Since upgrading to Windows XP Professional the computer has problems between my printer (HP DeskJet 880C) and scanner (CanoScan FB320P). The scanner only operates if I have used the printer during the computer session. If I attempt to use the scanner after using the printer, the following message appears: ‘Parallel port may be used by another application: Error code 0×0060800′. This causes problems if I want to use the computer to scan and print documents (like a photocopier), as I must reboot the computer after each print-job so I can use the scanner. Interestingly enough, the printer works fine at all times. I have tried turning off the printer after the print-job, and installing the latest drivers for the scanner but these did not fix the problem. In the Canon Knowledge Base they suggested buying a USB cable and connecting the scanner to a USB port. Would this fix the problem? If all fails, I am inclined to replace both the printer and scanner, since they are quite old. Would you have any advice on good equipment for home-use? As I need to scan in book format, an ‘all in one’ machine won’t do, since it only scans A4.

I had this exact problem on my old computer configuration, using Windows 2000 with a Canon printer and scanner, connected to the one parallel port. For readers who aren’t aware, in such a configuration both devices want access to the computer parallel port. To allow this, the scanner has a port to which the printer can be connected. So, the scanner plugs into the computer parallel port and the printer plugs into the scanner. This allows the sharing of the parallel port. However, you can then encounter problems, such as the one Anke is experiencing, where one device (generally the printer) wants exclusive access to the parallel port for various reasons, such as bi-directional communication (e.g. so the printer can communicate to the computer when printing is finished). You will be glad to hear the problem you are experiencing is quite common, but difficult (and sometimes not actually possible) to fix. A short-term workaround I used to avoid rebooting the computer was refreshing the devices on the computer. Go to the ‘Start’ menu > ‘Control Panel’ and open the ‘System’ control panel. Click the ‘Hardware’ tab and then ‘Device Manager’ button. At the top of the ‘device tree’, you should see a little computer icon with the name of your computer. Right-click this icon and select ‘Scan for hardware changes’. Once this has completed, close the window and the System control panel and try to use the scanner.

However, we should look at more longer-term solutions to the problem. If your scanner supports USB then buying a cable and connecting the scanner to a spare USB port on your computer would fix the problem, as the printer and scanner would no longer be sharing the parallel port. However, I read the manual for your scanner on the Canon website and your model of scanner doesn’t appear to support USB. I also checked the HP website to see whether your printer supports USB, and it appears that your printer may support USB! I can’t say for sure, as the manual for your model of printer also covered the 895C, 830C, and 810C series of printers, so the USB information may relate to one of these other models. To check whether your printer supports USB, look at the back of your printer for a USB socket above the parallel port socket. The USB socket may look different to the usual flat USB connector - it may look like a square connector instead. This is alright, as this is just a different type of USB connector. If there is a USB connector present, you can buy a USB cable and connect the printer to your computer using USB. However, make sure you buy a USB cable with the correct connectors on one end for your printer and the other end for your computer. You should be able to buy the cable from a computer store like Dick Smith Powerhouse or Harvey Norman Computers. It would also be worthwhile to consult your printer manual, which should contain information on connecting the printer to your computer via USB. Alternatively, you can download the same manual I read from: h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/bpd07116.pdf.

Should your computer not support USB, the next logical step of my inquiries was to check whether HP has updated printer drivers for Windows XP. Unfortunately, they do not and the information on their website instructs the user to install the drivers included with Windows XP. Another possible solution is to buy a USB-to-parallel converter. This device will allow you to connect devices with a parallel port connector to your USB port, through the use of an adapter. They cost around $50 but are somewhat difficult to find.

If you wanted to get a replacement device, unless you wanted to replace both devices, I would suggest that you only replace one device. My suggestion would be to replace your printer, since you have special requirements for your scanner (i.e. large scanning format) which would be difficult (and very expensive) to satisfy, since most scanners on the market are generally only designed for scanning A4. Furthermore, relative to scanners, printers are quite cheap. Just make sure that you buy a USB printer! I have had good experiences with Canon printers in the past and I currently use a HP all-in-one centre with which I am very satisfied. I suggest that you shop around and definitely read reviews on products before purchasing. I find reviews the most valuable source of information on products and I always look at these before buying. The other factor you must consider before purchasing a printer is the ongoing cost of consumables (i.e. printer cartridges). Check how many pages on average you can get from one cartridge, and what is the cost of new cartridges.