i went to the wacom site and downloaded all the drivers - none of them solved the problem either

What did Wacom tech support suggest? In the future when asking about products not working properly, it helps to state whether you're using a PC or MAC and which operating system.

If Wacom can't resolve your problem and you haven't found anyone else with a similar issue when doing a Google search, since the tablet is USB, why not plug it in only when you need to use it?

I just wanted to add emphasis to Larry Berman's last phrase suggesting only plugging in the Wacom tablet when you are going to use it. There is a good reason for this which is the Wacom tablet gets its power from the USB connection, so if plugged in it is always powered, or ON. So, should one want a relatively expensive device to be ON all the time if it is not being used all of the time. Maybe that's not a good practice, at least that seems logical.

I'm wondering if it makes a difference where in the workflow you turn it on? My Microtek Artixscan 1800f scanner has to be turned on before I launch Photoshop, otherwise Photoshop doesn't recognize it.

I'm surprised a device like the Wacom tablet doesn't have a plug-in for an external power source. It must suck a significant amount of power from the USB port?

Bill,

A scanner's driver to initiate when launched first does a search to locate the device to begin a "dialogue" with the scanner to set up the scan session, it is really not a Photoshop function, it works the same if you are scanning using the driver as a stand-alone application.

The USB 1.0 and 2.0 protocol was designed so that the circuitry does include a separate power provision channel for devices even including a scanner (I have a Canon flatbed scanner that operates entirely through a USB connection without any external power of any kind - nice for laptop users). Thats why some USB devices will not work if connected indirectly through a non-powered hub like the ports on an Apple keyboard. A tablet's power needs are quite small because all that is required is enough to send a location signal as to where on the internal grid the cursor for the pen/mouse/puck is located and what option switches are on or off.

On a Windows XP computer I had before switching back to all Mac for photography work I found when doing some troubleshooting for someone else that using the usb hub which comes on some monitors these days could cause all kinds of problems. Many problems were solved by simply making it a "home run" connection back to the cpu port. Why this occurred I have no clue. I chalked it up to the weird behavior that still happens for no reason on some systems. On some systems in the school where my dad taught until he retired last year, I was asked to come in and help with some similar problems in a CADD lab since the service unit wouldn't support them for the school. Not using the usb connections on the monitors seemed to correct the problem for whatever reason. Like I said, strange indeed since there shouldn't have been a any type of conflict problem like can arise in other connection types. Would definately agree that more information is needed in this instance.

Over the years I have used and tested a lot of CRT monitors and recently LCD displays and never ran into any USB hub problems with those monitors and displays that included them - actually few did, but then there are some lower priced consumer brands I have no experience with like Viewsonic. However, in the number of years I have been doing the Digital Help column I don't recall any readers who have brought up any problem with a USB hub in a monitor or display.

I am not trying to cast any doubt on the idea that there are problems that do occur, but maybe it is isolated somewhat to some product brands and PC's?

They were, or I should say are, using IBM with Dell monitors. I have no clue why it was doing that with theirs. I went in with the same idea that you have that it couldn't be a problem with the usb. I figured it had to be a problem with the monitors, wouldn't be the first time a bad batch came out of Dell. Borrowed a similar pc from elsewhere in the school to test that idea and it worked ok. So sat down and went through everything that I could address and when I took the usb connection off from the monitor and plugged a tablet into one of the rear usb ports it booted perfectly each time. Other interesting thing was you could freak the monitors out with a handheld walkie talkie too. Told them to get extensions from the usb cable so they could reach the cpu unit and not spend the time trying to figure it out further as long as they were working ok. That is the one and only time I've ever had something like that come up that shouldn't be happening since I started with computers back with the original Apples. Firewire and SCSI can make you really want to pull your hair out at times though. Thankfully SCSI isn't used that much anymore and then only for specialized uses.

One thing I wonder about with this person's problem is whether they have a loose cable connection and they have to move the copmuter to plug into a usb port. I've run into that before with people that don't understand that yes you turn the little screws down to secure your cable. When they move the computer to unhook or plug back in what they think is the cause they are actually seating and unseating the cable. I have a friend that dad taught that worked for Apple and IBM and oversaw some customer support areas and I was floored by the number of instances this was a cause of probelms. Otherwise, I'm definately with you in that a usb conflict is highly unlikely.

Sounds like a possibly defective USB hub in the Dell monitors. Fortunately I've never had to deal with Dell products although a few friends were stung, but I did have a horrible experience with an IBM computer which they would not stand behind. My good luck was that I bought it with my American Express card and amex refunded my money and stuck the amount back to IBM.

I told them to call up the IBM and CADD sesign reps they worked with. They were too concerned about it being so many systems and the school year was just about to start. Couldn't convice them that just because they were working that day with that work around that it actually solved the problem. Even took the superintendent for the district down to the room and handed him a radio and said key the mic and all the monitors shut off. He was all meek and asked if that was supposed to happen. Couldn't think of a better way to demonstrate that there was a definate problem with the monitors they were supplied. Thankfully dad retired and I don't volunteer there now. Probably wouldn't have any hair left. I've had to deal with the revolving Dell monitor thing myself having one going back, a malfunctioning replacement on the desk and another "new" one in shipment to replace that one.

I'm sorry you are having to deal with a Dell monitor problem. I don't fault you individually for becoming victim to something that has become such an endemic cultural pathology. And that is the whole idea that people can actually get value they are not willing to pay for.

It all began with the first discount stores in the 50's (Corvette) when I was still in my teens and has evolved into WalMart and Dell and every other organization that is selling prices instead of value.

I don't like to see people who have an interest in photography have their enthusiasm diminished by a bad purchase experience that almost always is the result of buying at a "cheap" price. I repeat and repeat, you get what you pay for, but it seems no one listens. Is everyone a sucker for the pitch of getting something for nothing?

I guess I was fortunate to be born during the depression and my parents were always reminding me of the value of money because it was so scarce then. So I think almost automatically why waste it gambling on buying a product I am not sure of it or the seller, just because it seems like a bargain price. "A bad purchase is wasted money", is one of the phrases I often heard as a child from my parents. I've remembered it over the years because I've had plenty of reminders of its truth.

I count myself lucky to have grown up with a grandfather who farmed that was the same way. Instilled in me the same idea that you don't save anything by spending cheap if you have to replace it in half the time. The Dell would have never been my choice but it was a gift so what are you going to do. I'm definately like you and wish people would learn but I know the temptation to save that extra nickle is going to win out with most unfortunately. On the other hand, if everyone I know actually followed my advice I wouldn't get to pick up a few extra bucks here and there working on their computers.