PDF output file from Image Capture corrupted

Question

This problem occurs only when scanning multiple page documents into image capture, the lower 1/4 of the first 2 pages are unreadable blurs. The page shows up ok in the Image capture preview window, but the PDF output is corrupted. The printer is a Brother MFC-7820N, I am scanning 150 dpi grayscale, US letter, no image correction, to PDF. The problem occurs with both of my computers, Quad G5 10.5.8, and a MacBook 10.5.8, this has happened since I purchased the printer, I was running 10.4 at the time. I have just scanned 1 page at a time with no problem, but now I have a large amount of documents to scan and I get the corrupt files. If anyone has seen this and found a solution, I would appreciate any suggestions.

Answer 1

Ah perfect, you made me aware of a feature kink I didn’t know about! When you import stuff using Image Capture, it goes into /private/tmp/Image Capture_Import.(string of numbers and letters).
You can navigate there by going to the Finder, hitting Command-Shift-G, and typing in /private/tmp—if the folder still exists, as it usually does for some time, sometimes even until the next restart or so—you can see the folders which should include one or more of thoe Image Capture_Import.something folders and find your files.
Incidentally, if you want to find a “system” file, i.e., one that’s in a location normally hidden by the Finder, you can:
1. Open up a new Spotlight/Find window in the Finder, and start searching by name.
2. Next to where it says Search: This Mac… etc. there’s a + button. Click that, then
3. From the dropdown menu choose Other… and look in the list for “System files” and check the “In Menu” checkbox for it.
4. Hit OK.
5. Choose “System Files” which is now in the dropdown, choose “are included” from the next dropdown.
Be careful what you do with files you find using this method. It will show everything, including files essential to running your Mac properly, so unless you know exactly what you’re doing, don’t just start dragging files off this window onto your Desktop or anything, try to copy them instead by option-dragging (holding down the option key while dragging)—that way, you’re only making copies, not moving a file from where it’s supposed to be, and your Mac can find it.
Hope this helps! If you can’t find your files this way, there are other programs which can undelete and perform other operations to recover data… this happens to everyone, no matter how long you’ve been a user.