Hi folks,

I'm interested to purchase a Canon scanner, model CanoScan 4200F, with following spec.;
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...&modelid=10445

This model is unsupported by SANE;
http://www.sane-project.org/cgi-bin/...&bus=usb&v=&p=

The chipset information are available;
http://www.sane-project.org/unsuppor...non-4200f.html

I have been googling around in anticipation to find a backend drive on Internet for this model without result.

Would it be possible to write a backend driver? I'm not programmer in profession. If YES, please advise how to start. Where can I find some examples. TIA

B.R.
satimis

Ain't gonna happen. Canon is the worst. Unless you are an expert at reverse engineering scanner interfaces you won't have a chance (and probably not even then). My 5000F has been useless on Linux for years. Go with Epson or another brand that offers Linux support.

Hi David the H,

Tks for your advice.

The price of CanoScan model is quite interesting. I also have other brands/modes in mind;
HP Scanjet 4370
Epson Perfection 3490 Photo

Epson Perfection 3490 Photo is more expensive than HP and Canon models in my mind. But it is complete supported by SANE, good/complete;

http://www.sane-project.org/cgi-bin/...&bus=usb&v=&p=
Also Summary

SANE suggest us to write the backend driver ourselves. I never did it before so I started searching around.

B.R.
satimis

The problem is, as I understand it, that interfaces are getting so complicated that it's becoming almost impossible to reverse engineer them. So unless the hardware maker releases enough information for it, drivers can't be written. And everything I've heard about Canon is that they pretty much just ignore the Linux market and refuse to offer any help at all.

Epson, OTOH, has a subsidiary, Epkowa/Avasys, that provides drivers for their products. These are binaries wrapped in an FOSS shell, but at least it provides people with a way to use their products. I've been pretty happy with the Epson all-in-one I got to replace the Canon I can't use. It looks like your 3490 is not only supported by the Epkowa drivers, but also by the sane-snapscan backend. A doubly-good choice.

I don't know much about HP either way, but I've heard their Linux printer support is good, so maybe their scanners are supported as well.

I've found that the one of the big secrets to being happy with Linux is to make sure your hardware is supported before you buy it. Otherwise you're liable to have lots of problems.