The debian package is the one I've been trying to install. When I couldn't get it to work, I did try converting the RPM package to debian, but that didn't work either.

But, guess what? I just ran Linux 9 system updates again, and this week's updates fixed it! So I'm back to having a working Epson Perfection 1660 Photo scanner. The Workforce 600 still doesn't work in Linux 9.

Before I checked for updates, I tried booting from a Linux 12 CD. On Linux 12, the Workforce 600 scanner works -- but not the 1600 scanner. So it definitely seems to be an issue with the scanner recognition. Weird...but now I have an emergency workaround for bulk scanning until I figure out what the issue is.

Thanks for your continued efforts to help -- I really appreciate it.
best regards
loshakova

How did you try to install the package? What command you used to install?
There wasn't any need of converting RPM package to .deb package when the debian package is available in their website and you can download that.
Again try to install the .deb package on your linux mint 9, maybe this time you get some luck or some trick.
Glad to know that updating the system worked for you.

First, I tried to install the .deb package following the instructions in the installation file that was included in the package. This is the same manual that is linked on this Epson page, subsituting the name of my package in the command string. I got the following error:
bash: ./configure: No such file or directory

Then, I tried to use the instructions in the tutorial here.

I tried both of these several times on different days, and from all levels of the package folder hierarchy -- from inside the Downloads folder but outside the package folder, from inside the package folder but outside the data folder, from inside the data folder, etc. In all cases, I got the following error:
E: Couldn't find package iscan

I hunted around some more and found this. I installed the PPA, but got another package error when I tried to do step 2.

Then, only as a last resort, I tried to convert the RPM package, using the instructions here. That didn't work either.

Just to reassure you, I do understand that I should be installing a .deb package on a Debian OS.

What command you tried to install the package? Did you tried ./configure to install the .deb package?
You don't need to convert the packages all the time, when .deb package is already there on this link.
You just need to download the .deb package and install it that's it.
The command for installing .deb package is-

The .deb command you included above was exactly the command I used. I also tried ./configure. Neither worked. Something must be messed up somewhere.

What were the errors you got while using above command posted in my last post? Also post what command you used.

for sudo -i:

dpkg: error processing iscan_2.28.1-3.ltdl7_amd64.deb (--install):
cannot access archive: No such file or directory
Errors were encountered while processing:
iscan_2.28.1-3.ltdl7_amd64.deb

for ./config:

bash: ./configure: No such file or directory

Do your machine supports amd64 bit architecture packages?

I am not 100% positive about this. Is amd64 the same as 64-bit? I have a Dell Inspiron 580s with an Intel® Core™ i3-550 processor, and I had 64-bit Windows before installing 64-bit Linux.

According to this Epson FAQ page, iscan_2.28.1-3.ltdl7_amd64.deb seems to be the correct package for Linux users who are using Linux Mint 6 or later.

Your laptop's processor is intel and does not support amd64 bit architecture, that's why you're getting the error while installing.

Argh. I feel like such a dummy now. So, which debian package would you recommend that I use? There didn't seem to be another option for ltdl7. I tried downloading iscan-data_1.15.0-2_all, but had similar problems when I tried to install it.

I sure wish Epson provided full support for Linux.

Try to install x86_64 bit architecture package.
On this link there is a package named - iscan_2.28.1-3.tar.gz, download this package and you can convert it into .deb package. Like this -
and then you can install the .deb package like this -

Or other alternative is that you download the package named - iscan-2.28.1-3.x86_64.rpm from the same link and convert it into .deb package, like this -

But first check if alien package is installed on your machine or not, if not then do this -

and then to convert it into a .deb package, you simply run

and then you can install the .deb converted package like this -

Or you can do another thing, after downloading this package iscan_2.28.1-3.tar.gz, extract the package like this -

I tried the first .deb conversion. I got the following error:

dpkg-buildpackage: set CFLAGS to default value: -g -O2
dpkg-buildpackage: set CPPFLAGS to default value:
dpkg-buildpackage: set LDFLAGS to default value: -Wl,-Bsymbolic-functions
dpkg-buildpackage: set FFLAGS to default value: -g -O2
dpkg-buildpackage: set CXXFLAGS to default value: -g -O2
dpkg-buildpackage: source package iscan
dpkg-buildpackage: source version 2.28.1-3
dpkg-buildpackage: source changed by AVASYS CORPORATION <pipsnews@avasys.jp>
dpkg-buildpackage: host architecture amd64
dpkg-checkbuilddeps: Unmet build dependencies: cdbs libgimp2.0-dev
dpkg-buildpackage: warning: Build dependencies/conflicts unsatisfied; aborting.
dpkg-buildpackage: warning: (Use -d flag to override.)

Next, I tried /.config. It seems to have been successful. Woot! However, iscan doesn't show up in the software or package managers. When I try to run it from the terminal, I get the following error:

iscan: error while loading shared libraries: libesmod.so.2: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Sorry for asking again, but can you please once again confirm me that you're looking for drivers for your 1660 scanner, am I right? If not then please make me correct.

After compiling and installing the package did you restart your machine? If not then restart the machine and try again with your scanner.