Thank you all for your input. It's very much appreciated
In brief (and in contrast to the original ambit) ......
Vuescan was tried - it advises no scanner is present. Nice program though.
The latest driver was tried (thanks GG), the first error message I quoted (above) flashed up on the screen again when the scanner was subsequently turned on.
The XP compatibility mode is, I think, only offered with the top shelf versions of W7. I don't have that version and the basic (original) XP compatibility is what I am hoping to establish.
The "automatic update" possible conflict is one with which I tend to agree. I'm reluctant to do a rollback because of other possible complications, but it may be tried as something of a last resort.
Thank you all again,
FoR
Last edited by FullOppositeRudder; 11th Aug 2012 at 11:21.