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General discussion

Epson scanner distorts image?

Oct 10, 2009 2:17AM PDT

Hi-

I've got a used Epson 1240U scanner. It seems to work fine except for a problem I just noticed as I was trying to scan some drawings. In any setting I try, the scanned image matches up perfectly with the original heightwise, but is slightly stretched in width, progressively more as one moves left to right on the image. In other words, the left side of the scanned image matches the original fine, but one moves toward the right side of the image, the scanned lines are more and more to the right of the lines on the original. By the right side of the drawing, the lines are off by at least an eighth of an inch.

I'm hoping this is a software problem, but I'm fearful something is bent in the scanner. Any ideas. Any help is appreciated.

I've got a USB connection, a Intel-based MacBook running 10.4.11 and I'm printing using an HP Photosmart D5069 printer.

Thanks again-
Chris

Discussion is locked

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Sounds defective.
Oct 10, 2009 2:23AM PDT

Pack it up and try another make or model.

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Hmm..
Oct 10, 2009 2:41AM PDT

I'm fearing I may have to do that, at least for artwork. Thanks.

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I fear that.
Oct 10, 2009 2:45AM PDT

That it is defective since the image distortion is a tapered distortion and not the usual X times Y dimension issue. If I were to take a bet it would be the scanner element and its track is moving away from the scan surface as it moves but there are no user serviceable parts there and if it was a mechanical issue, you would have already thought over if it was out of warranty to dive in and apply the screw drivers and what other tools needed to repair it. However most of these things are just dead when this happens.

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Thanks
Oct 10, 2009 3:29AM PDT

Well, I got it for $25 on Craigslist and it's still fine for documents so I really can't complain.