[Ham-Computers] Blind Man Vs Scanner

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

I am using a HP 3P black/white flatbed scanner with a special ridiculously 
expensive scanning program entitled Arkenstone OpenBook Unbound version 3.0 
It cost $1,000 and the scanner $399 in 1995. However, it is essential to me, 
as it enables me to "read" regular print, such as newsprint, standard 
typewriter font etc.

Even though it is fourteen years old, the scanner has not been overworked. 
If anything, underworked. About one hour per month, of which it is only 
scanning about six minutes. The resulting scanned text is spoken aloud to 
me, as I am totally blind, and can also be put into any of the dozen or so 
word processing programs it makes available to the user. So being a DOS guy, 
I put the scanned text into Professional Write version 2.22 - the last DOS 
version they released. No matter, as it still works better for me then any 
of the other word processing programs.

About two weeks ago the scanner made a sort of metal on metal friction noise 
and I got a scanning error. Something was preventing the scanning assembly 
from moving completely over the document scan window.

I did my traditional fix, powered her down, picked up the HP 3P scanner, 
dropped it from a height of two inches onto the desktop. Presto! She worked 
again. Well at least for about two weeks anyhow.

The next ime I tried to scan something, no luck!

I am between a rock and a bigger rock. I must find an older scanner such as 
the HP 3p or buy a totally new system! New computer, new scanner, new 
OpenBook software etc. Why? Becausenothing built since Windows 98 SE went 
off the market will work with my present Compaque Prosario system, HP 3P 
scanner and associated software.

This special package cost me almost $1,500 and to be blut and honest, I now 
have terminal cancer, am no longer working and can not afford to replace 
everything. On the other hand, I absolutely need this device to "read" my 
mail, read documents etc. to me. I can 'not' live alone without it.

If I can find a working scanner that I can replace the HP 3P with, I solve 
my problem quickly and affordably. If not, I am ...

No dealer with repair facilities that I have spoken with will touch the 
scanner. They claim once they take it apart that they can not reassemble it 
and align it properly. HP? Thorw  it out and buy a new one!

Unfortunately for me, most people probably threw their old HP 3P b/w flatbed 
scanner away and replaced it with a newer model.

So if any of you have any suggestions as to how I might solve this 
nightmare, I am listening.I believe there was also one or two models by 
Panasonic that worked with this Windows 95 OS also.

Oh yes, I should mention that the scanner does have a card that installs in 
the computer. Since it is simply plugged into the scanner via a cable it 
does not make it difficult at all for me to witch scanners, provided it is a 
HP 3P, that is.

Thank you for your help, it is appreciated.




Duane Fischer, W8DBF - WPE8CXO
E-Mail: dfischer at usol.com
Hallicrafters web site: www.w9wze.net
HHRP web site: hhrp.w9wze.net