UMAX Astra 1220P Scanner not working using Sane

[tlhIngan]

I've seen a few threads here about getting UMAX Astra 1220P scanners to work on Ubuntu 12.04 using Sane.
The advise there is to download Sane 1.0.18 from the developper's website and install it. I did this, but it doesn't work. xsane cannot detect any scanner.
I've posted to those other threads to inquire about any progress people may have made, but the only responses were from moderators closing the thread.

Has anybody had any success installing Sane? The developper's instructions are a little too generic for a Linux noob.
I'm running Lubuntu 12.04, the scanner connects to a parallel port. It worked fine under Windows.

[squakie]

A lot of parallel port scanners won't work with Linux. Things to try:

be sure you are a member of the "scanner" group

try running sane as super user (sudo sane) to see if there is a permissions problem


Things to know:

you would probably need the parport module is loaded

if you are using a hybrid parallel adapter - one that requires a driver in Windows - then you probably will not get the adapter itself to work in Linux.

if you are using something like a parallel to USB adapter so you can plug your parallel scanner in via a cable to a USB port, it may not be possible to get the adapter to work

[tlhIngan]

The parallel port itself works, my printer uses that port without any issues. It's an actual parallel port right off the motherboard.
I'll look into those other things you suggested.
Thanks!

[tlhIngan]

I added myself to the scanner group.
libieee1284 is installed.
sudo umax_pp got the scanning head to turn on and twitch.

What am I missing?

[DuckHook]

What am I missing?

Try installing this driver.

[tlhIngan]

Okay, I'm now getting an output file from umax_pp.
It's gibberish, but it's a start.

xsane still isn't finding any scanners though.
What am I looking for now?
Configuration?

Scanner output file

[mips]

Check your bios as I know you can also set the parallel port to different 'modes'. Just a stab in the dark.

[tlhIngan]

I'll give it a shot, but this scanner was working fine under windows on this pc.

[squakie]

You have to remember Linux is a different animal - and somebody/company wrote the driver for Windows. Do be sure your parallel port is set up correctly, though I assume that since you did get something back that may not be the problem - it may still be the Linux driver.

[tlhIngan]

Tried ECP, EPP and ECP+EPP modes for the parallel port (from the BIOS), nuthin. I reinstalled Windows on a spare hard drive and I'm scanning from there and then fetching the files in Lubuntu. It's annoying, but it works.
I always called this PC a dinosaur (specs in my signature), but I guess parallel ports are from the time the Earth cooled. If anybody ever figures this out in a simpler way than (in)sane, PM me.