.

.

secret agent girl wrote:Have you found that it matters when you plug the reader in?

As long as Windows recognizes that you plugged in the reader, it shouldn't matter, but I would say that you should make sure that you plug it in before you launch ResScan.

I think the card is getting aligned properly. When I insert it, the light on the reader goes on steady for about 10 seconds, then starts blinking as before inserting the card.

Yeah, it does sound like the reader is recognizing the card.

The Settings don't show any devices to select, the Download button says there are no devices, and no window pops up to help me out. I'll try messing around with the driver some more...can anyone think of a way to help isolate where/what the problem is?

I can think of two things: When you installed ResScan, did you tell it to install the drivers for the reader and/or the USB adapter? Either way, it may not be a bad idea to uninstall and re-install ResScan and make sure that you let it install the drivers for the reader. Also, you should check the hardware settings for the reader in Device Manager. Under the "Reader" tab in the properties window, mine has these settings -- Card Type: MTU (T=0/T=1) -- Card Voltage: Auto Detect -- SFDT is checked.

.

Oops, sorry... It was a typo... It is MCU!

In case this helps, the instructions in the ResScan Manual (pages 12-13) specifically mention that the Card Reader should not be connected to the computer before installing the driver:

Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista

To install the driver for the ResScan Data Card Reader (ACR 38U Smart Card Reader):

1. Do not connect any data card reader to your computer.
2. If not already installed, install ResScan using the ResScan installation CD.
3. Select Data Card Reader in the Windows Start menu (Start > Programs > ResMed > ResScan > Drivers > Data Card Reader).
4. In the Installation Wizard, select the Install option and follow the instructions.

Notes
• Your computer may need to be re-started. If a dialog box advises you to re-start, then you will need to in order to access the card reader.
• There is further information about the reader in the instructions in the reader package obtained from ResMed.

.

.

secret agent girl wrote:Cross your fingers for me.

Fingers, toes and eyes are crossed for you!

.

I give all of you a lot of credit.........I would have not only destroyed the card reader but even the bulls eye 40 posts ago or more. Thankfully, I did not have a lick of problem with the ResScan card reader--and the extra $30 bucks is worth every bit to me. I want computers/card readers, etc to be like televisions--when I hit the on button, they should go on. I don't care how. Good luck!

.

secret agent girl wrote:(DreamOn, thanks so much for your kind wishes--I hope nothing got stuck in that position! )

Nothing got stuck, but I felt a little silly!

Sorry to hear that it's not working yet! I found this older post from sronsen on the forum. Have you tried these instructions, in this order?

A problem has been identified with wireless networking adapters, which isn't applicable in my case. After somehow getting the card reader to work, after a week or so it quit and I had a great deal of trouble getting the drivers installed again without locking up my PC. Here's what worked: Remove the drivers, which is an option in the driver installation program. Reboot and start Windows in Safe mode and install the drivers. Restart the PC in normal mode and plug in the card reader after boot-up is complete.

Perhaps the people who sold you the card reader may have some suggestions, since they're familiar with the hardware. Also, I have NO idea if this would make any difference, but have you tried disabling any antivirus/security software before the uninstall/install? I always close all open programs (including security software) before installing software.

Please let us know what happens....

~ DreamOn

secret agent girl wrote:does seem to be rather primitive. compared to most applications these days.

I agree, ResScan 3.7 does appear rather primitive. Like it was written a decade or two ago....
______________

OK, I have a few more thoughts....

I assume that you do have the correct card reader now, since I see a "U" in the information you posted earlier. But I really have no idea about such things.

Just want to confirm that you are inserting the ResScan card into the reader with the contact area facing up. And are you certain that the homemade card guide is lining everything up correctly? Apparently, it needs to be just right, from what I read.

Also, I have read reports from some that say once they do have the correct reader, they've been able to just plug the reader in, the driver installs automatically, they open ResScan, insert the card and everything works. You may want to try uninstalling ResScan and drivers, reboot, reinstall ResScan only (with all open programs closed?), reboot, plug in the reader and see if the driver installs automatically.

~ DreamOn

.

I received an ACS ACR38U-SPC-R Smart Card Reader yesterday that I had ordered from SecureTech Peripherals Inc. and have since wasted several hours learning why it isn't compatible with ResScan. The fundamental problem is that there are two flavors of ACR38U-SPC-R smart card readers (antique and modern).

In 2001 Microsoft started working with various industry partners on a USB smart card class-driver project to reduce the need for hardware vendors to create device-specific software drivers for smart card readers. That work led to the 2003 release of a USB Chip/Smart Card Interface Devices (CCID) Specification and of Microsoft's release of generic Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 USB class drivers for CCID compliant smart card reading devices. It also led to Microsoft issuing a 2003 "Call to Action for Building USB CCID-compliant Devices." ACS and other smart card reader manufacturers complied with that request and started producing readers that are consistent with CCID specifications. Software developers likewise started releasing computer application programs designed to communicate with smart card readers via CCID drivers.

The problem many of us are having with ResScan not communicating with recently purchased ACR38U-SPC-R Smart Card Readers is due to the fact that those readers have internal firmware designed for compatibility with software driver version 1.1.6.4, which is a CCID driver, whereas ResScan was designed to work with an antique proprietary driver that is not compatible with the 2003 CCID specifications. ResScan 3.7 tries to install driver version 1.1.5.6, but that driver will not install correctly with a CCID smart card reader attached to the computer. Driver 1.1.6.1 is the latest version of a series of non-CCID drivers, but that version also is not compatible with modern CCID smart card readers and won't install correctly if a CCID reader is attached.

ACS still manufactures ACR38 readers that support the old proprietary driver method used by ResScan, but most readers being sold today are CCID compliant. The ACR38U-SPC-R designation doesn't specify the software interface. The "U" simply means it plugs in to a USB port (there is also an ACR38SP that connects to a serial port). "SPC" specifies the type of case. I don't remember what the "R" designates, but is has nothing to do with CCID compatibility.

So the bottom line is that an ACR38 reader that is several years old is more apt to work than a new one, but compatible new ACR38 readers are still being manufactured and are available if you can find one.