"The Scanner has reported a hardware error..."

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000105 EndHTML:0000008195 StartFragment:0000002796 EndFragment:0000008159 Normal 0 0 1 464 2648 22 5 3251 11.0 0 21 0 0 I brought a coolscan 9000 the last month without the film holders, software etc just the scanner. A friend of mine sold me it for a good price. I run Leopard in a Powerbook G4 15” 1.2 ghz 2 Gigas ram. I installed the Nikon scan 4 and when I open it the scanner report an error: The Scanner has reported a hardware error... every time that I run the program this message appears. I thought that this was because I hadn’t got the film holders. When the film holders arrive from USA the same problem appears : The Scanner has reported a hardware error... Them I tried Silverfast Software. In this case the scanner report another error: there are not film holder ( or something like that). I uninstalled Nikon Software with the same utility to install it. Reinstall the Software and the same ****** problem. When I switch on the scanner a loud noise came from inside, after this the blinking light stopped and nothing happen ( no calibration, no light inside, nothing). Just one thing. The Scanner has reported a hardware error...
I checked on internet and the solution of switch it of and on doesn’t work. CALL TO THE NIKON SERVICE that’s was my only solution.
Of course I didn’t . The price of the scanner was 300 Pounds.
SO I OPENED IT.
I REMOVED THE SCREWS FROM THE BACKSIDE AND FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE SCANNER. I TOOK THE METALLIC CASE OF: PICTURE 1. After a while looking everything without touch I’m start to check for the connection cables one by one, WHEN DISCOVER THAT ONE CABLE PLUG THAT GOES FROM THE SCANNER TO THE FIREWARE BOARD WAS DESCONECTED…. PICTURE 2 Maybe on the shipping this plug looses his place. SO I SWITCH ON THE SCANNER AND THE PROBLEM DOESN’T APPEAR. Now the problem was that the film holder wasn’t recognising from the scanner. So I followed the steps that most frequently indicate on the web:

1-Close the scan program –
2-Turn off and unplug the scanner
3-Plug the LS9000 back in and turn it on
4-Reopen the scan program

The scanner worked. When I switch on the scanner take a minute or so to calibrate and determinate the film holder. Them I open the Nikon Scan 4 and every looked nice. I could scan my first negative ALELUYAAAAA. So I close everything without the screws so I put the scanner vertical to put back the metal case ones I finished I turned on the scanner and the Nikon program. For my surprise the same ******* error I couldn’t believe it.

I opened it again and I found the cause of the problem . BECAUSE THE SCANNER WAS ON VERTICAL BEFORE, THE METALLIC GUIDE THAT CONNECT WITH THE SERVO WAS MOVED (Move the scanner from one place to another may cause this issue) So with my finger I putted it in the same place. THE SCANNER WORK’S.
After this the only problem was a big loud gnashing and grinding noise that I sorted with CELOTAPE BETWEEN THE TWO PIECES THAT WAS SEPARATED BEFORE.
PICTURE 3
Now the scanner work fine. Sorry for my **** English and I hope that someone can find useful this information.

If you have done what is says and still have the problem, uninstall the software and reinstall. 99% of the time this will do it. If not return it to the seller or send it to Nikon for repair. Did you buy it new from a dealer? If you've only had it two weeks it should be covered by warranty.