Microtek Artixscan 2500f disassembly for cleaning?

[Gene McCluney]

I can't seem to figure out how to separate the case, to get inside to clean the unit. I am getting some "lines" in my 8x10 neg. scans, that can only be due to dust somewhere in the optical or light chain. Can anybody advise? I am long out of warranty, and I understand that Microtek does not offer service, even though they are a current company with new scanners.

[Ted Harris]

Gene, if you can email me an image of what you are getting I may be able to help. If you haven't yet tried it the most obvious cause for that sort of error is dust or a microscopic fiber in the calibrtion area of the scanner .... this is the long narrow channel in the holder.

I may also be able to assist you with some service from Microtek as well. It is not entirely true that they do not offer service. Finally,while nolonger sold in North America the 2500f is still a current model.

[Gene McCluney]

That is very interesting...regarding the possibility of dust in the calibration area of the glass negative stage. I will check that out. I have retouched all the scans I have done that have this defect..so I will have to do another scan to be able to illustrate the problem.

[Ken Lee]

I can't seem to figure out how to separate the case, to get inside to clean the unit. I am getting some "lines" in my 8x10 neg. scans, that can only be due to dust somewhere in the optical or light chain. Can anybody advise? I am long out of warranty, and I understand that Microtek does not offer service, even though they are a current company with new scanners.

I found that the lines went away when I switched from 16-bit B&W to 8-bit B&W scanning. There was no dust. I saw lines on all scans performed above the glass.

It's a shame, but I am willing to live with it. On a positive note, an 8x10 scanned at 1250 ppi makes one heck of a 16x20 print. Smooth, baby.

[Henry Ambrose]

Try switching between transparent and reflective settings and then back to transparent. When you do this the mechanism flips over and if there is something on it, it might come out.

I vaguely remember something like this on my Agfa 2500 which is the same or similar machine I think. (its been a while)

[Gene McCluney]

Here is an example of the lines I am getting. This is a totally unretouched 8x10 negative, scanned on the Artixscan 2500f. Well...a crop from the neg.

I have tried 8 bit, 16bit, greyscale, RGB, even tried positive, with inverting in Photoshop. I tried the Silverfast software as well as the Microtek software for scanning....no difference. The scanner works fine for other size films with the other film holders, and it works fine for reflective art. I am about to pull my hair out.
Now don't go on about how dirty the neg is, I didn't bother to clean it for this test. and it is an old junk negative anyway.

[Ken Lee]

I recognize those lines. I get the exact same ones. You have my sympathy. I have spent considerable time in Photoshop, removing them.

I have the latest Silverfast and Microtek software, but I found that VueScan gives me the best scans. Have you tried that ?

See http://www.hamrick.com

Gene - I will email you a copy of my VueScan settings if you like. Just send me an email, and I will respond. I'm on the computer most of the day, at work. I will take my laptop with me, which has all the settings, etc.

[al olson]

Do your lines appear longitudinally down the length or partial length of the scan in the direction of the scanner movement?

My i800 exhibits a similar problem with the lines usually appearing in one of the primary colors.

Go to the Microtek technical support web page. Do a search in the FAQ for these line anomalies. Look for the instructions on which data files to delete out of the Microtek directory. Problem solved! ... for the time being.

Microtek apparently stores these anomalies in their data files so that they can be used in subsequent scans.

How innovative!

Hope this helps,

[Gene McCluney]

I recognize those lines. I get the exact same ones. You have my sympathy. I have spent considerable time in Photoshop, removing them.

I have the latest Silverfast and Microtek software, but I found that VueScan gives me the best scans. Have you tried that ?

See http://www.hamrick.com

Gene - I will email you a copy of my VueScan settings if you like. Just send me an email, and I will respond. I'm on the computer most of the day, at work. I will take my laptop with me, which has all the settings, etc.

Ken, sent you an email through your gallery webpage. Your email here is blocked at your request.

Gene

[Ken Lee]

Thanks Al. Is this it ?

Q. My scans show lines. How do I fix this problem?

A. When lines are produced in the scan or other incorrect output problems are present, this is usually due to a corrupt file(s)in the scanner driver's data folder. The contents of the ScanWizard driver data folder need to be deleted in order to get the scanner driver's default settings to reset. Once this has been achieved your scanner should begin producing normal scans. Follow the step-by-step solution "Deleting the contents of the data folder for ScanWizard" by clicking on the link below first and then test your scanner. If "Deleting the contents of the data folder for ScanWizard" does not work, then proceed to the next set of instructions which, are to uninstall and reinstall the ScanWizard driver in Safe Mode.

Note: Select the corresponding version of ScanWizard download and install instructions that apply to your scanner.

Title: Deleting the contents of the Data folder for ScanWizard

Solution 1

Deleting the contents of the data folder for ScanWizard will result in the removal of tempory settings files for the ScanWizard software. By deleting these files you cause all the default setting in ScanWizard to be applied. This allows you to scan as if you were scanning for the first time after installation of ScanWizard. Select the proper version of ScanWizard below and follow the step by step instructions to remove the contents in the data folder.

Deleting contents of Data Folder for ScanWizard 2.48 through ScanWizard 2.60

1. Close all Windows programs that are open.
2. From the Desktop double click on the My Computer.
3. Locate the C: (Drive) in the My Computer window and double click on it.
4. A List of folders contained in the C: Drive will display. Locate the Windows or Windows NT folder and double click on it.
5. Inside the Windows or Windows NT folder you find a folder called Twain_32. Double click to open the Twain_32 folder.
6. Inside the Twain_32 folder you will find another folder called Scan Wiz. Double click to open the Scan Wiz folder.
7. Inside the Scan Wiz folder you will find another folder called Data. Double click to open the Data folder.
8. This will display all files within the Data folder. Next, click on Edit menu and then click on select all from the menu, this will highlight all the displayed files.
9. Now delete all files by pressing the Delete key on the keyboard. By deleting these files you are simply is resetting the original default settings for the Microtek ScanWizard driver.
10. Once you have deleted all files close all Windows and return to the Desktop.
11. Finally produce a new scan. If the scan looks good then you have successfully resolved this problem. If the scan still has output problems then you will need to uninstall and reinstall ScanWizard in safemode.

Deleting contents of Data Folder for ScanWizard 5.01 through ScanWizard 5.991

1. Close all Windows programs that are open.
2. From the Desktop double click on the My Computer.
3. Locate the C: (Drive) in the My Computer window and double click on it.
4. A List of folders contained in the C: Drive will display. Locate the Windows or Windows NT folder and double click on it.
5. Inside the Windows or Windows NT folder you find a folder called Twain_32. Double click to open the Twain_32 folder.
6. Inside the Twain_32 folder you will find another folder called Scan Wizard 5. Double click to open the Scan Wizard 5 folder.
7. Inside the Scan Wizard 5 folder you will find another folder called Data. Double click to open the Data folder.
8. This will display all files within the Data folder. Next, click on Edit menu and then click on select all from the menu, this will highlight all the displayed files.
9. Now delete all files by pressing the Delete key on the keyboard. By deleting these files you are simply is resetting the original default settings for the Microtek ScanWizard 5 driver.
10. Once you have deleted all files close all Windows and return to the Desktop.
11. Finally produce a new scan. If the scan looks good then you have successfully resolved this problem. If the scan still has output problems then you will need to uninstall and reinstall ScanWizard in safemode.

Deleting contents of Data Folder for ScanWizard 5.77 through ScanWizard 5.95

1. Close all Windows programs that are open.
2. From the Desktop double click on the My Computer.
3. Locate the C: (Drive) in the My Computer window and double click on it.
4. A List of folders contained in the C: Drive will display. Locate the Program Files folder and double click on it.
5. A List of folders contained in the Program Files folder will display. Locate the Microtek folder and double click on it.
6. A List of folders contained in the Microtek folder will display. Locate the ScanWizard 5 folder and double click on it.
7. A List of folders contained in the ScanWizard 5 folder will display. Locate the Data folder and double click on it.
8. This will display all files within the Data folder. Next click on the Edit menu and then click on select all from the menu, this will highlight all the displayed files.
9. Now delete all files by pressing the Delete key on the keyboard. By deleting these files you are simply is resetting the original default settings for the Microtek ScanWizard 5 driver.
10. Once you have deleted all files close all Windows and return to the Desktop.
11. Finally produce a new scan. If the scan looks good then you have successfully resolved this problem. If the scan still has output problems then you will need to uninstall and reinstall ScanWizard in safemode.

Deleting contents of Data Folder for ScanWizard Pro

1. Close all Windows programs that are open.
2. From the Desktop double click on the My Computer.
3. Locate the C: (Drive) in the My Computer window and double click on it.
4. A List of folders contained in the C: Drive will display. Locate the Windows or Windows NT folder and double click on it.
5. Inside the Windows or Windows NT folder you find a folder called Twain_32. Double click to open the Twain_32 folder.
6. Inside the Twain_32 folder you will find another folder called ScanPro. Double click to open the ScanPro folder.
7. Inside the ScanPro folder you will find another folder called Data. Double click to open the Data folder.
8. This will display all files within the Data folder. Next, click on Edit menu and then click on select all from the menu, this will highlight all the displayed files.
9. Now delete all files by pressing the Delete key on the keyboard. By deleting these files you are simply is resetting the original default settings for the Microtek ScanWizard Pro driver.
10. Once you have deleted all files close all Windows and return to the Desktop.
11. Finally produce a new scan. If the scan looks good then you have successfully resolved this problem. If the scan still has output problems then you will need to uninstall and reinstall ScanWizard in safemode.

Instruction No. STP-00059
Date Created:11/04/04
Date Modified:08/19/05

[al olson]

Yup, Ken, that looks like the instructions.

It does not have to be that detailed, though. Use Windows Explorer to check the files in the directory. The directory should be something like Microtek/ScanWizardPro/data.

Note the files that exist before you follow their procedure. After you have gone through the procedure, examine that directory again. In my case, all of the files are removed. But it pays to verify.

This simplifies the procedure to: (1) Use Windows Explorer to examine the Microtek/ScanWizardPro/data (or something similar) directory; (2) Delete all the files in the directory; (3) Exit Windows Explorer; (4) Start Photoshop or the scanning software.

I find this process much simpler to accomplish.

Good luck! I believe this will work for you.

[Gene McCluney]

Yup, Ken, that looks like the instructions.

It does not have to be that detailed, though. Use Windows Explorer to check the files in the directory. The directory should be something like Microtek/ScanWizardPro/data.

.

Good luck! I believe this will work for you.

I would like to mention, as I am the original poster. I use a Macintosh, so this information is really of no help to me. However I can go to the Microtek website and see if they have info for Macintosh using OS 10.3.9

[Ken Lee]

I would like to mention, as I am the original poster. I use a Macintosh, so this information is really of no help to me. However I can go to the Microtek website and see if they have info for Macintosh using OS 10.3.9

All is not lost. These files are merely in a different location on the Mac. The question is, what are the files (the ones we are supposed to delete) actually called ?

A quick search on the Mac (Spotlight makes this instantaneous) reveals the following folder under Library>Preferences>Microtek Preferences.

In that folder, there are a number of files. One is called User Settings. Another is called Microtek Scanner Prefs v1.1. plus number of files called Microtek Dialog PrefBB, Microtek Dialog Pref1BB, ScanWizardProf Preferences 00, BB, and 1BB.

There is another folder, under this one, called Extra Resources, which contains a file called User Settings

Al Olson: Which one of these match the ones you're supposed to delete from a Windows installation ?

[Gene McCluney]

So what if all this doesn't do the trick? My original question is...how do you get the darned thing open to clean the innards?

[Ken Lee]

Perhaps a physical cleaning should be the last option. There is a reason why these things are sealed. It's not a lawn mower or weed trimmer that we can just fiddle with.

Since there appears to be a genuine fix for the problem - and someone else has already found it to work - why not give it a try ?

I intend to , but Valentine's day is coming - I can't work on this any further for a day or so.:rolleyes:

I have a Windows machine as well as a Mac, and perhaps I can find the files, if we don't hear from Al.

[al olson]

Hi Ken,

I have not looked for instructions on the Microtek support site for Macs, but certainly they must have instructions for the Mac. I would look there first, or talk to tech support.

Just guessing, for configuration control I would expect that the Mac files to have names similar to those under Windows.

My Microtek/ScanWizardPro/data directory contains the following file names:
NFull1F (no suffix)
Untitled1.1FB
Untitled1.1FNB
Untitled1.1FNW
So I would look at the Mac folders that Ken mentioned to see if there are files in there with similar names. Deleting these files gets rid of the striping. Dust would be another problem.

It is my hope, Gene, that this will work for you so you won't have to take the bloody thing apart. They seem to be sealed up pretty good, so I would expect that they were probably assembled in a clean room.

I can't even frame my photos without redoing them several times to get all the dust out. Think of how much dust you will get inside by assembling it yourself. Any dust motes that dwell inside the scanner seem to attract electrostatically up to the glass. It's a PITA.

[Gene McCluney]

It is my hope, Gene, that this will work for you so you won't have to take the bloody thing apart. They seem to be sealed up pretty good, so I would expect that they were probably assembled in a clean room.

I can't even frame my photos without redoing them several times to get all the dust out. Think of how much dust you will get inside by assembling it yourself. Any dust motes that dwell inside the scanner seem to attract electrostatically up to the glass. It's a PITA.

Oh, come on...sealed up??? There are ventilation holes all around the sides and back of the scanner, and there is a gaping hole where the film tray slides in. It is about as sealed up as a coffee filter.

[Henry Ambrose]

Unless this is very different from the Agfa 2500 unit it does come apart. Have you flipped it over to see if there are screw holes on the bottom? Or maybe its at the lid hinges? I know I took mine apart but I can't remember the details - its been along while.

You really should throw out the prefs and try the switch back and forth from reflective to transparent and even scan a reflective piece. Especially the switching back and forth -- I vividly remember mine going wacky and this fixing it. You have tried this?

Shoot a couple of snaps and post them -- maybe seeing your scanner will wake up my memory of how it comes apart.

[Gene McCluney]

Unless this is very different from the Agfa 2500 unit it does come apart. Have you flipped it over to see if there are screw holes on the bottom? Or maybe its at the lid hinges? I know I took mine apart but I can't remember the details - its been along while.

You really should throw out the prefs and try the switch back and forth from reflective to transparent and even scan a reflective piece. Especially the switching back and forth -- I vividly remember mine going wacky and this fixing it. You have tried this?

Shoot a couple of snaps and post them -- maybe seeing your scanner will wake up my memory of how it comes apart.

Yes, I believe the Artixscan 2500f is mechanically the same as the Agfa 2500, except the Artixscan has firewire as well as SCSI.

I have tried flipping back and forth between reflective to transparent many times. I only get the lines with scanning LF negs on the glass plate and it doesn't matter what mode I am scanning in, or what resolution i use.. I do not get lines with scanning 4x5 negs in the 4x5 carrier.

I have turned this thing over in every direction (huh?) and even took off the springy feet to look underneath for screws...nope. There are NO SCREWS visible anywhere on the top, bottom, or sides of the case. Here is an image from the Microtek website illustrating the whole scanner package.

[Ken Lee]

My Microtek/ScanWizardPro/data directory contains the following file names:
NFull1F (no suffix)
Untitled1.1FB
Untitled1.1FNB
Untitled1.1FNW
So I would look at the Mac folders that Ken mentioned to see if there are files in there with similar names. Deleting these files gets rid of the striping. Dust would be another problem.

Al, you're a real gentleman. Thanks for the info.

If removing some of the files will correct the problem, then why not just delete all the folders, and re-install the &*%$! software from scratch ?

[Gene McCluney]

I just did install the latest Scanwizard, and now nothing works, and I deleted my previous version. I am totally messed up.

[Gene McCluney]

I can get it to work with Silverfast, but I have never been able to get silverfast to scan at 2500 for smaller negs in their carriers. i can get it to work with Vuescan, but I am so unfamiliar with Vuescan that my scans don't look so good yet.

I did some dusting thru the sliding door hole where you put the neg holders...got the lines to go down...still have one line...it is dust..there is plenty of dust inside the scanner, I have had it for years. Probably a cobweb up inside the scanner optics. I need to clean it properly, but still can't figure out how to separate the case halves. No external screws except those that hold on the springy feet, and I took those off hoping screws underneath, but no.

[Peter Langham]

Here are direction for opening the scanner. I have them saved from some old post from somewhere, and I think they come from Microtek:

Follow these basic steps:
1. Turn the scanner off.
2. Take the lid off the hinges.
3. Place something in the locking hole towards the back of the scanner and
gently push down.
4. While the locking mechanism is depressed, slide the reflective glass
toward the back position.
5. Clean the scanner with mild detergent and a lint-free rag. Note: Always
spray the detergent on the rag and not directly on the scanner


Hope this helps,

Peter

[Gene McCluney]

Peter, thank you. This tid-bit of information was the key I needed to gain access. I have now cleaned the scanner, optical path, and my issues (fingers crossed) are solved. My scanner actually has a screw on the top sliding plate, you unscrew this screw, then slide the glass backward and lift off. Lo and behold what is revealed but the screws to remove the top case. Whoo boy, success.

[Peter Langham]

Gene,
Glad it helped. Sorry I took so long to reply. I was away from my main computer.
Doesn't weem like there are that many 2500 users out there.

Peter

[ourayphotography]

I have this banding lines problem on my artixscan 2500 like this old forum. Just on jmy B&W 4x5's. Did anyone ever solve it?
Thanks
Michael

[ourayphotography]

this is an old thread, but I am as well pulling hair out trying to stop the banding on my 2500. Has anyone posted instructions on how to get deep inside and clean the right components?
Thanks all