Question : Problem: Brother MFC will print but can't scan on Dell Optiplex

I have a Brother MFC-420cn connected to a Dell Optiplex GX50 running Windows 2000 SP4.  All aspects of the MFC work fine except the scanner.  The Brother diagnostic software shows the status as "Cannot communicate with the device".  If you try to scan something, the following error message appears:

"MFC-420CN USB cannot be found.  Please make sure your device is ON and interface cable is properly connected to your computer (CC027)".  

I installed the MFC sucessfully on another computer in my office and printing/scanning all work fine, so it's probably the computer and not the MFC.  I tried the repair process that comes with the Brother software & removing and reinstalling the software all with the same results.  Anyone have any ideas on what to try next?

Answer : Problem: Brother MFC will print but can't scan on Dell Optiplex

kwylie,

I've seen some issues before with certain hardware attached to Dell Computers. In once such case, I had a client who purchased a Dell package deal which included an all-in-one machine that they were hyping at the time. We could never get scanning to work, and in fact when we tried, we had to unplug the all-in-one and reboot before we could use the otehr functions. Eventually I was able to get Dell to admit that they hadn't tested the items that they were selling together as a package, and that in fact there was in I/O issue on the Dell when used with that one all-in-one machine. They took it back and substituted another all-in-one mode from the same manufacturer and we didn't have any more problems.

Cheers,
LHerrou