks,

- Chris

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Chris Smith wrote:
> I'm working in a small office that's using Server 2003 and they
> have a Ricoh Printer / Copier / Fax.

Is this a networked device?

> Unfortunately Ricoh does not
> have Server 2003 specific drivers but I was able to install the whole
> driver package running the installer in XP compatibility mode. While
> everything appears to work the scanner does not and of course Ricoh
> technical support has no comment because Server 2003 is not a
> supported operating system.

Right.
>
> Since they need a scanner to occasionally scan things to send via
> email I tried installing a Canon N1220U scanner. Again I was able to
> get all the drivers and software to install running the installer in
> XP compatibility mode and the scanner shows up in device manager under
> Imaging Devices and under properties of that device the self test
> returns no error.
>
> However none of the scanning software seems to be able to see any
> twain devices leading me to believe that for some reason the twain
> drivers are not being properly installed.

Yup. I think you're SOL here, honestly.
>
> Are there any known problems or issues installing twain devices on
> Server 2003? Google did turn up one person who seemed to think that
> terminal services were somehow responsible and since terminal services
> are not required in this environment I disabled that and reinstalled
> and still no good.
>
> I did enable the WIA service but since neither of these scanners are
> WIA compatible this made no difference. Is there any way or
> workaround to get the twain drivers to install?
>
> Thanks,
>
> - Chris

My advice? Don't install scanner/multifunction drivers on a server even if
they do have W2003 ones available. (Printer drivers are fine.) If this
office needs to scan, get a networkable scanner/multifunction that can scan
to email or to a file share via SMB. If the clients need to scan on their
desks, make sure the device has a software package that you can install on
the workstations to communicate with the scanner.