flashdaddy Loc: Berlin PA

I had two persons within the last few days working on my PC trying to get a Plustek film scanner installed along with the SilverFast software. I still have a call into SilverFast because I can't run my program. Any ideas on the scanner?

The fellow today worked remotely on my computer and said I have too many programs. He also said that I should get rid of PC Matic that it's junk and I don't need to have any anti-virus on my computer since Windows 10 Pro has Defender. He also said I don't need Malwarebytes. What are your thoughts on these 2 programs? He did say to keep CCleaner.

BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

How can you have too many programs on your computer? I think he is saying you have too many programs running at once, particularly virus apps that you don't need. Even if your hard drive was approaching full from all the stuff on it, 9 times out of ten it's not applications but junk that needs cleaned out. If you have so many programs that your hard drives are full, then generally you need a larger hard drive rather than get rid of programs. Of course MicroSloth generally loads up your hard drive with useless apps, games and what not that most probably never use, but even there, as the raw photo folks say, disk space is cheap.

He's probably exactly right that you don't need any anti-virus apps, win defender is more than enough.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

PC Matic is rated as a fairly mediocre antivirus program. Windows Defender is considered better, and Bitdefender (which I use) is often rated in the best category. PC Matic uses a "white list" whereas others use a "black list." If SilverFast is not on PC Matic's white list, PC Matic may prevent it from installing and running.

CCleaner (name was shortened from its original name "crap cleaner") has a checkered past; was hacked twice turning it into malware. But that was several years ago. No reported problems recently.

Malwarebytes is an excellent program, highly regarded, and well worth keeping. It has rescued PCs for me in the past.

BebuLamar

I am scared of CCleaner. When you installed it, it's very difficult to uninstall it. AniVirus software are often just as difficult to get rid off like the viruses themselves.

MJPerini

It is fairly common to get advice from creators of software to "Disable anti virus software for installation"
so that may well be the problem. Also you probably do not need 3 different programs running in the background.
Pick the best.

flashdaddy Loc: Berlin PA

I went in today and deleted PC Matic and then tried to install the SilverFast scanner software, but it didn't work, giving a 193 error code which the person helping me yesterday said it couldn't work with my operating system (Windows 10 Pro, 64bit).

So I sent an email to SilverFast telling them of my problems and who knows where it will end.

Someone mentioned another scanner software called VueScan, does anyone know anything about it? I did mention it in my email to SilverFast, so we'll see where that goes!

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

VueScan is an excellent program.

flashdaddy Loc: Berlin PA

I haven't checked into VueScan yet, but SilverFast is supposed to have something in its software that reduces dust and scratches, I think something to do with an infrared scan. Does VueScan have anything like that?

bschafer

I am using VUESCAN right now to scan negatives, It is an excellent program and does have the option to reduce dust and scratches. It supports a wide range of scanners and is updated frequently,

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

The PC I use has a PlusTek with ViewSonic installed, & I run BitDefender for AV/Malware protection, in addition to numerous other specific applications for photo editing. I originally installed the PlusTek & ViewSonic before Windows 10 came out. Hopefully you have the correct version for Windows 10. As far as 3rd party independent cleaners, I generally stay away from them as often they install other "hidden" things. Have you considered removing the ViewSonic SW, shutting off your PC, waiting a few minutes, turn it back on & reinstalling?

ArcticTrails Loc: Valdez Alaska

I use SilverFast 9ai on Windows 10 pro, 64 bit with no problems. Do you have your scanner connected to the PC and turned on? With sone scanners SilverFast uses the serial number of the scanner as a license key of sort. Call Kitten at SilverFast support in Florida. She should be able to help you. Also you might want to get on their website and download a trial version of the software and try to get it working.

What version of SilverFast are you trying to get working?

Good luck,
Kai

flashdaddy Loc: Berlin PA

To GLSmith: I'm confused, you are saying ViewSonic which was the brand of monitor I used quite some years ago. Do you mean to say VueScan?

To ArticTrails: I have an old serial number belonging to the person I purchased the scanner from and I emailed SilverFast asking about having it registered in my name with a new SN, but haven't heard back on that. I did get an email that would provide a new SN but it was addressed to the previous owner's email. I've been trying to install SilverFast 8 SE but haven't been able to get it to install.

What is 9ai? I assume it is an improvement over 8, but not being able to install any software, I wouldn't know what the difference would be. I guess it would be a cost for me to upgrade to 9ai, can you tell me more? Do you have info on how to reach the gal in Florida as my emails are going who knows where?

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

ViewScan is a most excellent program! The only concern I have with it is I cannot understand how they can maintain such a broad based (hundreds of scanners supported) program and make enough profit to sustain human life. I first discovered it when Nikon gave up supporting my discontinued Coolscan scanner. Their program appears to include all the functionality of the original Nikon program. With Windows from XP (I think) through now Windows 11. Then repeat story with an Epson scanner. Same perfect result. When I bought it the license was good for all updates for a limited time with an option of lifetime options forever. Luckily I paid for the upgrade. Last time I checked the pricing structure was different and more expensive. In order to move the license to a new computer you need the date purchased and a serial number of some sort which, of course, I hadn’t recorded. So I emailed them and they replied where to find them in the register. A couple of years back I bought an Epson V850 flatbed scanner which comes with Epson software and Silverfast software which I installed but when I want to scan prints for example I just launch ViewScan and use it.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

I have a PlusTek 7500i via USB connection, coupled with SilverFast installed version: 8.8.0r25 used with dual ViewSonic monitors.

LaserSoft Imaging (SilverFast) in Sarasota, Fl


LaserSoft Imaging, Inc. 7441 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243. USA ...

1 941 351 9402. Support.

I used them once before & it was resolved in first phone call

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

'Way back, when viruses first started to be a problem, I used McAfee. Eventually it bogged down and I uninstalled it and used something else (don't remember what). But when I got a new Win7 machine around 2014 or 15 Windows Defender was enough to keep it clean without additional antivirus software. Have not had any problem since then except that I get a lot of spam telling me that my PayPal account was used for a McAfee subscription. Ordinarily I might consider that a problem, but I don't have a PayPal account. I have my email filter now set to reject any email that mentions McAfee, either in the title or the body.

I worked for a guy named McAfee once but I doubt that he was involved in that software. Have not had contact with him for 60 years now so I feel free to block that name on my email.