SimpleScan problem / HPLIB

[Piers66]

Hello,

I'm trying to scan some A4 documents from an HP 5400c scanner using Simple Scan. The scan seems to work OK, but it's cropping the top couple of inches off the page.

Specifically, the Simple Scan window appears to be shorter and wider than A4, with the original document taking up the full width. When I load the saved image into GIMP, it reports the image size as 2427 x 2893. Given the standard A4 page size I reckon the image height ought to be more like 3432 for the same width.

I've tried changing the page sizes in preferences, but nothing seems to help.

Q: Does anyone know what's going wrong / how I can fix this?

Also, after searching around on Google and in the forum, people seem to be recommending the HPLIP software. I've opened up the Synaptic Package Manager, searched for it, and apparently it's installed on my machine and has the latest version (3.15.2-0trusty4.1), but it doesn't appear under 'All Applications' in my main menu. Not all of the listed packages are installed though, as follows:

hplip - yes
libsane-hpaio - yes
libhpmud0 - yes
libhpmud-dev - no
printer-driver-hpijs - no
printer-driver-hpcups - yes
hplip-dbg - no
hplip-gui - no
hpijs-ppds - no
hplip-data - yes
hplip-doc - no

Q: Do I need to install further packages (out of the list above) to use the main hplip programme?

Q: Will HPLIP give me an alternative way to use my scanner?

Please note that while I was a pretty clued up windows user (XP mainly), I'm a bit of a novice with Linux, and will need some hand-holding!

If anyone can point me to comprehensive (idiots guide!) instructions online that I've missed I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

Piers.

For info:
Dell E6410 2GB RAM
Linux Mint 17.3 Cinnamon 32-bit v2.8.8

[kc1di]

Don't have an answer for your simple scan problem you may want to install hplip-gui as that gives you menu entries for controlling HP printers.
also this ubuntu wiki may be of help. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ScanningHowTo

[dave8671]

I have always used xsane for scanning I do not use simple scan I remove simple scan most of the time. My printer is envy 5530. Xsane uses GIMP plugin give that a try.

[jimallyn]

I have always used xsane for scanning

Me, too.

[kc1di]

I have always used xsane for scanning

Me, too.

Simple Scan is just a front end for sane just like xsane :

Simple Scan is basically a frontend for SANE - which is the same backend as XSANE uses. This means that all existing scanners will work and the interface is well tested.

- From Simple Scan page.

[jimallyn]

Simple Scan is just a front end for sane just like xsane

That is true, but I don't like Simple Scan, therefore I use xsane.

[kc1di]

It's great we have choices