STOP PRESS - Problem found - see next post ....
Thank you all again for your input. I've considered every piece of advice offered, and in most cases have acted upon it - or intend to.
Thanks Milo - was hoping for your thoughts. The last computer I tried, (the one I am using now) has never been part of a scanner installation - that it to say - there was no prior scanning or imaging software on it, unless I count the ArcSoft Photo Studio program which I use to 'enhance' photos from my cameras. (BTW I download photos by removing the SD cards from the camera and reading them - long since learned the traps of programs which come from the Camera manufacturer) Still I wonder if Arcsoft does have something in there ...
GG - thank you again. Unfortunately the newest version of the software which came with this scanner won't even let me get as far as looking at the pertinent detail - at least on the most recent try. It flashes a complex message which I'm unable to copy and which essentially says that because it can't see the 9000 scanner, it is not prepared to to any further. (Can't recall what it did on computer B ....)
So, SD I go with your suggestion as the next foray into this puzzle. I do have a spare HDD which will get a fresh install of the XP OS, and then the scanning software will be the next to try without anything else. It will all be done 'off line' and I'll see what happens then.
Thanks again to all who have contributed. It continues to amaze me that this forum stand out in being able to offer such valuable and authentic advice, and always (or mostly) in a helpful and friendly manner without descending into confrontation which one sees too often elsewhere.
Oh yes, the bottle remains unopened. I went flying on Saturday - a very satisfactory antidote for the frustrations of non co-operating computer hardware
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I will report back on how this all develops; I hope with a happy ending.
Regards
FOR