Easy to clean scanner

[NSN]

I have had several scanners in the past, both Canon and Epson. They
all seem to arrive with some dust under the glass. Cleaning the
underside of the glass has been impossible. I am now looking for a
top of the line flatbed scanner, either Epson or Canon. However, if
necessary, I want to be able to get at the underside of the
glass...easily. Does such an animal exist?

Norm

[Silicon Sam]

Post by NSN
I have had several scanners in the past, both Canon and Epson. They
all seem to arrive with some dust under the glass. Cleaning the
underside of the glass has been impossible. I am now looking for a
top of the line flatbed scanner, either Epson or Canon. However, if
necessary, I want to be able to get at the underside of the
glass...easily. Does such an animal exist?
Norm

On my Epson 3170, all I do is remove the 2 screws in the back, lift
the back up, move forward and the top comes off. Clean underside of
glass, replace cover. Guess you could leave the 2 screws out if you
are real lazy, but seriously, it's no big deal.

Can't get any easier than that. Most scanners are easy, once you
know how to take the top off.

[Mike Fox]

For my Microtech scanner, I even went to the manufacturer to find out
how to open it up. Can't be done without damaging the scanner.

Post by Silicon Sam

Post by NSN
I have had several scanners in the past, both Canon and Epson. They
all seem to arrive with some dust under the glass. Cleaning the
underside of the glass has been impossible. I am now looking for a
top of the line flatbed scanner, either Epson or Canon. However, if
necessary, I want to be able to get at the underside of the
glass...easily. Does such an animal exist?
Norm

On my Epson 3170, all I do is remove the 2 screws in the back, lift
the back up, move forward and the top comes off. Clean underside of
glass, replace cover. Guess you could leave the 2 screws out if you
are real lazy, but seriously, it's no big deal.
Can't get any easier than that. Most scanners are easy, once you
know how to take the top off.

[isw]

Post by Mike Fox
For my Microtech scanner, I even went to the manufacturer to find out
how to open it up. Can't be done without damaging the scanner.

I'd be surprised if that's really true -- how do they refurbish ones
that fail final QA at the factory? I'm sure they don't just throw them
away. More likely they just don't want you to say "I followed their
instructions, and now it's broken".

My Microtek s400 comes apart after removing a few screws, but you have
to "pop" a couple of plastic latches -- a little stressful the first
time.

Isaac

[Talker]

Post by isw

Post by Mike Fox
For my Microtech scanner, I even went to the manufacturer to find out
how to open it up. Can't be done without damaging the scanner.

I'd be surprised if that's really true -- how do they refurbish ones
that fail final QA at the factory? I'm sure they don't just throw them
away. More likely they just don't want you to say "I followed their
instructions, and now it's broken".
My Microtek s400 comes apart after removing a few screws, but you have
to "pop" a couple of plastic latches -- a little stressful the first
time.
Isaac

Yes, I had a MicroTek that opened the same way. You had to remove
the two screws that were located in the holes where the lid fits into.
Once you rtemoved those, you had to use a small screwdriver to gentle
pop open the plastic latches on the sides. Once you've done it, it's
no big deal, it's just doing it the first time that was a little
unnerving.<g>
I switched from MicroTeks to a Canon because of a continuing
problem with my MicroTek. The Canon just has the two screws in the
lid's rear mounting holes, and once you've removed those, you just
lift the back of the top up and slide it off.
The manufacturers don't want you to now how to remove the tops,
they want you to go to a repair facility and spend $100 to have the
glass cleaned. I've always wondered why they don't included things
like "Ease of glass cleaning" when magazines do writeups on scanners.
If they used things like that in the writeups, manufacturers would see
their sales fluctuate, depending on how "repair friendly" their
products were.

Talker

[Mike Fox]

I wish you were right. I've got the Scanmaker 4900, but there's not a
screw head or plastic latch in sight anywhere--even pried the rubber
feet off looking. There's a couple pin sized holes through which a
special tool might be inserted, but that's it.

Mike

Post by isw

Post by Mike Fox
For my Microtech scanner, I even went to the manufacturer to find out
how to open it up. Can't be done without damaging the scanner.

I'd be surprised if that's really true -- how do they refurbish ones
that fail final QA at the factory? I'm sure they don't just throw them
away. More likely they just don't want you to say "I followed their
instructions, and now it's broken".
My Microtek s400 comes apart after removing a few screws, but you have
to "pop" a couple of plastic latches -- a little stressful the first
time.
Isaac

[wtrplnet]

Post by Mike Fox
I wish you were right. I've got the Scanmaker 4900, but there's not a
screw head or plastic latch in sight anywhere--even pried the rubber
feet off looking. There's a couple pin sized holes through which a
special tool might be inserted, but that's it.
Mike

Post by isw

Post by Mike Fox
For my Microtech scanner, I even went to the manufacturer to find out
how to open it up. Can't be done without damaging the scanner.

I'd be surprised if that's really true -- how do they refurbish ones
that fail final QA at the factory? I'm sure they don't just throw them
away. More likely they just don't want you to say "I followed their
instructions, and now it's broken".
My Microtek s400 comes apart after removing a few screws, but you have
to "pop" a couple of plastic latches -- a little stressful the first
time.
Isaac

Cleaned my Epson 3490 glass yesterday. Despite 'no user serviceable' parts
warnings, the top came off easily. Removed two screws in the back, gently
popped four molded 'clips' on the side, came off without even any wiring to
remove. Of course they don't want you messing around inside it, warranty
hell for them. Anything that isn't glued together will come apart, you just
have to figure out how.

Alan

[Mike Fox]

You are welcome to come over to my place and show me how.

Mike
San Antonio

Post by wtrplnet
Cleaned my Epson 3490 glass yesterday. Despite 'no user serviceable' parts
warnings, the top came off easily. Removed two screws in the back, gently
popped four molded 'clips' on the side, came off without even any wiring to
remove. Of course they don't want you messing around inside it, warranty
hell for them. Anything that isn't glued together will come apart, you just
have to figure out how.
Alan

[wtrplnet]

Post by Mike Fox
You are welcome to come over to my place and show me how.
Mike
San Antonio

Post by wtrplnet
Cleaned my Epson 3490 glass yesterday. Despite 'no user serviceable' parts
warnings, the top came off easily. Removed two screws in the back, gently
popped four molded 'clips' on the side, came off without even any wiring to
remove. Of course they don't want you messing around inside it, warranty
hell for them. Anything that isn't glued together will come apart, you just
have to figure out how.
Alan

Not sure about your Microtech. I looked at the Epson a couple of times
before I comitted to opening it. I thought they had actually found a way to
make it un-openable. I guess after seeing one on Ebay for $25 barely used I
decided it was worth the risk. I like the scanner a lot and didn't want to
take a chance of wrecking it. Maybe you can find a junk one to experiment
on.

Alan

[Talker]

Post by Mike Fox
I wish you were right. I've got the Scanmaker 4900, but there's not a
screw head or plastic latch in sight anywhere--even pried the rubber
feet off looking. There's a couple pin sized holes through which a
special tool might be inserted, but that's it.
Mike

Mike, try this.....when you raise the lid up, the back of the lid
where it connects to the scanner, can you lift it straight up off the
scanner? If so, raise it up. Now, look into the holes that it came
out of. Do you see any screws in there? If so, unscrew them.
Now, looking through the scanner's glass into the inside of the
scanner, you should see two or three "ribs" on each side of the
scanner. Take a very small screwdriver and place it in the seam on
the outside of the scanner where you see one of those ribs. The seam
is kinda tight, so you might need to wiggle the screwdriver to get it
to go into the seam. Now twist the screwdrive to see if you can pop
open the plastic catches. You need to do this at each rib. If it
doesn't feel like it will pop open, then it might be glued shut and
can't be opened.
I used a small pocket screwdriver to open the seam a bit, then
with the small screwdriver stuck in the seam, I was able to get a
larger screwdriver to fit in the seam. Then I could twist the larger
screwdriver and pop it open.

Talker

[Mike Fox]

Post by Talker
Mike, try this.....when you raise the lid up, the back of the lid
where it connects to the scanner, can you lift it straight up off the
scanner? If so, raise it up. Now, look into the holes that it came
out of. Do you see any screws in there? If so, unscrew them.
Now, looking through the scanner's glass into the inside of the
scanner, you should see two or three "ribs" on each side of the
scanner. Take a very small screwdriver and place it in the seam on
the outside of the scanner where you see one of those ribs. The seam
is kinda tight, so you might need to wiggle the screwdriver to get it
to go into the seam. Now twist the screwdrive to see if you can pop
open the plastic catches. You need to do this at each rib. If it
doesn't feel like it will pop open, then it might be glued shut and
can't be opened.
I used a small pocket screwdriver to open the seam a bit, then
with the small screwdriver stuck in the seam, I was able to get a
larger screwdriver to fit in the seam. Then I could twist the larger
screwdriver and pop it open.
Talker

No Brass ring, and no screws, but thanks for the suggestion.
Mike

[n5kzw]

Post by Mike Fox
I wish you were right. I've got the Scanmaker 4900, but there's not
screw head or plastic latch in sight anywhere--even pried the rubbe
feet off looking. There's a couple pin sized holes through which
special tool might be inserted, but that's it
Mik

Post by isw

Post by Mike Fox
For my Microtech scanner, I even went to the manufacturer to fin

ou

Post by isw

Post by Mike Fox
how to open it up. Can't be done without damaging the scanner

I'd be surprised if that's really true -- how do they refurbish ones
that fail final QA at the factory? I'm sure they don't just throw the
away. More likely they just don't want you to say "I followed their
instructions, and now it's broken"
My Microtek s400 comes apart after removing a few screws, but you hav
to "pop" a couple of plastic latches -- a little stressful the first
time
Isaa

This may be a bit late for you, but I just opened my Scanmaker 4900 an
cleaned the glass; it made a BIG improvement.

DISCLAIMER: You do this at your own risk! Your unit may or may no
work after you have opened it! The process worked for me.

You will need:
- A stiff probe (like an unfolded jumbo paper clip)
- Several screwdrivers
- A hand drill with a small bit (a little larger than your stif
probe)

Remove the lid and cables on your 4900. Looking through the glass a
the sides of the scanner, you can see a plastic tab coming down from th
upper half of the case and latching on the lower half. There is one o
each side of the case. About 3/8" up from the parting line, an
approximately centered on the tab, drill a small hole through the sid
of the upper case. Drill slowly and carefully, and stop as soon as yo
have penetrated the side of the case. Do this on both sides.

In the rear od the case, there are a couple of small holes in the lowe
case. Insert your stiff probe in to one of the holes (angled slightl
upwards) and push the probe in whiler trying to separate the two cas
halves in that corner with a small flat-blade screwdriver. When tha
cornere of the case is separated, slip a screwdriver into the opening t
hold it open while you do the same with the other rear corner of th
case.

Next, insert your stiff probe into one of the holes you drilled an
press in while urging the case halves to separate. When one side i
unlatched, do the other side. With the side latches loose, slip a smal
screwdriver in to the case and slide the scanner carriage toward th
rear of the scanner. If you look toward the front of the scanner, yo
will see the last two latches. You can apply thumb pressuer on th
front of the upper case at the latches to get them to release.

There really isn't enough cable slack to fold the lid back flat, bu
you can hold it up with one hand while cleaning the glass with the othe
hand. I slid the scanner carriage back to the front of the scanne
before closing it up. Close the front latches first

[r***@gmail.com]

Post by NSN
I have had several scanners in the past, both Canon and Epson. They
all seem to arrive with some dust under the glass. Cleaning the
underside of the glass has been impossible. I am now looking for a
top of the line flatbed scanner, either Epson or Canon. However, if
necessary, I want to be able to get at the underside of the
glass...easily. Does such an animal exist?
Norm

The two screws are inside the square holes that the posts for the
hinged top slip into. I missed them the first time, too.

Roger

[-]

Post by r***@gmail.com
The two screws are inside the square holes that the posts for the
hinged top slip into. I missed them the first time, too.

On some of the newer Epsons, there are additional screws under press-in caps
found on the case of the scanner in the area between the glass bed and the
holes for the hinge inserts.

Scanner makers don't want customers opening up the scanners, so they make it
more difficult. It also violates the warranty, so be keep this in mind.

Doug

[isw]

Post by -

Post by r***@gmail.com
The two screws are inside the square holes that the posts for the
hinged top slip into. I missed them the first time, too.

On some of the newer Epsons, there are additional screws under press-in caps
found on the case of the scanner in the area between the glass bed and the
holes for the hinge inserts.

Another thing they do is put a screw under a stick-on label -- like the
one with all the regulatory compliances on it.

Rub labels pressing hard with the edge of your thumbnail to see if you
get little round dents. If so, cut a hole with an X-acto knife.

Isaac

[Silicon Sam]

Post by -

Post by r***@gmail.com
The two screws are inside the square holes that the posts for the
hinged top slip into. I missed them the first time, too.

On some of the newer Epsons, there are additional screws under press-in caps
found on the case of the scanner in the area between the glass bed and the
holes for the hinge inserts.

On my Epson 3170, there are 2 screws under the wells that the hinge
rest into. Lift up the back, and slide forward. On my new Epson
4490, 2 screws in the hinge well, and 2 under the control panel.
Lifts right up. I cleaned the bottom side with some eyeglass cleaner
pre-soaked pads. Worked like a charm.

Sam

[d***@gmail.com]

Post by Silicon Sam

Post by -

Post by r***@gmail.com
The two screws are inside the square holes that the posts for the
hinged top slip into. I missed them the first time, too.

On some of the newer Epsons, there are additional screws under press-in caps
found on the case of the scanner in the area between the glass bed and the
holes for the hinge inserts.

On my Epson 3170, there are 2 screws under the wells that the hinge
rest into. Lift up the back, and slide forward. On my new Epson
4490, 2 screws in the hinge well, and 2 under the control panel.
Lifts right up. I cleaned the bottom side with some eyeglass cleaner
pre-soaked pads. Worked like a charm.
Sam

Is there any way to open a Canon 8800F? I've got all sorts of specks
that must be under the glass and I've tried 2 different scanners, same
model, they both have the specks. I like the scanner otherwise, but
will have to return it if I can't figure out how to get rid of the
dust.

Jeannie

[CSM1]

Post by d***@gmail.com

Post by Silicon Sam

Post by -

Post by r***@gmail.com
The two screws are inside the square holes that the posts for the
hinged top slip into. I missed them the first time, too.

On some of the newer Epsons, there are additional screws under press-in caps
found on the case of the scanner in the area between the glass bed and the
holes for the hinge inserts.

On my Epson 3170, there are 2 screws under the wells that the hinge
rest into. Lift up the back, and slide forward. On my new Epson
4490, 2 screws in the hinge well, and 2 under the control panel.
Lifts right up. I cleaned the bottom side with some eyeglass cleaner
pre-soaked pads. Worked like a charm.
Sam

Is there any way to open a Canon 8800F? I've got all sorts of specks
that must be under the glass and I've tried 2 different scanners, same
model, they both have the specks. I like the scanner otherwise, but
will have to return it if I can't figure out how to get rid of the
dust.
Jeannie

Yes, if the 8800F is the same case as the 8400F. (I think it is).
http://www.carlmcmillan.com/CanonScanner/Canon.htm