20 Most Recent Nikon CoolScan V ED Film Scanner Questions & Answers

Nonsense. Nikon's own site says their scanners don't support Windows7 and suggests using third party software.

tried a different USB port and it worked OK

According to the Nikon site the software for the Coolscan is not compatible for Mac OS Lion, you need to purchase silverfast to get it to work see http://www.scandig.com/filmscanner/nikon/nikon-coolscan-v-ed.html silverfast can be bought from http://www.silverfast.com/ you can download a demo from here to see if it works.

If you switch off the scanner you should then be able to remove the grey film holder, even though the film strip will still be inside. Then, press the small button above the film entry slit to open the front of the holder. Pull up the top cover, ease the bright metal holder strip forward then lift the metal flap that holds down the film strip. At this point you should be able to remove the film strip. Re=assemble and try again. Good luck.

The first thing I'd try is to run the scanner with the Nikon software. When you power on the scanner it goes through a variety of checks, and finally you should have a silent scanner with a solid green light at the front. Start the Nikon software and wait until it finds the scanner, if it doesn't you have a hardware problem with the scanner. If it goes well to this point insert a card or plastic mounted slide and hit Preview. The scanner should then create and image you see on screen. Next step would be to make a scan. If the slide you're trying to scan isn't card or plastic mounted you'll need the Nikon made carrier. Hope this helps.

I have four Nikons we use for commercial scanning. As you've seen the MA21 is a simple device that can hardly fail. There are two prongs that hold the slide down against the metal slider that after scanning ejects the slide. If you pull the MA21 out and put a slide in you can see if there is any undue play. Even if the prongs have worked loose an upright unit should function fairly well. I would suggest the cause of your issue is elsewhere and we've had this from time to time. I would change the USB port the scanner is connected to, maybe swap the cable too, reset / restart the scanner and (from my experience) the problem at some point will go away.

First suggestion would be to connect scanner to another PC to see if the problem persists. Might also help to try to scan with alternative material (mix if slides and negatives) to narrow down where the issue lies. You could also play with features such as Digital ICE on and off. I'm afraid if none of these produce a functioning scanner you will need to contact Nikon to arrange a repair. There is really nothing the typical user can do to fix these machines at home.

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.

Hi,
You should do what the unit and nikon recommends and that is having the unit serviced. You can start the repair process here:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page
That is what I recommend. If you have any other questions or need further assistance please let me know.
Thank you,
Lee

Hi,
you must perform a p.o.s.t. reset. That is:
1) switch off the scanner
2) swithc off the PC
3) disconnect scanner from PC
5) remove the dia/film adapter
6) switch on tyhe scanner and wait untill it booted
7)insert the film/dia adapter
8) connect scanner and PC
9) switch on the PC
it should work now......

Nah i didnt get into any trouble,, feel free to use us anytime!!! I'm happy the scanner worked if you need any more help you know how to find us..Next time that happens with the scanner try unplugging it restart the system and then plug it back in.. :)

Hi james584,

You can open up the feeder to clear any possible jams , dirt inside
If there is any dirt you can see but can't access it you can try using an air blower to remove it.


Or if the above method does not work then open the device and clean all three squared photo-sensors by ISOPROPANOL or similar solution.

They are located on one side only - about one inch distance between them. When these sensors get greasy , the device malfunctions , so you can clean them and it will solve your problem, It has solve mine as well.

Hope this helps ..:) Remember this for future use as well.