Would like to scan using older scanner

Question

Hello to the Mac family,
Once again I am stuck. I have been a very longtime user of 9.2. I really loved it. Well my slot load 350 finally died. I bought a new I-mac running X.5.2.
I have an old Epson perfection 636U scanner. I would love to be able to scan into Photoshop with this scanner. Money is now really tight so I need to be able to get this to work if possible.
I must say I wish my old apps like "Sound Jam, Pagemaker etc. worked on this new computer.
I went to the Epson site and see that the drivers are for 8.6 to 9.2. I figured these won't work on X.
There must be some sort of generic Twain driver or something that will let me scan.
This is where I need gentle help. If there is a way to scan using this could someone please advise.
Also please remember that I am a total newbie to X. In 9.2 I could download and install to the P.S. prefs folder or put the driver into import/export folder. I knew how to do all that but on X I am having trouble just doing little things like finding my music.
I really would appreciate it if someone could offer step by step help. The scanner is old but it works great. I know I won't have my OCR software etc. I just need to be able to scan pixs to PS.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.......mGb,,,..,,,,,,,,,Jim

Answer 1

Hello Dennis,
First...thanks for the help. I followed your suggestion and I thinkI did it right.
I tried to use the scanner but it doesn't see a scanner. When I go into Photoshop or Imageready, I can select the Twain drivers that are listed from the download. I see 5 drivers and have selected each one. When I select the 640 and try to import it says no device. I did this with all 5 and still no luck.
I rechecked all my connections and have the scanner plugged directly to the computer (no hub).
It really seemed like it would work. Prior to this I had no Twain devices listed.
Do you have any other ideas. I really need to scan and my wife will never OK the purchase of a new scanner. The computer was a large investment for us. It seems as though I should be able to get this scanner to work. I am 100% certain the scanner is good.
As far as the new OS, I am pretty sure in time I will love it. For now it is hard to navigate. In 9.2 I used the exten manager quite a bit. I could trash prefs when having trouble, I knew where most everything was located on the HD. It is just going to be a change and I am not real good with change. Kinda like an old pair of boots, you get to love them......
If you have any other ideas I would really appreciate it, as my wife has several pixs she wants me to scan. These are of recently deceased family members so this is important.....Thanks......mGb.....Jim